Temple Management, Population Control, Bitcoin: Here Are Eight Highlights From Mohan Bhagwat’s Dussehra Speech

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) celebrated its 96th Foundation Day on Dussehra (15 October). As per the Hindu calendar, RSS was established in 1925 on the day of Vijayadashami.

It was on this occasion that RSS chief Dr. Mohan Bhagwat, while addressing the volunteers, elaborated on the RSS’ stance on a number of diverse issues such as population control, economy, Taliban, social harmony, Hindu temples, organisation of Hindu society, etc.

On the state of Hindu Temples

The Sarsanghchalak, while expressing concerns over the state of some temples in the country, said that “it is also necessary and only reasonable that the operating rights of Hindu temples be handed over to the Hindu devotees and the wealth of the Hindu temples is utilised for the worship of the deities and the welfare of the Hindu community only”.

While adding that some temples in the country — like the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu — are run well even while being managed by the government, the RSS chief added that eventually, temple control should be in the hands of devotees and even cited a Supreme Court judgment to drive home the point.

“Alongside this thought, it is also necessary to devise a scheme to once again make temples the epicentre of our social-cultural life while ensuring appropriate management and operation of the temples based on the strength of the Hindu society,” he added.

“A non-discriminatory ease of access and opportunity for seeing, worshipping God’s shrine, to all devotees irrespective of caste and creed is also not practised everywhere; this should be ensured,” noted the RSS chief.

Youth needs to take cognisance of our history

Bhagwat began his speech by highlighting the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters and the contribution of the society that won India its freedom and marked the beginning of the churn from “Swadheenata (independence/Self-rule) to Swa-tantrata (An indigenous model of independence and governance)”, which is as yet far from complete.

Bhagwat spoke of the indelible scar of partition, and asserted it is necessary, especially for the young generation, to take cognisance of our bloodied history, not to afflict ill-will upon anyone, but to restore our unity and integrity.

On social harmony and national ethos

“The existence of an egalitarian and non-discriminatory society is a prerequisite for a unified and integrated country. The problem of age-old caste-based divisions is a hindrance in this quest...Sangh Swayamsevaks are working on building an atmosphere of equality along with fraternity by conducting socially harmonious activities,” said the RSS chief.

About “clandestine Bitcoin” and “unregulated OTT”

The Sarsanghchalak warned against the serious challenges that a “clandestine and uncontrolled currency like Bitcoin” could pose to India’s economy. He expressed his concern about the unregulated broadcasts on O.T.T. platforms that are open for everyone’s indiscriminate consumption.

Bhagawat urged the government to make efforts to regulate these affairs immediately as forces inimical to India’s interests use these platforms to further their propaganda.

Awakening of ‘Swa’ (Selfhood)

Bhagwat, in his speech, revisited the nation’s fight against the Covid pandemic and said that the Sangh Swayamsevaks had trained workers up to the village level who will maintain vigilance and garner on-ground support in case of emergencies.

He pointed out that neither the government nor the society is willing to bow down to the looming threat of Covid, and the economy is showing potential and confidence to bounce back.

“Simultaneously, this situation can also provide us with an opportunity to resurrect and create a paradigm and model which is based in the principle of Swa- that is Selfhood,” said Bhagwat, citing the example of the overwhelming contributions for the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, India’s exceptional performance at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, and the renewed belief in traditional knowledge systems such as Ayurveda.

On “Imbalance In The Population Growth”

Bhagwat also spoke on the issue of population explosion and said that it could give rise to many problems in the near future. He cited the resolution (Challenge of Imbalance in the Population Growth Rate) — that pointed out the alarming Muslim population growth rate — which was passed during the Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal (All India Executive Committee) meeting of Sangh held at Ranchi in 2015.

“In the present circumstances, news of persecution of native Hindus, growing criminalisation and a mounting pressure on them to escape their areas with an imbalanced population growth have surfaced. The violence that broke out following the elections of West Bengal and the pitiable condition of the Hindu people there can also be attributed to the appeasement of barbarous elements by the government and population imbalance. Therefore, a policy that is applicable to all groups in the same fashion is imperative”.

Threats “Beyond Northwest Borders”

The RSS chief also highlighted upon the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, and warned that “...the passionate fanaticism, tyranny, and terrorism in the name of Islam is sufficient to make everyone apprehensive of the Taliban.” Given China, Pakistan and Turkey’s unholy coalition with the Taliban, India cannot retire in complacency and must be prepared on all fronts.

“Terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir have restarted the spate of the targeted killings of national minded citizens — especially Hindus — to destroy their morale and reestablish the reign of terror in the valley. The citizens are braving and shall brave the situation with courage but efforts for curbing and finishing off the terrorist activities needs speeding up”, said the Sarsanghchalak, emphasising upon the need for the emotional integration of the people of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country.

The need for an organised Hindu society

Bhagwat concluded his address with a clarion call to all Indians as he said that “...The fabric that binds our society together is our heritage, the chorus that rises in our hearts in the praise of the glory of our ancestors and our pure devotion towards our motherland. The word ‘Hindu’ is the expression of this very connotation. Absorbed in these three elements we can all wear the uniqueness of our underlying Sanatana oneness as our jewel and uplift our whole country. We must do this. This is the mission of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.”