Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said he will step down from his leadership post if the organization requests him. Having turned 75 years oldBhagwat explained that he remains in the role of Sarsanghchalak because the RSS asked him to continue.
The selection of the RSS chief is determined by the organisation, considering both the merit and availability of the candidates, without any criteria based on caste or community, he said, adding that he could not predict whether the next RSS chief would be from the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes, as that decision will be taken by the organisation.
“The head of the RSS is not chosen through an electoral process. What is certain is that whoever is appointed head of the RSS will be a Hindu, regardless of his caste,” he said during a meeting convened to commemorate the centenary year of the RSS in Bombay.
‘It is generally believed that after 75 years one should work without any official position. I have informed the RSS about this, but the Sangh has asked me to continue my work.”
“If I have to choose a chief for the Sangh, I will select the best available candidate based on my criteria. When I became RSS chief, there were many qualified candidates, but they were not available because they had already been assigned specific tasks. I was the only one available.”
He added: “Being from a scheduled caste or tribe is not a disqualifying criterion, nor does being a Brahmin qualify someone to become the RSS Boss.”
“What is certain about the organization is unwavering commitment and hard work. The organization extracts work to the last drop of blood from its volunteers,” he added.
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He also said that reservations for SC/ST should continue as long as there is caste discrimination in the society. “When a sector struggles, a hand must be given to lift it out of poverty and backwardness. Furthermore, until those who are benefiting come forward and voluntarily renounce their reservation rights, stating that they are no longer necessary, they cannot be withdrawn. This is an issue that can be debated by both sides, both for and against.”
“But if a certain sector has been discriminated against for 2,000 years, what’s wrong with extending the benefits for 200 years? Why shouldn’t we think this way?” he asked.
Reflecting on demographic changes and concerns over the declining Hindu population, Bhagwat said: “Every family should have three children. This is not only to address population decline but also to ensure the overall health of the family. Demographic scientists and psychologists have supported this recommendation.” He said that when a family has three children, they develop skills in ego management, which can benefit them later in life.
Conversion through coercion a cause for concern, says Mohan Bhagwat
Bhagwat also addressed religious conversions among Hindus and infiltration. Work on ‘ghar wapsi’ (return home) needs to be accelerated. If people voluntarily convert to any religion, we have no reason to object. When conversion occurs through coercion or attraction, it should be a serious cause for concern. “Large-scale infiltration requires a gigantic detect and deport exercise,” he said.
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Justifying the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls, Bhagwat said: “These measures will help eliminate our infiltrators. We have to ensure citizens’ rights and employment. We are not obliged to give employment to people from other countries.”
Commenting on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Bhagwat said: “It is good. While we are opposed to diversity, the UCC will ensure the unity and integrity of the nation.” However, he stressed that its implementation is important.
“It should come after due process and proper consultation to ensure its effective implementation. People should accept it voluntarily. There should be a change in the mindset of the masses. When there is unity in diversity, there is less threat to the nation.
RSS chief addresses corruption issue
When asked if the BJP that came to power signed ‘achhe din’ (good morning) for the RSS, he replied, “It’s the opposite.” He highlighted that the RSS has consistently followed its own path and plans. “And those who subscribed to our ideology got the advantage. While the BJP has punya, its sins have impacted us negatively at times,” he added.
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Admitting that corruption is an important issue that needs to be addressed both in government and society, Bhagwat said, “The RSS emphasizes the importance of ‘sanskar’ (values). We will not accept or offer bribes.” He expressed that existing laws alone cannot combat corruption; “It requires a collective effort and a change of mentality,” he added.
The RSS chief commented on caste-driven politics and said, “Political parties promote caste-based politics because it helps them get votes. If people recognize this and refuse to participate in caste polarization, the efforts of politicians will be futile. Ultimately, they simply focus on votes.”
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