RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed the ‘Vijayadashami Utsav’ program, in Nagpur on Saturday.
New Delhi: On the occasion of Vijayadashami, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat performed the ‘Shastra Pooja’ at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur. In his Dussehra address, Bhagwat emphasised the importance of Hindu society in shaping a peaceful, prosperous, and strong India. He stressed the need for collective societal efforts, saying, “When society awakens and takes charge of its destiny, great individuals, organizations, institutions, and the government all come forward to support.” Attendees included Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and former ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan.
Bhagwat’s Vijayadashami address is significant for outlining the RSS’s vision and stance on national issues. He warned Hindus to stay united to safeguard the nation, remarking, “Even gods punish the weak… it is never the horse, elephant, or tiger but the goat that is sacrificed in a yagna.”
He highlighted forces dividing India along lines of caste, creed, language, and region, mentioning disturbances in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Purvanchal. Bhagwat pointed to events like stone pelting during Ganesh Visarjan in Maharashtra, warning that attempts to incite fanaticism must be countered through peaceful, democratic means.
The RSS chief praised India’s progress in education and technology, citing peaceful elections in Jammu and Kashmir as evidence of the country’s growing global stature. He noted, “Our philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family) is gaining global recognition, with yoga and environmental conservation embraced worldwide.”
Bhagwat criticised the West Bengal government over the rape incident at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, condemning the protection of criminals and the political-crime nexus. He also expressed concern over anti-India narratives in Bangladesh, warning that a “tyrannical fundamentalist nature” threatens minorities there. Bhagwat remarked that similar conditions are being attempted in India through divisive tactics.
Addressing the rise of ideologies like “Deep State,” “Wokeism,” and “Cultural Marxism,” Bhagwat said they aim to undermine societal values by infiltrating educational and media institutions. “Their strategy involves creating division by promoting identity-based victimhood and generating distrust in the system to gain dominance,” he explained.
Vijayadashami, celebrated after Navaratri, marks the victory of good over evil, with Lord Rama’s triumph over Ravana being one of its central stories. It also signifies the beginning of preparations for Diwali, the festival of lights, observed twenty days later.