The Crux of Dr Mohan Bhagwat ji’s Vijayadashami Speech

The appeal of RSS Sarsanghchaalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat ji to Hindus to unite is not a new call. Dr Hedgewar after many years of experience in the struggle for freedom, realised that we, as a society, had not been able to throw the British out because we were divided. Unless, we overcame our differences over higher and lower castes, languages, and parochialism, we would not gain freedom easily. RSS was founded on the very premise that all the problems that our great civilisation faced during attacks of invaders were a result of our divided society at various levels. Our society got degraded and calcified, after we were enslaved in different periods, into ills of casteism and ills like putting women behind purdah. Being the majority community, we were responsible. So, unless Hindu society reformed itself, the nation could not be strong. Even if we got free, we would just copy the British, and the colour of the skin of the rulers would change but not the mindset. So, Bharatiyas must reform and unite, overcoming differences for a higher goal, that of a united prosperous nation with its society living in harmony.

At various times, RSS has waged programmes and agitations to promote social harmony and get over casteist divisions. Thus, it is a continuous struggle to overcome divisive fault lines. Even in this Vijayadashami address, he informed the people that RSS is going to take up activities for social harmony after the completion of centenary year, but asked people to take up the responsibility of changing their behaviour. He stressed that we should interact with all social groups around our homes irrespective of their social and economic standing. He exhorted people to call other members of their neighbourhood, to understand each other. He also denounced the practice of turning our national icons into caste icons. Why should Dalits celebrate Valmiki Jayanti and why not entire Hindu society that has been gifted Ramayan by him, he asked. Such celebrations would primary steps toward breaking down caste barriers.

His second important point was the criticality of family. It is the founding block of our society and is the reason why we have survived over thousands of years despite so many destructive invasions. He told people to spend time with family, and discuss family and cultural issues. He explained the dangers of cultural Marxism that will tear our society asunder. Addressing the issue of the family began many years back in RSS and is called ‘kutumb probodhan’, but now Mohan ji wants to make it more widespread and a social movement. For this very reason, he asked parents to be careful about what is being doled out in the name of entertainment and urged them to take care of the children. This brought out the issue of censorship of OTT just as it exists for films and television. We cannot let profiteering ruin our social fabric.

Other two issues that RSS will take up in the coming year are environmental protection and civic responsibilities. These are new dimensions in the activities outside shakhas that need to be taken up by us, beginning with our neighbourhood. The issue of climate change is very important, hence we all need to be part of the solution and not be the problem. Similarly, to calm down the social atmosphere of irritation and anger, we must be responsible citizens and see to it that our behaviour does not disturb others. As citizens, it is our duty to follow laws and rules.
There can be no doubt that all these points need urgent attention and one cannot find politics in this. Maybe, this is why, the media did not find it necessary to highlight these points of the lecture that can make Bharat better.

The most important point he made is “to be weak is a sin” in today’s world. To illustrate the point, he talked about atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh and how they have risen together to protect themselves to whatever extent they can. So, Hindus have no option but to unite and be strong. History of 1947 has also shown us that there is no other way to protect civilisation that is not just important for us but also for the world, as it is the only culture that talks about an inclusive society where diverse opinions are respected, where religions are treated as equals and the supremacist ideologies of ‘my way of the highway’ must co-exist peacefully with others. We find that the world has seen enough wars to prove the superiority of one system against the other, whether it is Islam vs Christianity or Capitalism against Communism or Islam versus Judaism. Being strong does not mean we are against anyone, but it is to protect this precious philosophy and society.

Mohan Ji was clear that every citizen has a right to raise one’s voice against any injustice, but it must be done within the framework of our democratic society running based on our constitution. While he was clear that one must not insult any other faith or revered persons, he was also clear that one cannot take law into one’s own hands. Aligned to this thought was his stress on the fundamental right to protect our families and our properties. This was important to underline the dangers of violent outbursts of certain sections of society to protest against any real or perceived wrong. He pointed out that till the police and administration arrive, one needs to protect oneself; one must be ready to face such situations. When we see such unprovoked violence on the smallest pretext around us on the streets, we can understand his call.

His call to solve the problems of our lesser fortunate brethren by ourselves rather than depend on the government is an important direction that as a society it is our duty as a family to support each other and solve each other’s problems.

This speech was a call to unite, be strong and be alert; to be ready to defend ourselves. It was a call for reforming our society for better, more cohesive and harmonious living and work for the good of our great nation.