Mohan Bhagwat Opens RSS Outreach Event With Rare Praise For Congress
Mohan Bhagwat spoke at an event that the RSS, the ideological mentor of the ruling BJP, said it has organised to make the organisation better understood.
All India | Reported by Sunetra Choudhury, Edited by Divyanshu Dutta Roy (with inputs from PTI) | Updated: September 17, 2018 21:42 IST
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Mohan Bhagwat was speaking at an RSS event in Delhi's Vigyan Bhavan.
NEW DELHI:
HIGHLIGHTS
Mohan Bhagwat spoke at Day 1 of RSS outreach conclave in Delhi
Prasied Congress for Independence movement, "icons who still inspire"
Says India's diversity must be respected and celebrated
PROMOTED
JBL Go Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker with Mic
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If an outreach was the aim, reach out it did. Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, opened a three-day conclave in Delhi on Monday with a rare conciliatory tone for one of its harshest critics. "In the form of the Congress, a huge freedom movement fledged in the nation. It too gave birth to a number of all-sacrificing great personalities who continue to inspire us today. That movement managed to inspire ordinary people to join the freedom struggle. It had a huge hand in us achieving Independence," he said.
That the words came from the head of an organisation which has been the bull's-eye for most Congress darts on the ruling party (which in turn has not missed many opportunities to return the favour) made it the kind of political spectacle perhaps last seen only in Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's famous hug for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in parliament two months ago.
Mr Bhagwat, 68, was speaking at an event that the RSS, the ideological mentor of the ruling BJP, said it has organised to make the right-wing organisation better understood.
fmlv1ioo
Almost all opposition parties skipped the RSS event where Mohan Bhagwat spoke.
And from diversity to women, the RSS chief in an 80-minute address seemed keen to re-mould its image on more than one issue.
"India is a country full of diversity and it must be respected and celebrated," he said, adding that it should not become a reason for "discord" in the society.
Addressing a frequent criticism about the lack of women participation in the RSS, Mr Bhagwat said there was room to change that and added there are other groups within its umbrella where they do take part.
The RSS, which was an organisation unlike any other, is targeted by many people in the country out of "fear" of its increasing power which is natural, he said.
Though many leaders of the ruling BJP, a number of Bollywood actors, artists and academicians were present for the event in Delhi's Vigyan Bhavan, usually the venue for major government events, almost all major opposition parties gave the conclave a miss though the RSS had invited them.
With two more days to go, Mr Bhagwat appeared to count on drawing more people as he gave out a teaser for Tuesday's subject: Why the RSS is seen as an organisation that seems to court only Hindus.
29 COMMENTS
(With inputs from PTI)
Five times when RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat left BJP red-faced
From rebuking BJP leaders for dining with Dalit families ahead of Karnataka elections to seeking a review of the reservation policy that probably cost the BJP in Bihar, Bhagwat has several times hinted that all might not be well between the saffron party and its ideological mentor.
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Written by Abhishek De | New Delhi | Updated: September 18, 2018 6:52:05 pm
Mohan Bhagwat, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Sister Nivedita, Sachar committee, Nivedita and Indian nationalism, nationalism, bengal, kerala, indian express
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RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. (File Photo)
In an unusual admiration, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday praised the Congress for its role in the freedom movement said that sangh does not endorse the ‘mukt’ phraseology, striking a divergent note from BJP’s ‘Congress-mukt Bharat’ refrain. This is, however, not the first time that Bhagwat has made comments much to the dislike of the BJP. From rebuking BJP leaders for dining with Dalit families ahead of Karnataka elections to seeking a review of the reservation policy that probably cost the BJP in Bihar, Bhagwat has several times hinted that all might not be well between the saffron party and its ideological mentor.
Here are five instances where the RSS chief differed from the BJP:
* On the first day of a three-day RSS conclave, Bhagwat opened the event with a rare conciliatory praise for one of its harshest critics — the Congress. Crediting the Grand Old Party for its role in the freedom movement, Bhagwat said, “A huge movement began in the form of the Congress. There were many great souls who sacrificed a lot and continue to inspire us today. That ideology placed the nation on the road to freedom.”
Former President Pranab Mukherjee with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at the event in Nagpur. Former President Pranab Mukherjee with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at an event in Nagpur. (File)
* Before the Karnataka Assembly elections in May, Bhagwat had criticised BJP’s attempt at Dalit outreach by dining with families from the community. Bhagwat reportedly told a gathering of RSS and VHP leaders in Delhi to desist from the “drama” and instead indulge in regular interactions with the members of the weaker sections to get rid of the caste system.
