Lynching a Western Construct, Don’t Impose it on Indians: Bhagwat

Bhagwat also called the work of PM Modi and Amit Shah in the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K “laudable.”

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat along with HCL founder and chairperson Shiv Nadar during the Vijayadashami utsav in Nagpur on Tuesday, 8 October. 

(Photo: PTI)

Video Producer: Sonal Gupta

Video Editor: Mohd Irshad Alam

Addressing swayamsevaks at Nagpur on Tuesday, 8 October, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said that lynching is a "western construct" and "one shouldn't use it in the Indian context to defame the country."

“The origin of word 'lynching' is not from the Indian ethos. Its origin is from a story in a separate religious text. We Indians trust in brotherhood. Don't impose such terms on Indians," Bhagwat was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

“Branding some incidents of social violence as lynching are actually meant to defame our country, Hindu society and create fear among some communities.”

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, as quoted by ANI

Stressing on the need to create harmony and for everyone to live within the confines of law, Bhagwat said "swayamsevaks are brought up with that sanskar (values)".

On Article 370 and State of the Economy

Bhagwat also called the work of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah in the effective abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir "laudable", but said some vested interests do not want the country to be strong and vibrant.

On concerns over the economic sector, he said the slowing down of world economy has left its impact everywhere.

“The government has taken initiatives to tide over the situation in the last one-and-a-half months. Our society is entrepreneurial and will overcome these challenges.”

Mohan Bhagwat

Among other issues that the RSS chief touched upon were the Chandrayaan-2 mission and border security.

‘Democracy Prevalent Since Centuries’

Bhagwat said in the past few years, there has been transformation in "direction of thought-process of Bharat".

"There are many people in the world and in Bharat as well, who don't want this. A developed Bharat creates fear in the minds of vested interests... such forces will also not want Bharat to be strong and vibrant," the RSS chief said.

Even well-meaning policies and statements from persons in government and administration were being misused to benefit nefarious designs by vested interests, he rued.

"We must be alert in identifying these plots and counter them on intellectual and social levels," he said.

Bhagwat said the world was eager to know if the 2019 elections in such a huge country will be conducted smoothly. "Democracy in India is not something imported from any country, but a practice which has been prevalent here since centuries," Bhagwat said.

He said India's borders were now safer than ever, and more focus was needed on coastal security.

“The number of guards and check-posts on land borders and surveillance along the maritime border, especially on islands, have to be increased.”

Mohan Bhagwat

RSS Formed on Dussehra in 1925

Earlier on Tuesday, the RSS chief performed 'shastra puja' at the annual Vijayadashmi in the Maharashtra city.

Dussehra holds a special importance for sarsanghchalaks as the RSS was founded on that day in 1925. HCL founder Shiv Nadar was the chief guest for this year's event.

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

(With inputs from PTI.)