“The crisis ridden world especially during the ongoing war in Ukraine or Gaza Strip is looking at Bharat to show a new path to peace and prosperity based on Sanatan values”: Mohan Bhagwat  

The crisis ridden world especially during the ongoing war in Ukraine or Gaza Strip

is looking at Bharat to show a new path to peace and prosperity based on Sanatan values, Mohan Bhagwat

Sanjay Jog

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday asserted that 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 especially when the world is facing the scourge of fanaticism, arrogance, and hysteria stemming from religious sectarianism. 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.  ‘’Thus, the desire to preserve the identity of Bharat and the identity of the Hindu society is only natural. 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.It’s no surprise, then, that a crisis-ridden world expects Bharat to emerge with a new vision, germane to the times, and based on its own value systems, to meet the contemporary needs and challenges of the globe,’’ he said in his customary address at the Vijayadashami rally in Nagpur which is RSS’s headquarters.

Bhagwat claimed that Bharat has emerged stronger after battling centuries of crises, and our nation is now certainly moving forward on the path of material and spiritual progress.

RSS chief exhorted to cast vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections slated for 2024 keeping in mind the vital issues of unity, integrity, identity and development of the country especially when attempts to harvest votes by inflaming emotions are not desirable. Without directly naming the I.N.D.I.A block, a non BJP front, he warned that to achieve narrow political gains, attempts are being made to forge alliances with undesirable, destructive, all-devouring forces in the country to defeat political rivals saying that this is unwise and harmful. ‘’The society has already become amnesiac, ravaged by all sorts of divisions, and is caught up in a deadly pursuit of selfish interests steeped in jealousy and hatred. That is why these demonic powers are able to get the support of internal or external forces who want to break the society and the nation,’’ he said.

Referring to the Manipur violence, Bhagwat emphasised a need for a political will, concurrent actions and efficiency to resolve the vexed problem especially the mutual conflict between Meitei and Kuki communities. ‘’Simultaneously, the enlightened leadership of the society will also have to play a special role in bridging the gap of mutual distrust that has arisen due to the unfortunate situation between the two communities,’’he noted.  He however, posed a series of questions ‘’Were there extremists from across the border also among those who committed violence? Why, and by whom, was an attempt made to give a communal tinge to this mutual conflict between the Manipuri Meitei and Kuki communities, who were apprehensive about the future of their existence? Who has a vested interest in trying to drag and besmirch an organization like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.’’

‘’Which foreign powers may be interested in taking advantage of such unrest and instability in Manipur, located between Nagabhoomi and Mizoram in this border area? Does the geopolitics of Southeast Asia also have a role in these events? Despite there being a strong government in the country, on whose strength and instigation has this violence continued unabated for so many days? Why did this violence erupt and continue even though there was a state government that wanted to maintain the peace that had prevailed over the last 9 years?’’he asked.

Bats for Swadeshi

Bhagwant said the time is opportune to rid ourselves of the colonial mindset, and embrace from the outside world only what suits our country. ‘’The need of the hour is to adopt our own Swadeshi (indigenous) path of development based on ‘Swa’, by making what is already available in our country appropriate and relevant to the times. It is noted that some policy changes have recently been enacted that align with this distinct vision of the development path,’’ he added.

In the broader society, too, an increasing number of new, successful experiments and innovations in the domain of agriculture, industry and trade-related services, cooperatives and self-employment are taking place. However, in the field of administration, there is a greater need for a similar kind of awakening among the intellectuals who shape the direction and vision in various areas of human activities. ‘’It must be remembered that only a ‘Swa-based’, time-appropriate policy of the government, a prompt, consistent and people-oriented work of the administration, and the cooperation and support of the society in thoughts, words and actions, will bring about a meaningful transformation for Bharat,’’ he said.

Makes a case for developmental model suitable for Bharat

The country witnessed a series of devastating natural disasters in the Himalayan region, from Himachal and Uttarakhand to Sikkim. It is already being feared that these events could be a sign of some serious and massive crisis in the future. This area, which marks out the northern border of Bharat, is critical for the country’s border security, water security and environmental health, and must be protected at all costs. ‘’We need to consider the Himalayan region in totality by considering this region as a single unit from the standpoints of security, environment, demography and development. This naturally picturesque area is geologically new, still forming, and hence unstable. Arbitrary development plans were implemented without fully understanding the nature and characteristics of its surface, topography, geology, biodiversity and water resources. As a result of this mess, this region and, hence, the entire country is reaching the brink of crisis. We all know that this is the region that supplies water to all the countries of East and SouthEast Asia, including Bharat. We are also long aware of China’s presence on Bharat’s northern border. Therefore, this area has special geological, geo-strategic and geo-political significance. Keeping that in mind, this area will have to be considered from a different perspective,’’he opined.

According to Bhagwat, although these incidents of natural disasters are occurring more in the Himalayan region, they hold a clear message for the entire country. Due to the development trajectories based on inadequate, excessively materialistic and consumerist vision, humanity and nature are slowly but surely moving towards destruction. There is a growing concern about this all over the world.  ‘’Bharat will have to abandon those unsuccessful paths or gradually turn back, creating its own distinct development path, in tune with the times, based on Bharatiya values and the overall unified and integral vision of our Bharat. Such a model of development would be eminently suitable for Bharat, and also serve as an exemplar for the entire world. We must shun the tendency of sticking to the old and unsuccessful paths, of blind imitation, inertia, and dogma,’’he argued.

Praises Centre for successful organisation of G20 summit

Bhagwat said that Bharat’s glorious past, and the exciting developmental march that is underway, left the participants in the G20 summit from all the countries greatly impressed. Everyone witnessed Bharat’s genuine goodwill and diplomatic tact in getting the African Union accepted as a member of the coveted G-20 and in getting the Declaration Resolution unanimously passed on the very first day of the Summit held in New Delhi in September this year. 

‘’Due to Bharat’s distinct thoughts and vision, our guiding principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ has now been incorporated in the philosophy of the entire world. Thanks to Bharat’s endeavours, the economy-centric idea of G-20 has now transformed into human-centric. By successfully holding the G-20 Summit, our leadership has done a commendable job of firmly establishing Bharat as a major nation on the global stage,’’ said Bhagwat..