Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday termed lynching as a “western construct”, saying that some incidents of violence were actually being “branded to defame India, Hindu society and create fear among some communities”.

“Branding some incidents of social violence as ‘lynching’ are 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,” the RSS chief said.

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“Lynching itself is a Western construct. It is not the word from Indian ethos. Its origin is from a story in a separate religious text. Don’t impose such terms on Indians,” he claimed.

He further added that certain elements of society are trying to divide the country. They want to create a fight between the two communities by dragging the Sangh name in the incidents. Attempts are being made by vested interests to create distrust, fear and hostility among sections who have not yet come in contact with the Sangh.

He further claimed that the RSS members do not get involved in such incidents, rather they try to stop it.

The RSS Chief also hailed the Centre for the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing the Vijayadashmi function of the RSS at Reshimbagh ground in Maharashtra’s Nagpur city, Mohan Bhagwat asserted that the move of the re-elected regime to nullify Article 370 has once again proved that it has the courage to fulfill those expectations and respect people’s sentiments and wishes in the interest of the country.

Further on, in his address, Bhagwat said that the RSS is firm on its vision that “Bharat is a Hindu Rashtra”. He said all Bharatiyas working for the nation’s glory and enhancing its peace are “Hindus”.

“The vision and proclamation of the Sangh regarding the identity of the nation, social identity of all of us, and the identity of the country’s nature, are clear, well-thought-of and firm that Bharat is Hindustan, Hindu Rashtra,” he said.

“Those who belong to Bharat, those who are descendants of Bharatiya ancestors, those who are working for the ultimate glory of nation and joining hands in enhancing peace, respecting and welcoming all diversities; all those Bharatiyas are Hindus,” he asserted.

Bhagwat was addressing sarsanghchalaks on the occasion of the Sangh’s annual Vijayadashmi event, during which he also performed ‘shastra puja’.

HCL founder Shiv Nadar was the chief guest for this year’s event.

Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Gen V K Singh (retd) and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were among those present at the event.