Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), addressed a gathering and expressed his views on the reservation system, the concept of Akhand Bharat (undivided India), and other issues. He advocated that reservations should continue until caste-based discrimination is eradicated from society.
Mohan Bhagwat emphasized the need for reservations to persist as long as discrimination against lower castes remains prevalent. He suggested that if lower castes have endured discrimination for over 2,000 years, the upper castes should be willing to tolerate reservations for at least a few more centuries. Bhagwat stressed that reservations are not merely an economic benefit but a remedy to a deep-rooted social issue. He argued that the emotional perspective is essential when discussing reservations.
Bhagwat referenced historical instances of discrimination, highlighting the suffering of lower castes dating back to the times of the Mahabharata. He noted that this discrimination has persisted and, at times, subjected lower castes to conditions akin to animals. RSS, he said, strongly supports reservations as long as they are permitted by the constitution.
On the topic of Akhand Bharat, Bhagwat clarified that it does not necessitate altering boundaries but rather centers on fostering an acceptance of the Indian way of thinking. He envisioned that when people in neighboring countries embrace the Indian mindset, India could reunite. Bhagwat pointed out that many individuals in neighboring nations are now considering that life might have been better if they were part of India.
Addressing a question about the RSS not hoisting the tricolour on its premises until 2002, Bhagwat affirmed that the RSS now raises the national flag. He recounted instances of RSS workers' dedication to the flag's honor and their willingness to sacrifice their lives for it. He shared a historical anecdote involving an RSS worker who risked his life to untangle the national flag from a pole.
Bhagwat clarified that Hindutva does not pertain to any specific religion or creed, emphasizing a broader interpretation of the concept.
During the event, an open forum allowed students to ask questions, providing an opportunity for direct interaction with Mohan Bhagwat.