RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who earlier said nobody should be “forced” to say ‘Bharat mata ki jai,’ on Thursday said: “When we say Bharat mata ki jai, it is to strengthen this bonding of unity.”
Addressing RSS members on the occasion of the Sangh’s annual third-year training camp at Reshimbagh, Bhagwat said such a slogan is essential to nurture nationalism and that it is even acknowledged in the Constitution.
The RSS chief also used the occasion to explain that the Sangh is often ‘misunderstood’ by people who did not try to see “what we are doing”.
“The Sangh is open to all scrutiny. We invite you to come and see our work and clear your misgivings,” Bhagwat said, adding that the Sangh is only working towards fostering values and helping foster unity in the country. “Even (former Tamil Nadu chief minister) CN Annadurai — who (sic) proclaimed distinct Dravidian identity — forgot all differences and raised his voice when China attacked India and said an attack on Himalayas is an attack on Tamil pride.”
“History tells us that in the past, we have fought between ourselves and offered our land on a platter to outsiders. Now the time has come to learn our lessons from it and stand united to fight all forces inimical to the country’s interests,” the RSS chief said. Bhagwat said the Sangh focuses on issues of national interests. “This camp represents how despite barriers of language, food habits and traditions, we can come together for nation building,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}“History tells us that in the past, we have fought between ourselves and offered our land on a platter to outsiders. Now the time has come to learn our lessons from it and stand united to fight all forces inimical to the country’s interests,” the RSS chief said. Bhagwat said the Sangh focuses on issues of national interests. “This camp represents how despite barriers of language, food habits and traditions, we can come together for nation building,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}Bhagwat also appreciated PM Narendra Modi’s address to the US Congress and said he had aptly stressed that protecting the environment is the ethos of the Indian civilisation.