In a significant address during the annual Vijayadashami celebrations at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat highlighted concerns over a perceived “Deep State” aiming to create divisions within Indian society along caste and community lines. He accused certain political parties of facilitating this agenda for their own “selfish interests” and urged the Hindu community to rise above caste differences and extend support to Dalits and marginalized groups.
“Our diversity has become such that we have even divided our saints and deities. Why should Valmiki Jayanti be celebrated only in Valmiki colonies? Valmiki wrote the Ramayana for the entire Hindu society. So, all should celebrate Valmiki Jayanti and Ravidas Jayanti together. All festivals should be celebrated together by the entire Hindu society. We will go to the society with this message,” Bhagwat asserted, advocating for collective celebration of festivals as a means to foster unity.
Emphasizing social harmony as a prerequisite for a healthy society, Bhagwat stated that genuine goodwill among different social sections is essential. “This task cannot be accomplished by merely organizing some symbolic programmes. In all sections of society, there should be friendship between individuals and families. Wherever I go and where I work, I should have friends among all kinds of people. Languages can be diverse, cultures can be diverse, food can be diverse, but this friendship of individuals and families will bring harmony in society,” he noted.
Bhagwat further urged for inclusivity in public spaces and places of worship, advocating for participation from all societal segments. He shared an anecdote about a meeting with Valmiki community members who expressed concerns about their children lacking access to education. Bhagwat recounted how members of the Rajput community offered to enroll students from the Valmiki colony in their nearby school at no cost, emphasizing the need for mutual support and belonging.
This speech marks a pivotal moment for Bhagwat, who has frequently discussed the importance of bridging caste divides, but this time presented a more detailed call for action aimed at achieving Hindu unity. His remarks come in the wake of the BJP’s disappointing performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where it secured only 240 seats, failing to maintain a simple majority. Analysts suggest that a decline in support from Dalit and backward communities may have contributed to this outcome, amid fears of potential constitutional changes affecting their reservations.
Moreover, Bhagwat’s statements resonate with the current political climate, particularly as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi intensifies his focus on caste-related issues, advocating for a nationwide caste census as a cornerstone of his political strategy.
