News Brief
Swarajya Staff
Oct 12, 2024, 12:59 PM | Updated 12:59 PM IST
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In his annual Vijayadashami speech at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, Mohan Bhagwat emphasised the urgent need for Hindu unity amid rising challenges to India's stability. He warned of sinister conspiracies and divisive forces threatening the nation's cultural values.
Here are the top highlights from his speech:
1) India's rise is being challenged
Mohan Bhagwat warned that India's rise is being challenged by forces attempting to create alliances rooted in fear and aggression, but India remains strong, united, and ready to counter any threat.
"The sense of self-pride is increasing in the society, especially in the younger generation. We are gradually moving ahead in many areas. All elections including Jammu and Kashmir have been completed peacefully. There is a general confidence that youth, women, entrepreneurs, farmers, workers, soldiers, administration, government, all will remain committed to their respective tasks. It is because of the efforts made by all these people in the last few years, inspired by the national interest, that Bharat's image, power, fame and position on the world stage is constantly improving", he asserted.
However, Bhagwat cautioned, saying, "But as if to test our resolve, some sinister conspiracies have appeared before us which need to be understood properly. If we take a look at the current scenario of our country, such challenges are clearly visible in front of us. Attempts to disturb and destabilise the country seem to be gaining momentum from all directions".
2) 'Deep state,' 'wokeism,' and 'cultural marxists' threaten traditions
Bhagwat warned of threats posed by "Deep State," "Wokeism," and "Cultural Marxists" during his address He stated that these groups aim to destroy cultural traditions and values as part of their modus operandi.
"Complete destruction of values, traditions and whatever is considered virtuous and auspicious is a part of the modus operandi of this group," he said.
Bhagwat highlighted that the first step is to capture society's institutions, such as the education system, media, and intellectual discourse.
According to him, these groups influence thought and create division by promoting victimhood among identity-based groups. They then amplify discontent and encourage aggression against societal systems. This, Bhagwat noted, leads to direct conflicts by exploiting fault lines, fostering distrust and hatred. Ultimately, the chaos created allows these groups to assert dominance over the country.
3) Bangladesh was destabilised by external forces
The RSS chief expressed concern over the political instability in Bangladesh, noting the dangerous narrative of India as an enemy.
Mohan Bhagwat stated that it has become a ritual for nations experiencing rapid growth to face efforts aimed at destabilisation. He warned that individuals often attempt to undermine democratically elected governments, citing Bangladesh as a prime example. Bhagwat acknowledged that while there may be immediate reasons for the unrest, such violence and war-like situations cannot arise solely from sudden events.
Bhagwat condemned the ongoing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, emphasising that all minority communities are at risk due to the radical elements present. He stressed the need for global Hindu solidarity and urged the Indian government to step in, warning that weakness only invites atrocities.
Bhagwat pointed out that while Hindus in Bangladesh have begun to unite in self-defense, the larger issue is the fundamentalist aggression that continues unchecked.
He criticised the growing anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh and the idea of Pakistan being its real ally. Despite these challenges, Bhagwat reiterated that India is well-prepared to handle any external threat.
4) Nexus of crime and politics in West Bengal
Taking an indirect jab at the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding the handling of the RG Kar rape-murder case, Bhagwat stated, "What happened in RG Kar hospital in Kolkata is shameful. But, this is not a single incident. We should be vigilant to not let such incidents happen. But, even after that incident, the way things were delayed, there was attempt to protect criminals - this is the result of the nexus between crime and politics, the poisonous culture is ruining us."
He expressed concern over the spread of divisive narratives aimed at destabilizing Indian society. Bhagwat noted, “We have such a big and diverse society—creating division from that diversity or even manufacturing a sense of diversity to provoke discontent leads to a loss of faith in the government, law and order, and administration. This environment aids in establishing dominance over the country from abroad.”