1 min readNew DelhiOct 24, 2023 02:53 PM IST
First published on: Oct 24, 2023 at 11:40 AM IST
Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat Tuesday cautioned people against attempts to garner votes by inflaming emotions ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. “Think with a calm mind as to who is good and has done good…who is available best,” he said, addressing the annual Dusshera rally and Vijayadashami event at Reshimbaug ground in Nagpur.
Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan was one of the chief guests at the event attended by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The RSS members also organised a ‘Path Sanchalan’ (route march) early Tuesday morning.
In 2022, the chief guest at the event was Santosh Yadav, world’s first woman to climb the Mount Everest, and Bhagwat had emphasised on women empowerment.
Here are some highlights from his speech:
- 01
"Delegates at G20 Summit in India experienced our country’s unity in diversity"
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, in his Dusshera speech, emphasised on India's successful organisation of the G20 summit. "It happens every year but this time the praise for how well the guests were hosted and treated. The announcement of including the African Union on day one was also a milestone," he said.
The RSS chief pointed out that India's leadership gave the country a place in the world.
"Every year, India's pride is increasing in the world. The G20 summit held here (in India) was special. The hospitality of Indians was praised. People from different countries experienced our diversity. They saw our diplomatic skills as well as our honest goodwill. Our leadership gave India a place in the world," Mohan Bhagwat said while speaking at the event.
- 02
"Were extremists across the border involved in Manipur violence?"
Speaking on the violence that had ensued in Manipur the RSS chief said: "In Manipur, when people on both sides of the conflict are seeking peace, which are these forces that are attempting to trigger hatred and violence by causing an incident as soon as any positive step is seen being taken in that direction?"
“For many years, Meitei and Kuki communities have been living together. How did the violence erupt all of a sudden? The conflict benefits external forces. Are external factors involved,” Bhagwat said, while addressing the RSS Dussehra rally in Nagpur.
“Union Home Minister Amit Shah was there for three days. Who actually fueled the conflict? It (violence) is not happening, it is being made to happen,” Bhagwat said.
The RSS chief said he was proud of the Sangh workers who worked in Manipur to restore peace.
- 03
"Lord Ram (idol) will be installed at the temple on January 22"
Mohan Bhagwat also spoke about the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya "...A temple of Lord Ram is being built in Ayodhya...Lord Ram (idol) will be installed at the temple on January 22...On that day, we can organise programmes at our own temples in the whole country..." he said.
- 04
On Israel-Hamas war: World is looking towards Bharat to lead by example based on own Sanatan (eternal) values and Sanskars
Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Mohan Bhagwat asserted that the world is looking towards India to lead by example and show a new path to peace.
Any solution to conflicts like the war in Ukraine or the Gaza Strip, which arise due to a clash of interests and extremism, remains elusive. A lifestyle out of sync with nature is producing a string of new physical and mental- health issues amid unabashed consumerism," Bhagwat said.
"Terrorism, exploitation, and totalitarianism are getting a free run to wreak havoc. It has become abundantly clear that the world cannot counter these problems with its inadequate vision. Therefore, the world is looking towards Bharat expectantly to lead by example and show a new path to peace and prosperity, based on its own Sanatan (eternal) values and Sanskars," he added.
- 05
"Some anti-social people call themselves cultural Marxists or woke but they have forgotten Marx"
The RSS chief said "cultural Marxists and woke elements" are using their influence in media and academia to spoil the country's education and culture. “They take control of the media and academia, and plunge education, culture, politics and social environment into confusion, chaos, and corruption," he said.
"...There are some people in the world and in also India who do not want that India should move forward... They try to create factions and clashes in society. Because of our unawareness and lack of belief, we also sometimes get entangled in it, and unnecessary nuisances are created...If India progresses, they will not be able to play their games; therefore, they continuously oppose. They adopt particular ideologies just for the sake of opposing" he said.
- 06
"World looking up to India to overcome problems"
'Country is moving forward. But while moving forward, we need to show the world. We should not follow anyone else's path. This is reflecting in our government's actions as well,' the RSS chief said urging people to recognise that India is leaving a global mark.
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