On RSS foundation day, chief’s message to people: Follow Constitution, always

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), on its 99th foundation day, has given a clear message to all members of Sangh Parivar and people of the country — to follow the Constitution in all matters and at all times, irrespective of whether the issue is small or big.

Mohan Bhagwat, RSS chief or Sarshanghchalak, has emphasised on the need for people to know the four major aspects of the Constitution — the Preamble, guiding principles, fundamental duties, and fundamental rights.

Commitment to Constitution

“We, the people of Bharat, have given ourselves this commitment to the Constitution. Keeping in mind the meaning of this sentence of the Preamble, everyone has to discharge the duties given by the Constitution and the law properly. We should follow this system in all matters, big or small…To ensure that this is done properly, especially the knowledge of four aspects of our Constitution, such as the Preamble, the guiding principles, fundamental duties, and fundamental rights, should be made known to the general public,” Bhagwat said in his speech on Vijay Dashami, which is also the foundation day of the RSS.

While focusing the speech mainly on the challenges before the country, Bhagwat made limited mention of the Union government. The ties between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the RSS-led Sangh Parivar have been a point of discussion since the Lok Sabha polls after BJP president JP Nadda said the party was self-sufficient.

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Message for people

Talking about social harmony and goodwill among different sections of society, Bhagwat further emphasised that organising symbolic programmes will not be enough to foster social harmony; everyone should take the initiative at a personal level and also as a family to accomplish it.

Nagpur-based author and observer on RSS, Dilip Deodhar, told The Federal that Bhagwat’s targeted audience was not so much the members of Sangh Parivar as it was the people of India. “It was not just a message to the cadre of the Sangh Parivar. Bhagwat tried to equate the Constitution with the Dharma Granth of India, which should be followed by all Indians. The speech emphasised equality and harmony in the country,” Deodhar observed.

Challenges before India

Speaking on the challenges before India, Bhagwat said there was a clear attempt by divisive elements to break society by creating conflict on the basis of caste, religion, province, and language. The RSS chief said the diversity of India was being used to create divisiveness in the country, but people should unite against these forces and use democratic ways to oppose these forces.

“Our diversity is the natural uniqueness of the universe…Due to this diversity, everything happening in social life and in the functioning of the country may not always be favourable or pleasing to everyone. It is not that all these things are done by a single community… No matter how much anger there is, we should avoid unrestrained behaviour and prevent our people from doing so. One should be alert about one’s own conduct and that one’s thoughts, words or deeds do not insult anyone’s faith, revered places, great personalities, books, incarnations, and saints,” Bhagwat said.

Also read: Unity comes from dharma, which means truth, compassion, dedication: Bhagwat

Constitution above all

Analysts believe Bhagwat was talking about the challenges before India in his speech, and there was no comment on the functioning of the Sangh Parivar or internal issues between different members of the organisation.

“The focus of the speech on Vijay Dashami was on the challenges and threats before the nation and also globally. Bhagwat talked about forces that want to create anarchy and extremism in society but also pointed out that the Constitution should be followed by all in society. While talking about Constitutional rights and duties, he also said even protests should be under the rules of the Constitution and rule of law,” Deodhar added.

Task for RSS

Talking about the task before the RSS and all its affiliated organisations for the next one year during which the organisation will complete 100 years of its foundation, Bhagwat said all its workers would strive to create social harmony and end differences in society. Bhagwat also said there should be no differences on the basis of temples, places of drinking water, and crematoriums.

Bhagwat said tolerance and harmony were part of Indian civilisation; malice and intolerance were not just anti-Indian but also anti-human.

“The message is clear that there should be equality and harmony in society and people should collectively not allow anyone to spread anarchy using our diversity,” Deodhar said.