The three day lecture series of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh which began on Monday saw many eminent guests coming to the event. The event titled ‘The Future of Bharat: An RSS Perspective’ is hosted by the RSS at New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan and had as its highlight talks by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on the opening day. The list of speakers and attendees of the event included names like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Manisha Koirala amongst other film stars, sportspersons and religious leaders. The first day of the event was a roaring success with Nawazuddin Siddiqui arriving at the event on the request of RSS.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui arrived at the venue leaving the premiere of his upcoming movie Manto which was scheduled on the same day in Mumbai. He also held a brief chat with the RSS chief in person which shows that the organisation is looking forward to changing its image in the coming future. The talks between the political RSS chief and the movie actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui were light in nature.
Prior to this Mohan Bhagwat gave an outstanding speech on many topics in the event, in his hour long speech the RSS chief touched upon various points which were related with the nation and the organisation. His speech touched upon questions which are often asked about the RSS, funding, the role of women in the organisation, its take on the Indian Tricolor and its political ambitions. Mohan Bhagwat spoke loud and clear that the RSS believed in pluralism and inclusivity he also pointed out that India’s diversity is something which should be ‘respected and celebrated’ but should never be allowed to change into discord which could weaken the country. The goal of the organisation according to the chief is to create a distinction less society whose citizens are compassionate and capable, then and only then can the organisation fully claim that it is able to fulfill its goal of a strong India.
The Hinduism term which is so often used by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leaders, is not just a simple religion but a ‘value system’ that binds the society. The Hindu way of life has pluralism as its core which allows space for diversity of all kinds to mutually coexist in the country. Mohan Bhagwat also thanked the RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar for giving such a structure to the organisation so that RSS does not become a dogmatic institution but lets everyone democratically through consensus. He reiterated that in the RSS the youngest can easily challenge the oldest and if his points have merit the organisation adapts to the suggestions received. On political ambitions of the RSS, Bhagwat said, “We do not want Sangh domination. Our viewpoint is quite the opposite actually. Our vision is to strengthen the society, which will take the nation forward. Community feeling is the basis of Sangh ideology. Our swayamsevaks do a lot of good work, but we do not propagate their names. Every citizen must work for the nation selflessly, because it is the duty of all of us to give back to the nation in whatever way possible.”
These and many more facts pointed out by the RSS chief will lead to increased knowledge about the organisation in the modern world. While many political parties have tried to label the RSS as an orthodox, rudimentary organisation but its stance on multiple topics such as Article 377 etc. have shown that the Sangh is as welcoming as an organisation can get. Such speeches coupled by visits from celebrities like Nawazuddin Siddiqui and others will lead to an increased understanding and acceptance of the Sangh in the eyes of the common public, both from the majority religion and otherwise.