RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat says ‘lynching’ not an Indian word, calls for action against violence

New Delhi: Lynching isn’t an Indian word and some incidents of violence have been branded as lynching to give the country a bad name, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat said on Tuesday at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur.

“Branding some incidents of social violence as lynching is actually meant to defame our country, Hindu society, and create fear among some communities. Lynching is alien to Bharat and actually has its references elsewhere. Our actions and behaviour should be to strengthen social harmony and brotherhood. It is our country, our people, our government. The country belongs to everyone irrespective of differences. There should be no violence,” Bhagwat said at an event to mark Vijayadashami, the foundation day of the RSS, which is now in its 95th year.

There’s no place for violence in the country and the administration should act against anyone involved in such deeds, said the RSS leader. There is a conspiracy to create differences among people, he said, adding that there is a need for social harmony in the country and that people should come forward to ensure that the values enshrined in the Constitution are followed.

“Diversity is an intrinsic strength of our nation. However, diversity of caste, creed, language, and region is being used by vested interests to separate one from another, turning them to differences, imposing fabricated identities on manufactured separations,” said Bhagwat.

The RSS leader praised the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the abrogation of provisions of Article 370 and 35A, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Modi and home minister Amit Shah had taken a bold decision in this regard, he said.

Bhagwat said the RSS has been working for creating unity, goodwill, good conduct and behaviour in the society. People, irrespective of caste, region, religion, or language, should rise above differences for dialogue and cooperation, he said. The Constitution and the law of the country should be followed and there should be mutual respect and trust among people, said the RSS leader.

“Different sections of the society should strive to increase goodwill and cooperation among themselves. It is important to work for the goodwill, harmony, and cooperation among all sections of society. Whatever differences of opinion there might be, howsoever provocative actions that might have taken place, the society must remain within the limits of the Constitution, and repose faith in the police and judicial system of the country,” said Bhagwat.

The RSS believes in swadeshi but this does not mean that India should cut its ties with the world, he said. The slowing down of the world economy has left its impact everywhere and the government has taken initiatives to tide over the situation in the last few months.

“Our society is entrepreneurial and will overcome these challenges. There is a need to strengthen medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs). Dattopant Thengadi, senior RSS leader who is no more was the founder of Swadeshi Jagran Manch, considered swadeshi an expression of patriotism in day-to-day life. A country that has the capacity to be self-reliant and provide employment for all can keep itself secured. Only then can it build and expand international trade relations,” said Bhagwat.

The RSS leader also spoke on the security of women, saying women are not safe in their homes and society and this should change.