Team News Riveting
New Delhi, August 26
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat today explained what Hindu meant while providing a factual account of the Sangh’s history and philosophy.
He was addressing the inaugural session of the three-day lecture series organized on the occasion of the centenary year of RSS titled ‘100 Years of Sangh Journey – New Horizons’.
The has marked a century of its existence, a milestone that has prompted a fresh wave of public discourse and introspection about the organisation’s purpose and journey, he said. He countered what he described as widespread misinformation about the organisation. The address, a follow-up to a similar event in 2018, sought to clarify the Sangh’s foundational principles and its vision for Bharat.
Dr Bhagwat talked about Hindu Rashtra. “In English, we translate Rashtra into Nation, which is a Western concept,” he said, adding that because the state comes with the Nation and the state is not necessary for Rashtra. “Our Rashtra is old, even if we remove the word Hindu. We have even fought for this one Rashtra from north to south. We were not always independent; we had different kings, but this Rashtra was there. Turk, the British also became King, but this Rashtra was existing. Hindu Rastra has nothing to do with who is ruling,” he added.
In Sangh prayer, they say — ‘Vijetri cha nah samhata karya-shaktir’ (May our collective strength ever be victorious and effective in action). The meaning of being Hindu is to follow their own path without demeaning others’ faith, he added. Those who follow this tradition are Hindus. And the reason behind this tradition is Bharat because of its geography.
Dr Bhagwat said the journey of the Sangh had now completed a century. The very purpose of establishing and sustaining the organisation needs to be understood—why was the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh founded, what obstacles did it face, how did its swayamsevaks endure every challenge and yet carry its mission forward, and even after completing 100 years, why does it continue to speak of new horizons? If one were to answer this in a single sentence, it is this—the Sangh’s prayer ends each day with the words: “Bharat Mata ki Jai.” It is the motherland; its glory must be exalted, and it must attain a pre-eminent position in the world, he added.
What is to be done? The organisation of society in its entirety. The organisation of the entire Hindu society. By the term ‘Hindu’, it must not be inferred that it implies ‘Hindus versus all others’; certainly not. The word ‘Hindu’ connotes inclusiveness, Dr Bhagwat said.
