Subversive ‘woke’ forces, role of ‘foreign extremists’ in Manipur — Mohan Bhagwat’s Vijayadashami speech
“Everyone should learn harmony from India,” he said. “The whole world needs it.”
Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan was the chief guest at the event, which also had Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in attendance.
Here are the salient points Bhagwat made in his speech.
‘Cultural Marxists’
Bhagwat slammed the “cultural Marxists or woke” elements who are using “their influence in media and academia to spoil the country’s education and culture”.
The RSS chief said that the purpose of Bharat’s rise has always been the welfare of the world, but “as a natural consequence of this rise, the selfish, discriminatory and deceitful forces seeking their sectarian interests are subject to curbs and regulations. Hence, there is a continuous opposition from them”.
He added that though these forces wear the mask of some ideology or the other, and claim to be working for some lofty goals, their real objectives are “something else”.
“These destructive, all-devouring forces call themselves cultural Marxists or woke, or the awakened ones. But they have forgotten Marx since the 1920s. They are opposed to all orderliness and morality, beneficence, culture, dignity and restraint in the world. In order for a handful of people to have complete control over the entire human race, they reward, promote and spread anarchy and indiscretion,” he said.
“Their modus operandi involves taking control of the media and academia, and plunging education, culture, politics and social environment into confusion, chaos, and corruption,” he added.
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Manipur violence
The ongoing conflict in Manipur violence was among the major issues Bhagwat touched upon in his speech, emphasising that to “achieve narrow political gains, attempts are being made to forge alliances with these undesirable forces in the country to defeat political rivals”.
He termed this “unwise and harmful” for the country and said that some “demonic powers” are able to get the support of internal or external forces who want to “break the society and the nation”.
“If we look at the current situation of Manipur, this fact becomes obvious. How did this mutual discord and hatred suddenly erupt in Manipur, which had been peaceful for almost a decade? Were there extremists from across the border also among those who committed violence? Why, and by whom, was an attempt made to give a communal tinge to this mutual conflict between the Manipuri Meitei and Kuki communities, who were apprehensive about the future of their existence?” he asked.
He also asked who may have a vested interest in trying to “drag and besmirch” the RSS into this issue, adding that the organisation has served “without any bias” for years. “Which foreign powers may be interested in taking advantage of such unrest and instability in Manipur, located between Nagabhoomi and Mizoram in this border area? Does the geopolitics of Southeast Asia also have a role in these events?” he asked.
Bhagwat pointed out that despite a strong government in the country “on whose strength and instigation” has this violence continued for so many days?
“Why did this violence erupt and continue even though there was a state government that wanted to maintain the peace that had prevailed over the past nine years? Now, when people on both sides of the conflict are seeking peace, which are these forces that are attempting to trigger hatred and violence by causing an incident as soon as any positive step is seen being taken in that direction?
He added that “multidimensional efforts will be required to solve this grave problem” and would require a strong political will.
Provocations from outside India and toolkits
Bhagwat highlighted the tendency of some elements to blow up small incidents and use them to paint an entire community in a negative light, the role of toolkits and “provocative invocations”.
“Misdeeds of an individual are extrapolated and portrayed as misdeeds of the entire community, and then war of words ensues, followed by provocative invocations and calls to action,” he said. “Forces that want to break the country by making us quarrel also take full advantage of this situation…. Statements expressing concern and warning are elicited from within the country and abroad. ‘Toolkits’ that incite violence are activated and mutual suspicion and hatred are further intensified.”
He added that those who seek and favour “harmony in the society need to be wary of these nefarious games. The solution to all these problems will only emerge gradually. But for that to happen, a climate of trust and harmony in the country is a prerequisite”.
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2024 Lok Sabha elections
As the country approaches the general elections, to be held next year, the RSS chief cautioned people against attempts to garner votes by “inflaming emotions” and asked people to vote keeping in mind the vital issues of “unity, integrity, identity and development of the country”.
“It is not advisable to get caught up or swayed by inflammatory propaganda carried out using the media, and the volley of allegations and counter-allegations that follows,” he said. “The media should be used to propagate truth and harmony in society. The correct solution to violence and hooliganism is for a society to become an organised force and to take the initiative in protecting law and order and to extend appropriate support to the government and the administration”.
Natural disasters, China’s presence
Bhagwat cited the example of the recent natural disasters in the Himalayan region, including in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim, to emphasise how “arbitrary development plans were implemented without fully understanding the nature and characteristics of its surface, topography, geology, biodiversity and water resources”.
The region, he said, has “special geological, geo-strategic and geo-political significance” and is critical for the country’s border security, especially in view of China’s presence “on Bharat’s northern border”.
“Therefore, this area, he added, will have to be considered from “a different perspective”.
India’s rise as ‘major nation on global stage’
Asserting that the purpose of Bharat’s rise has always been the “welfare of the world”, the RSS chief lauded the government’s efforts and leadership for the successful organisation of the G20 summit. “Over the last year, our Bharat played host, as president, to a grouping of major countries called the G20… Inevitably, the experience of the warm hospitality extended by the people, Bharat’s glorious past, and the exciting developmental march that is underway, left the participants from all the countries greatly impressed,” he said.
“Everyone witnessed Bharat’s genuine goodwill and diplomatic tact in getting the African Union accepted as a member of the coveted G20 and in getting the Declaration Resolution unanimously passed on the very first day of the Summit held in New Delhi in September this year,” he said.
Bhagwat appreciated the efforts of the Modi government and said by “successfully holding the G20 Summit, our leadership has done a commendable job of firmly establishing Bharat as a major nation on the global stage”.
Commenting on the current Israeli-Hamas conflict, Bhagwat stressed on the fact that the world is looking towards India to lead by example and show a new path to peace.
“As the world comes closer to each other at an astounding pace, nations are increasingly becoming worried about their inherent identities and their sense of the self or ‘Swa’,” he said. “Attempts to paint the entire world in the same colour or to achieve uniformity haven’t succeeded so far, nor will they succeed in the future. Thus, the desire to preserve the identity of Bharat and the identity of the Hindu society is only natural”.
The RSS chief also said that it is no surprise then that “a crisis-ridden world expects Bharat to emerge with a new vision, germane to the times, and based on its own value systems, to meet the contemporary needs and challenges of the globe. The world is facing the scourge of fanaticism, arrogance, and hysteria stemming from religious sectarianism. Any solution to conflicts like the war in Ukraine or the Gaza Strip, which arise due to a clash of interests and extremism, remains elusive’.
He said that “terrorism, exploitation, and totalitarianism are getting a free run to wreak havoc”.
“It has become abundantly clear that the world cannot counter these problems with its inadequate vision. Therefore, the world is looking towards Bharat expectantly to lead by example and show a new path to peace and prosperity, based on its own Sanatana (eternal) values and Sanskar”.
On ‘ending discrimination’
Speaking of the RSS’s upcoming centenary celebrations in 2025, Bhagwat said that preparations are on and that swayamsevaks will endeavour to fulfill certain goals. “Any discrimination that might still exist with regard to accessing temple, water, or crematorium, must end.”
“We should deepen our relationships with nature by saving water, removing plastics, and increasing greenery in and around our homes. Let’s strengthen our reliance on ‘Swa’, or self, through Swadeshi. Wasteful expenditure ought to stop, too. Employment opportunities in the country should rise, and the country’s money (capital) should be used within, and in the interest of the country itself,” he added.
(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)
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