“Hindus must wear traditional clothing only. Hindus should not wear Western outfits when they attend public events. Hindus should not speak English. Hindus should eat local Indian cuisine only”. Does that sound good to every Hindu? Well, these are not our words. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief, Mohan Bhagwat, stated what Hindus should do and what they shouldn’t.
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Mohan Bhagwat’s statements did not sit well with some on social media and many Hindus. Reacting to Bhagwat’s remarks, netizens on social media commented, “As Hindus, we will dress, eat, and speak in any way we want to without being told by anyone. We will also oppose your ideology on social media in English, Bengali, and maybe even Hindi.”
As a Hindu, I will dress, eat and speak in any way I want to without being told by anyone, least of all by you Mohan Bhagwat ji. I will oppose and rebut in English, Bengali and maybe even in Hindi on social media to you on ideology https://t.co/hHMWNzITNi #RSS #MohanBhagwat
— Roahan Mitra (@rohansmitra) February 6, 2025
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The incident occurred on Wednesday when RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat inaugurated the Hindu Unity Conference. The event was part of the 113th Hindu Religious Meet at Cherukolpuzha, an annual event held near the Pampa River in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district.
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During the event, Bhagwat said, “Disputes happen when there is selfishness, hate, and separatism among individuals, while Hinduism ensures a vision of equality.” He further said that “Dharma” is the soul of Hinduism, and everyone should practice it individually. Every household should gather at least once a week to pray or discuss whether their current lifestyle is in line with tradition.
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According to reports, Bhagwat said, “We should also think that the language we speak, the places we travel to, and our clothes are aligned with our tradition. We should travel to places in our own localities and visit our own brothers who need help. We should not speak English, and we should eat our local cuisine. While attending events, we should stick to our own traditional clothing styles, not Western outfits,” Bhagwat said.
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Mohan Bhagwat talked about the principles of Dharma. He said, “The world expects Bharat to preserve its heritage and guide the world according to our traditions. The principles of Satya, Karuna, Suchita, and Tapas are the foundations of Dharma, and we should align our lives with these ideals”
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The RSS chief also released a book on Sree Narayana Guru, a social reformer, philosopher, and spiritual leader from Kerala. He led a movement against caste discrimination and promoted equality and spiritual enlightenment. The RSS chief then handed over a copy to Chidanantha Bharati Swami.
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While launching the book, the RSS Chief said, “Dharma must be practised within the framework of rules. Any practice outside these rules should be abolished. As Guru (Sree Narayana Guru) taught, casteism and untouchability are not part of Dharma and must be eradicated”.
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This comes during Mohan Bhagwat’s two-day visit to Kerala. Previously, Bhagwat visited the state from 16 to 21 January. During this visit, Bhagwat covered RSS’s organisational activities.
The Hindumatha Mahamandalam organises the Cherukolpuzha Hindu Convention every year in February. This week-long religious gathering has been significant for over a century. It is one of the largest and oldest religious conventions in Kerala, attracting spiritual leaders, scholars, and devotees from across the state.
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This year marked the 113th edition of the event. The event was inaugurated by Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar, state Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine, Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony, and Leader of Opposition V.D. Sateesan.
A day before this event, Bhagwat spoke at the inauguration of the 50th-anniversary celebrations of Tapasya Kalasahitya Vedi at Rajendra Maidan in Kerala. Here, Bhagwat said, “India’s philosophies (vicharas) and cultural tendencies (sanskaras) must be upheld as they serve as an example for others to follow.”
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Following his two-day visit to Kerala, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat will visit Kolkata today. This visit will be the longest he has ever stayed in the state, at over ten days.
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During his visit in Kolkata Bhagwat will attend a meeting of the Akhil Bhartiya Toli on February 11 and 12. On 13 February, he will visit ‘Madhya Bango’ [middle Bengal,] and on February 14, he will inaugurate a new office of the RSS Sangh. On February 16, Bhagwat will then attend a meeting of ‘Madhya Bango’ workers.
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According to a senior Pracharak, Bhagwat’s visit to Kolkata is crucial. He said, “There has been a huge demographic change in the region. Bengal needs many changes. It’s important that the RSS chief meets members at all levels at this juncture”.
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An RSS leader said: “Bhagwat will visit several districts, including Burdwan, where he is expected to hold his only public rally on February 16. He will also meet regional RSS leaders, local activists, and prominent figures from Burdwan and surrounding areas. These engagements are expected to focus on organisational growth, community outreach, and strengthening ties between RSS leadership and local stakeholders.”
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Meanwhile Bhagwat’s visit comes at the time when Elections in Bengal are due next year.
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