Bharat, according to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, is not just a piece of geographical land. Instead, he said, “it’s a culture. And those who could not continue believing in that culture have set up their own country.” Mr Bhagwat was addressing the Hindu right wing organisation’s open session for its mid-Bengal cadres at the Sports Authority of India stadium today.
Several senior BJP leaders, including the party’s current state president, Sukanta Majumdar, and former president, Dilip Ghosh, were present at the event. Mr Bhagwat spoke about harmony and maintaining respect for other religious beliefs. “All who did not leave and chose to stay here on 15 August 1947, accepted this Bharat culture and deserve equal rights,” Mr Bhagwat said. He further stated: “It is the responsibility of the larger section of society to care for and accommodate the weaker sections. Despite the diversity, it is a natural consequence that all of Bharat is one.” Regarding India’s diversity, he said: “Diversity in Bharat existed long before the British arrived. Still, Sanskriti sabki eka chirantan (the culture of the different segments was single). That is why we are called Hindus; that is our identity.
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Hindu does not stand for any single religion or language. So, simply try to find the unity within this natural diversity.” On the role of the RSS, Mr Bhagwat said: “What does the Sangh want to do? If this question has to be answered in one sentence, then the Sangh wants to unite the entire Hindu society. Why unite the Hindu society? Because Hindus are responsible for this country’s society.” About present-day India, he commented: “It seems Bharat is growing magnificently after hundreds of years, similar to what was seen during the time of Gautam Buddha.”