“Taking food at Dalits’ homes, inviting the media or for publicity stunts, is not a good practice… Leaders should interact with dalit people routinely and regularly. Only taking food at Dalits’ houses is not sufficient, send family members too to their homes and invite them at your home,” he had said. The RSS, however, had called the reports baseless and misleading.
READ | Those who oppose us also ours… we are for yukt Bharat, not mukt: RSS chief
* At a book launch in Pune on April this year, Bhagwat had hit out at PM Narendra Modi’s slogan of “Congress-mukt Bharat”. The RSS chief had said phrases like ‘Congress-mukt’ were political slogans and not part of the Sangh’s lexicon. “The RSS doesn’t use the language of excluding anyone. We have to include everyone in the process of nation-building. Nation-building cannot be the work of one man. It has to be inclusive, requiring the contributions of both the ruling and the Opposition parties,” he had said.
* Bhagwat stirred a hornet’s nest just ahead of the 2015 Bihar elections by saying there was a need to review the reservation system. The remarks were perceived to have damaged BJP’s prospects in the caste-ridden states and gave the then Grand Alliance parties ammunition to target the BJP during campaigning.
In an interview to the Organiser, Bhagwat said, “Reservation for socially backward classes is the right example in this regard. If we would have implemented this policy as envisaged by the Constitution makers instead of doing politics over it, then present situation would not have arrived. Since inception, it has been politicised.” He suggested that a “non-political committee” be set up to examine who required the benefit of reservation and for how long.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at the Rastroday event in Meerut. (File)
* Just after the BJP government came to power at the Centre following a landslide victory in 2014, Bhagwat struck a discordant note with the party’s suggestion that win was solely due to Narendra Modi’s personal image. Bhagwat said an individual could not have ensured the BJP’s victory.
“Some people say the success was due to the party. Some people say it was due to some individuals. Fact is that common man wanted change. The same individuals and party existed earlier also. Why were they not voted to power?” Bhagwat said at an event.
Mohan Bhagwat spoke at an event that the RSS, the ideological mentor of the ruling BJP, said it has organised to make the organisation better understood.
All India | Reported by Sunetra Choudhury, Edited by Divyanshu Dutta Roy (with inputs from PTI) | Updated: September 17, 2018 21:42 IST
by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored
8 Months Blockchain Certification Program - Admissions Open! (Amity Online)
This Snake Does Something That No Human Should Ever Have To Witness (The Travel Lane)
SHARE
29
COMMENTS
Mohan Bhagwat was speaking at an RSS event in Delhi's Vigyan Bhavan.
NEW DELHI:
HIGHLIGHTS
Mohan Bhagwat spoke at Day 1 of RSS outreach conclave in Delhi
Prasied Congress for Independence movement, "icons who still inspire"
Says India's diversity must be respected and celebrated
PROMOTED
JBL Go Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker with Mic
₹ 1,799* Amazon
Get 10% Cashback**
If an outreach was the aim, reach out it did. Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, opened a three-day conclave in Delhi on Monday with a rare conciliatory tone for one of its harshest critics. "In the form of the Congress, a huge freedom movement fledged in the nation. It too gave birth to a number of all-sacrificing great personalities who continue to inspire us today. That movement managed to inspire ordinary people to join the freedom struggle. It had a huge hand in us achieving Independence," he said.
That the words came from the head of an organisation which has been the bull's-eye for most Congress darts on the ruling party (which in turn has not missed many opportunities to return the favour) made it the kind of political spectacle perhaps last seen only in Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's famous hug for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in parliament two months ago.
Mr Bhagwat, 68, was speaking at an event that the RSS, the ideological mentor of the ruling BJP, said it has organised to make the right-wing organisation better understood.
fmlv1ioo
Almost all opposition parties skipped the RSS event where Mohan Bhagwat spoke.
And from diversity to women, the RSS chief in an 80-minute address seemed keen to re-mould its image on more than one issue.
"India is a country full of diversity and it must be respected and celebrated," he said, adding that it should not become a reason for "discord" in the society.
Addressing a frequent criticism about the lack of women participation in the RSS, Mr Bhagwat said there was room to change that and added there are other groups within its umbrella where they do take part.
The RSS, which was an organisation unlike any other, is targeted by many people in the country out of "fear" of its increasing power which is natural, he said.
