At his last Vijayadashmi address before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat cautioned the Sangh volunteers that debates were about to get “abusive” and needless issues may come up, and that they should keep their “cool”. “Never get provoked. Voters have by now seen everyone, they will choose the available best,” he said, calling for “a feeling of oneness towards the entire country”. In the speech at the event, which is a highlight of the RSS calendar, Bhagwat lauded the government over its organisation of the G20 Summit and asked RSS workers to organise programmes to mark the Ayodhya Ram temple inauguration, while advising against “divisiveness” of caste or community. “People do not get a house on rent in ‘another’ locality,” the RSS chief pointed out, while urging his audience to read Babasaheb Ambedkar’s last two speeches in the Constituent Assembly just like they read RSS founder K B Hedgewar. He also raised Manipur, suggesting that the government had done its best to bring about peace and there were “outside forces” involved. Cautioning against others such as “cultural Marxists, or wokes”, “who use academia to pollute society and fuel hatred and conflict”, Bhagwat said that if society gets divided, the work of these “asuri (demonic)” forces becomes easy. 'Anti-India forces' Like in his previous speeches at the event, Bhagwat made specific mention of many historical figures from all parts of India and their contribution, and emphasised the need to internalise the country’s “timeless values”, focus on efforts for unity and “avoid commentary”. “The basis of our unity over millennia is our all-inclusive culture, with no sense of the Other. Truth, compassion, diligent effort and purity are our culture. This was the culture of Akhand Bharat,” he said. This applies to all castes and communities in India, he said, including those “who may have come in the wake of invasions to this all-inclusive society”. “Our modes of worship may be different. But we have actually been one from time immemorial,” he said. Bhagwat added: “Always mind your tongue. Once you are strong, speak the language of friendship with everyone. I am not pointing in any one direction. Build a strong society that cooperates with the government and administration. All sorts of provocative things are said, but one has to move forward with a calm mind.” “Victimhood isn't a good idea,” he added. “Everyone wants progress, there is competition. There are no victims. Politics may be competitive, but social unity has to be achieved by us outside its ambit.” Bhagwat cautioned that “some people both abroad and in the country” do not want India to move forward. “They are playing one section of society against another. When India rises, they will automatically come under control. They dislike any genuine person – be it a Sangh person or a Communist. They are cultural Marxists, or wokes. They know what Marx said won’t happen, but use it to oppose harmony.” Going on to express concern over the violence in Manipur, he mentioned the government's efforts to contain it, including through visits of Union ministers. “Why are the Meitis and Kukis, who have lived together for long, in so much conflict. It is a border region. Who gains from this? Were there any outside forces? There is a strong government. The Home Minister visited the state. Yet, whenever things calm down, some tragedy happens. Who are these people? It is being fuelled,” he said. 'India's place in world' As the Modi government makes the successful hosting of the G20 Summit, including events across the year and throughout the country, a key plank in the coming elections, Bhagwat said the G20 had established India's standing. “Our reputation is rising. The world saw our harmony and positive energy. The African Union was inducted in the G20 nations. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and women’s empowerment were talked about. India’s distinctive place in the world is now a reality,” he said, in line with what he said last year about India’s “resurgence” and “growing international acclaim”. M “Our nation is progressing in every field,” he said, mentioning advances in digital technology, the mushrooming start-ups, India becoming the fifth largest economy in the world, and the performance at the recent Asian Games. According to the RSS chief, the world is looking towards India to solve its problems, including ecological challenges in the Himalayas, and said the country could teach the West the way to unity in diversity, instead of a misplaced goal of “uniformity”. 'Atmosphere of religiosity' Talking about the Ayodhya Ram temple inauguration, scheduled for January next year, Bhagwat said: “Our Lord Ram, whose picture also adorns our Constitution, will enter his temple in Ayodhya on January 22. We won’t be able to attend the ceremony because of security reasons. We will go some other time. But in our temples, we can build an atmosphere of religiosity and oneness in the whole nation. We can do this by organising small programmes.” The Sangh has been reaching beyond the usual names to call as chief guest for the event. Last year, Santosh Yadav became its first-ever woman chief guest; this time, singer Shankar Mahadevan was present for the function in Nagpur.
