Dismissing a common perception that Sangh decides “everything” for the BJP, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday emphatically said there are no differences between the RSS and the BJP Government, both at the Centre and the States ruled by the party. The RSS chief asserted that the RSS has no role in selection of a new chief of the BJP. Bhagwat said that he never advocated for retirement at the age of 75, nor did he ever say someone should retire, putting an end to the buzz that his reference was meant for PM Modi, as the BJP has a practice of encouraging leaders to step down after the age of 75.
In a question-answer session lasting two-and-a-half hours, Bhagwat responded to questions ranging from Manusmriti to Artificial Intelligence (AI), tariffs to caste, education, patriotism, national language, partition, illegal immigration, attacks on Muslims and most importantly, age of retirement for politicians.
Speaking on the RSS’s coordination with the ruling BJP, the RSS chief said there may be a struggle, but there’s no quarrel.” It’s completely wrong,” the RSS chief said, responding to a question that the RSS decides everything for the BJP, including the selection of its president. JP Nadda, who is also a central minister, is the current chief. “We don’t decide. If we were deciding, would it have taken so long? We don’t do (decide). We don’t have to. Take your time. We don’t have to say anything,” he said, drawing a huge applause from the audience. Bhagwat said the RSS can’t take decisions for the BJP. The BJP has its own expertise to handle its affairs as the RSS does for running its shakhas, he said.
“I have been running shakhas for the last 50 years. If anyone advises me on running a shakha, then I am its expert. They have been running the Government for many years. So they are expert in State affairs. We know each other’s expertise,” Bhagwat said. Suggestions can be made but they have to take decisions because it’s their field, he added.
“We are having good coordination with every Government, both State Governments and the central Government. But there are systems that have some internal contradictions. The system in general is the same, which was invented by the British so that they can rule. So, we have to have some innovations,” Bhagwat said.
He further added, “Then, we want something to happen. Even if the man in the chair is 100 per cent for us, he has to do it, and knows what the hurdles are. He may or may not be able to do it. We have to give him that independence. There is no quarrel anywhere.”
On his retirement at the age of 75, the RSS chief asserted he had never stated that he would retire or that someone else should retire at 75. Both Modi and Bhagwat turn 75 next month. “I never said I will retire or that someone should retire. In Sangh, we are given a job, whether we want it or not. If I am 80 years old, and Sangh says go and run a ‘shakha’, I will have to do it. We do whatever the Sangh tells us to do...This is not for anyone’s retirement. We are ready to retire or work - as long as the Sangh wants us to,” he said on the question of ‘should Indian leaders retire at the age of 75 years’.
On the issue of retiring at 75 years, Bhagwat said he had quoted late RSS leader Moropant Pingle in Nagpur recently while highlighting his witticism.
“He was so witty that his witticism made you bounce in your chair...Once in our programme, we were all there, all-India karyakartas and he (Pingle) completed his 70 years. So he was given a shawl and was asked to say something...He stood up and said ‘you might be thinking that you have felicitated me, but I know when this shawl is given, it means you sit in a chair calmly and see what happens,” Bhagwat said. Pingle was felicitated on attaining the age of 75 years. “I never said that I will retire or that someone else should retire,” Bhagwat said. In the Sangh, swayamsewaks are given a job whether they want it or not, he said.
Amid calls for running an Ayodhya-like movement for Kashi and Mathura, Bhagwat said the Ram Temple was the only movement RSS got involved in and took it to its conclusion and it will not join any other movement. “However, Kashi, Mathura and Ayodhya are important to Hindus and if they request, our volunteers can join their movements,” Bhagwat told the audience at the centenary celebrations of the RSS at the Vigyan Bhawan here. “Besides these three, I have said there is no need to search for a temple or Shivling everywhere. At the same time, why can’t it happen? It is a matter of only three; you (Hindus) can take it. This will be a big step towards harmony,” he said.
On demography & population, the RSS chief said it is generally suggested for a family in India to have three children. However, he said that resources should be managed accordingly.”To keep a civilisation alive, 2.1 is mentioned; it basically means three children. But, resources also have to be managed, so we must restrict to 3,” Bhagwat said, adding that having three silbings “helps a child in ego management”.
The RSS chief said infiltration should be stopped as every country has its own rules and regulations with limited resources. He said conversion and illegal migration are key reasons for demographic imbalance.
“Religion is an individual’s own choice. No one should be forcefully converted. We have to stop it. The second issue is infiltration. Every country has its own rules and regulations, and limited resources. So, infiltration should be stopped, and the Government is making efforts to stop this... It is important to give employment to the citizens of our country,” he said. He further said, “Every nation has its rules and regulations. The world is ‘Kutumb’, but every place has its own standards. Freedom is discipline also…Not allowing illegal immigrants in the country doesn’t contradict the concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.”
Bhagwat said the Sangh does not believe in attacking anyone, including on religious grounds, and asserted that Hindu thinking does not say that Islam won’t be there. said religion is a matter of individual choice and should not involve any allurement or force.” Hindus are insecure due to a lack of confidence. No Hindu thinks there will be no Islam. We are one nation first... The RSS doesn’t believe in attacking anyone, including on religious lines,” he said.
On the caste system, the RSS chief said whatever is outdated is bound to go. “The caste system was there once, but has no relevance today. Caste is no longer a system; it is outdated, and it has to go.
Responding to questions on the last day of his three-day lecture series here at Vigyan Bhawan, Bhagwat clarified that RSS volunteers were free to join such movements. “Ram temple is the only movement that the RSS supported; it will not join any other, but our volunteers can. The Kashi-Mathura reclamation movements will not be supported by the Sangh, but Swayamsevaks may take part,” he said.
The RSS chief further stated that the Sangh will bat for reservation till the beneficiaries do not feel the need for it, while addressing the media at a press conference on Thursday. Bhagwat said that while the caste system once existed, it has no relevance today. “Caste-based reservation must be approached with sensitivity. Deendayal Ji had a vision… those at the bottom should strive to rise, and those at the top should extend a hand to pull them up. The Sangh has always backed Constitutionally-guaranteed reservation,” he said. Bhagwat was speaking at an event — part of a three-day centenary lecture series — titled “100 years of the Sangh’s journey – New Horizons”.
Bhagwat also asserted that roads and places should not be named after “aggressors”.”I am not saying they should not be named after Muslims, but they should not be named after aggressors,” he said. Bhagwat said the RSS fully supports Constitutionally-mandated reservation policies and will support them till the time it is required. On the caste system, the RSS chief said Whatever is outdated is bound to go.” The caste system was there once, but has no relevance today. Caste is no longer a system; it is outdated, and it has to go.” There is a need for evaluation of an exploitation-free and egalitarian system. While the outdated system goes, it should be seen that it does not have a destructive effect on society,” he said.
Bhagwat exhorted the integration of Gurukul education with mainstream education, saying the former is not about living in an ashram but learning about the country’s traditions. Bhagwat said he is not in favour of making Sanskrit compulsory but it is important to understand the tradition and history of the country. He also said he is not against technology and modern education, and it is in the hands of people how the two are put to use. The 64 aspects of the Vedic era that are relevant should be taught and Gurukul education should be integrated into the mainstream and not replaced, he said.
“The mainstream should be linked with Gurukul education. Our Gurukul model is similar to the education model in Finland. “In Finland, which is a leading country in education, there is a separate university for training teachers. Many people come from abroad because the local population is small, so they accept students from all countries. Education up to the eighth grade is conducted in the mother tongue of the students... So Gurukul education is not about going and living in an ashram, it has to be linked with mainstream,” he said.