HYDERABAD: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday asserted that people should move towards culture, following the path of nature, while avoiding distortion.
Addressing the concluding session of LokManthan 2024 at Shilpakala Vedika, he stated: “As soon as we remember that we are all one, the words of the President of India Droupadi Murmu resonate deeply: Whether we are vanvasi, nagarvasi, girivasi or gramvasi, we all are Indians. This is not just an emotional appeal, but a reality.”
“India must know its own path, and for that, we need to work. To achieve this, we need a proper discourse, which is why churning (manthan) is necessary. As I mentioned, the situation has become like curdled milk—it has solidified. Some may suggest, let’s break the curd or let’s throw away the curd. But if we throw away the curd, we won’t be able to make butter or anything else,” Bhagwat added.
Bhagwat emphasised the need for positivity in shaping our discourse. He highlighted the importance of answering questions of a disillusioned world, rather than being bogged down by criticism. “We will need to explain and convince our own people, and that’s all that matters,” he added.
World, creation and religion will persist till end: Bhagwat
Bhagwat stated that the world, creation and religion were interconnected and would persist until the end.
“These are eternal, and only when they are together, existence will continue — |birth, growth, change and destruction will be with these three. Our ancestors searched for this truth and no other society has pursued it,” the RSS chief said.
Concerned about the deterioration of society, he noted that relationships were being forgotten. “Our ancestors gave us a wonderful life and taught us how to live a material life grounded in spiritual roots, Bhagwat added, and called for all of creation to follow Dharma, renounce what we have, and protect Dharma.
Stating that we committed many “Adharma” in the name of “Dharma” and weakened the society, he said: “Our endeavour has two aspects. The saints and maharajas have given us a famous mantra: ‘yudh’ (war) is not just about fighting the external world, but also about battling our own inner demons. Day and night, we must fight our own weaknesses.”
Expressing confidence that science would eventually validate Indian philosophy, he said: “It is said that Indian philosophy is integrated with science. But does science believe in Indian philosophy? Or not? We should ask.”
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Coal & Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy and Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat were present on the occasion.