Population control through the introduction of a population policy applicable to all communities was the focus of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s much-awaited Dussehra speech. Bhagwat also sought countrymen to counter “forces hindering our Sanatana Dharma” and “inimical to Bharat’s unity and progress.”

He also spoke about the inequalities in society and said, “Temple, water and cremation ground should be common for all. We should not fight over petty things. Issues like someone can ride a horse and others can’t, should have no place in society and we’ve to work towards it.”

Speaking on the importance of the mother tongue, the RSS chief lauded the New Education Policy and said, “It’s a myth that English is important for a career. The New Education Policy should lead to students becoming highly cultured, good human beings who are also inspired by patriotism. This is everyone’s desire. Society needs to support this activity.”

Bhagwat also dismissed “scare-mongering” vis-a-vis minorities in respect of the Sangh saying the RSS stands for “brotherhood, amity and peace.”

Addressing the annual RSS event on the occasion of ‘Vijaya Dashmi’, Bhagwat said population growth across the world has created new geographical boundaries and countries and stressed that population policy prepared after comprehensive thought should be applicable to all communities equally.

“Seventy-five years ago, we experienced this in our country. In the 21st century, the three new countries that have come into existence, East Timor, South Sudan and Kosovo — they have been the results of population imbalance in certain territories of Indonesia, Sudan, and Serbia”, he said in his key address at Nagpur. “Population imbalances lead to changes in geographical boundaries. Alongside the differences in birth rate, conversions by force, lure or greed, and infiltration are also big reasons.

“All these factors have to be mulled over. Population control and religion-based population balance is an important subject that can no longer be ignored”, Bhagwat said.

“Shakti is the foundation of peace. To unite our society, unity between men and women is essential. This partnership is vital for society’s growth,” he said. He also lauded the chief guest Mount Everest climber Santosh Yadav who has twice climbed the great heights of Gauri Shankar (mountain) and called for an equal role for women and their empowerment.

 “In 2017, women activists working in various organisations conducted a comprehensive survey of the women of India. The survey findings also underscore the need for empowerment and equal participation. There is a necessity to engage women in decision making,” Bhagwat said.

He said, “What men can do, the women can also do. But what the women can do, men cannot’ without women, we cannot gather the whole power of the society. But when we gather the whole power of the society, the work of uplifting the country will become successful.”

Bhagwat said that change is the rule of this world but one should be firm on Sanatan Dharma. “Time changes and with time, a person becomes wiser. But extremist mindset acts as a hindrance. Change is the rule of this world but one should be firm on Sanatan Dharma.’ he said.

In his address, the RSS chief referred to “hindrances” created on the path of ‘Sanatan Dharma’ by “forces inimical to the unity and progress”.

“The second type of obstacles ( first being conservatism) are created by forces who are inimical to Bharat’s unity and progress. Broadcasting wrong and fake narratives for spreading misperceptions, engaging and encouraging criminal acts, and fomenting terror, conflict and social unrest are their tactics. We are experiencing these. These forces pit different sections of society against each other on the basis of sectional self-interest and hatred, and increase chasms and enmities, this has been their conduct in independent Bharat,” he said.

Bhagwat went on to say that without getting trapped in their machinations, irrespective of their language, religion, region, or policy, they have to be dealt with fearlessly, relentlessly, and be either protested or repelled.

“We should assist the governments and administration’s efforts to control and bring such forces to their heels. Only our society’s strong and pro-active cooperation can ensure our comprehensive security and unity”, said the RSS head without specifying the forces inimical to the country’s progress and unity.

Bhagwat said that the Sangh has a steely resolve to stand on the side of brotherhood, amity and peace. “Scare-mongering by some is done among so-called minorities that there is a danger to them because of us or organised Hindus. This is neither the nature of Sangh nor of Hindus. Sangh has a steely resolve to stand on the side of brotherhood, amity and peace,” he said.

“We must be companions in bliss and sorrow, we must understand and respect Bharat, we must be of Bharat, this is the Sangh vision of National integrity and Harmony. There is no other motivation or vested interest of Sangh in this,” Bhagwat added.

The RSS chief said India has made great strides of which each Indian should  be proud of. “The government is pursuing policies which lead towards self-reliance. Bharat’s importance and stature has increased in the community of nations. In the sphere of security, we are becoming more and more become self-sufficient. After negotiating through the calamity of corona our economy is inching towards the pre-pandemic levels”, he said.

He said the Prime Minister in his address to the nation on the occasion of the inauguration of ‘Kartavya Path’ gave a description of Modern India’s future based on economic, technological and cultural foundations.

“The government is to be commended for its clear enunciations. The process of national regeneration calls for overcoming obstacles. The first obstacle is Conservatism! The knowledge base of humankind increases with time. With time some things change while some are obviated. New facts and situations emerge. Therefore, any new dispensation must create a harmonious balance between tradition and contemporary realities. Outdated mores of the past have to be castaway, he said.

He said the Sangh wants the government to develop a healthcare system that pools varied medical treatment methods from diverse sources for etching out affordable health services that are widely available and shorn off commercial motivation.

Speaking of ‘Hindu Rashtra’, Bhagwat said  since Sangh is receiving the affection and confidence of people and also has become strong, the concept of Hindu Rashtra is being taken seriously. “ Many people agree with the concept but are opposed to the word ‘Hindu’ and they prefer to use other words. We don’t have any issue with that. For the clarity of concept - we will keep emphasizing the word Hindu for ourselves,” he said.

The RSS chief dismissed the ‘propaganda’ against it  vis-a-vis the minorities in the country.

“Scare-mongering is done among so-called minorities that there is a danger to them because of us or organised Hindus. This has not happened in the past, nor will it happen in future.

“This is neither the nature of Sangh nor of the Hindus, history bears this out. Self-defence and defence of our own becomes a duty for everyone against those who spread hatred, commit injustice, atrocity, engage in acts of hooliganism and enmity towards society.

“Neither threatens nor gets threatened,” this kind of a Hindu society is a need of the present times. This is not anti-anybody. Sangh has a steely resolve to stand on the side of brotherhood, amity and peace”  said Bhagwat.