RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday expressed his concerns regarding the Manipur violence, suggesting it was orchestrated and pointing fingers at "outside forces" for their involvement in the situation in the northeastern state.
Addressing annual Dussehra rally of RSS in Nagpur, Bhagwat noted that the Meiteis and Kukis had coexisted peacefully in Manipur for an extended period. Being a border state, the question he raised was: "Who benefits from such secessionism and internal conflict? Outside forces also benefit. Were people from outside involved in what happened there?"
He further delved into the Manipur situation, reflecting on Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent visit. Bhagwat asked, "Who actually fueled the conflict? It (violence) is not happening, it is being made to happen." This led him to question the foreign powers' interest in taking advantage of unrest and instability in Manipur and whether geopolitics in Southeast Asia played a role in these events.
The RSS chief also said that the idol of Lord Ram will be installed at Ayodhya temple on January 22. He asked people to organise programmes at temples across the country to celebrate the occasion.
Bhagwat commended the RSS workers for their efforts in restoring peace in Manipur. He emphasized the importance of not using emotional triggers for electoral gains in the run-up to the 2024 general elections and encouraged voters to prioritize unity, integrity, identity, and development.
Discussing the divisive influence of "toolkits" that incite violence and create mistrust, he underscored that unity doesn't require the immediate resolution of all problems. Instead, he advocated for peaceful and restrained efforts.
The RSS chief highlighted three elements that bind the nation together: devotion to the motherland, pride in forefathers, and a common culture. He stressed that these elements unify the diverse aspects of Indian society, including language, region, religion, sect, caste, and sub-caste, regardless of whether one follows a faith originating from outside India.
Bhagwat also expressed concerns about cultural Marxists and woke elements using their influence in media, academia, and other sectors to promote anarchy, chaos, and corruption. These elements, he claimed, aim to disrupt societal orderliness, morality, culture, dignity, and restraint.
He praised the Indian government for successfully hosting the G20 Summit and emphasized India's rising importance on the global stage. He mentioned that hosting the G20 Summit demonstrated India's goodwill and diplomatic tact in securing the African Union's membership.
Finally, Bhagwat recognized the world's current challenges, citing fanaticism, arrogance, and hysteria stemming from religious sectarianism as major issues. He noted that conflicts like those in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, rooted in clashing interests and extremism, still lacked clear solutions.
Also read | Watch | RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat addresses Annual Vijaydashmi Utsav in Nagpur