Though many leaders of the ruling BJP, a number of Bollywood actors, artists and academicians were present for the event in Delhi's Vigyan Bhavan, usually the venue for major government events, almost all major opposition parties gave the conclave a miss though the RSS had invited them.
With two more days to go, Mr Bhagwat appeared to count on drawing more people as he gave out a teaser for Tuesday's subject: Why the RSS is seen as an organisation that seems to court only Hindus.
29 COMMENTS
(With inputs from PTI)
Five times when RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat left BJP red-faced
From rebuking BJP leaders for dining with Dalit families ahead of Karnataka elections to seeking a review of the reservation policy that probably cost the BJP in Bihar, Bhagwat has several times hinted that all might not be well between the saffron party and its ideological mentor.
109
SHARES
SHARE
Written by Abhishek De | New Delhi | Updated: September 18, 2018 6:52:05 pm
Mohan Bhagwat, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Sister Nivedita, Sachar committee, Nivedita and Indian nationalism, nationalism, bengal, kerala, indian express
X
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. (File Photo)
In an unusual admiration, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday praised the Congress for its role in the freedom movement said that sangh does not endorse the ‘mukt’ phraseology, striking a divergent note from BJP’s ‘Congress-mukt Bharat’ refrain. This is, however, not the first time that Bhagwat has made comments much to the dislike of the BJP. From rebuking BJP leaders for dining with Dalit families ahead of Karnataka elections to seeking a review of the reservation policy that probably cost the BJP in Bihar, Bhagwat has several times hinted that all might not be well between the saffron party and its ideological mentor.
Here are five instances where the RSS chief differed from the BJP:
* On the first day of a three-day RSS conclave, Bhagwat opened the event with a rare conciliatory praise for one of its harshest critics — the Congress. Crediting the Grand Old Party for its role in the freedom movement, Bhagwat said, “A huge movement began in the form of the Congress. There were many great souls who sacrificed a lot and continue to inspire us today. That ideology placed the nation on the road to freedom.”
Former President Pranab Mukherjee with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at the event in Nagpur. Former President Pranab Mukherjee with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at an event in Nagpur. (File)
* Before the Karnataka Assembly elections in May, Bhagwat had criticised BJP’s attempt at Dalit outreach by dining with families from the community. Bhagwat reportedly told a gathering of RSS and VHP leaders in Delhi to desist from the “drama” and instead indulge in regular interactions with the members of the weaker sections to get rid of the caste system.
“Taking food at Dalits’ homes, inviting the media or for publicity stunts, is not a good practice… Leaders should interact with dalit people routinely and regularly. Only taking food at Dalits’ houses is not sufficient, send family members too to their homes and invite them at your home,” he had said. The RSS, however, had called the reports baseless and misleading.
READ | Those who oppose us also ours… we are for yukt Bharat, not mukt: RSS chief
* At a book launch in Pune on April this year, Bhagwat had hit out at PM Narendra Modi’s slogan of “Congress-mukt Bharat”. The RSS chief had said phrases like ‘Congress-mukt’ were political slogans and not part of the Sangh’s lexicon. “The RSS doesn’t use the language of excluding anyone. We have to include everyone in the process of nation-building. Nation-building cannot be the work of one man. It has to be inclusive, requiring the contributions of both the ruling and the Opposition parties,” he had said.
* Bhagwat stirred a hornet’s nest just ahead of the 2015 Bihar elections by saying there was a need to review the reservation system. The remarks were perceived to have damaged BJP’s prospects in the caste-ridden states and gave the then Grand Alliance parties ammunition to target the BJP during campaigning.
In an interview to the Organiser, Bhagwat said, “Reservation for socially backward classes is the right example in this regard. If we would have implemented this policy as envisaged by the Constitution makers instead of doing politics over it, then present situation would not have arrived. Since inception, it has been politicised.” He suggested that a “non-political committee” be set up to examine who required the benefit of reservation and for how long.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at the Rastroday event in Meerut. (File)
* Just after the BJP government came to power at the Centre following a landslide victory in 2014, Bhagwat struck a discordant note with the party’s suggestion that win was solely due to Narendra Modi’s personal image. Bhagwat said an individual could not have ensured the BJP’s victory.
“Some people say the success was due to the party. Some people say it was due to some individuals. Fact is that common man wanted change. The same individuals and party existed earlier also. Why were they not voted to power?” Bhagwat said at an event.
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