RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday called for social unity during a meet with tribal leaders in Imphal, reiterating that the organisation is a “purely dedicated to strengthening society.”
Addressing a gathering on the second day of his three-day visit to Manipur, Bhagwat told the gathering that the “Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is not against anybody; it is not formed to destroy, but to fulfill society”.
He added that the “Sangh neither engages in politics nor remote-controls any organisation. RSS works only through friendship, affection and social harmony.”
Emphasising Bharat’s civilisational continuity, Bhagwat said, “We are united because of our shared consciousness.
Despite our beautiful diversity, we belong to one civilisational family. Unity does not demand uniformity.”
He said the RSS was not created as a reaction to external forces but to address internal disunity, recalling founder Dr. K B Hedgewar’s effort to unite society.
“RSS is a man-making and character-building movement,” he said, encouraging everyone to visit shakhas to understand how the Sangh works on the ground.
Bhagwat said anyone working for betterment of society with commitment to Bharatiya civilisation is already an undeclared ‘swayamsevak’.
On matters raised by tribal leaders, he said their issues were national concerns and stressed self-reliance and solutions within the Constitutional framework.
“Issues in a family must be solved within the family. Dialogue must be based on oneness, not contractual bargaining,” he said, also pointing out that several regional issues and divisions have historical roots in colonial policies.
He also urged the tribal leaders to take pride in indigenous traditions, languages, and scripts, and embrace a swadeshi lifestyle rooted in cultural identity.
Separately, interacting with youth leaders, Bhagwat urged the young generation to recognise that Bharat is not a nation born in recent centuries but an ancient and continuous civilisation.
Encouraging youth participation in nation-building, Bhagwat said RSS shakhas aim to shape responsible, capable and selfless citizens who contribute their skills and talent for the country.
RSS involvement will not resolve Manipur crisis: Congress spokesperson
Imphal, Nov 21 (PTI): Manipur Congress president Keisham Meghachandra Singh on Friday said the involvement of the RSS will solve the crisis in the state, as it requires a government-led political solution and confidence-building measures.
Reacting to the three-day tour of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, he said any visit that “prioritises strengthening organisational growth” over the suffering of the people sends a wrong message. “The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee takes note of the visit of RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat to Manipur. At a time when Manipur is still suffering from unprecedented violence, displacement, social division, and administrative collapse, the people expected the Central Government to send a concrete plan for peace and restoration of normalcy,” he said in a post on X.
“However, instead of addressing the humanitarian crisis and the breakdown of governance, the visit appears to be focused primarily on strengthening RSS organisational activities in the State,” he added. Claiming that RSS involvement will not solve the crisis, Singh said the ongoing turmoil requires a government-led political solution, administrative accountability, and confidence-building measures.
“Strengthening ideological organisations will not bring peace,” he added.
The Congress leader said if the Centre was serious about solving the ethnic crisis in the state, it should provide a concrete roadmap for peace, a unified command structure, a plan for the safe return of displaced families, and accountability for administrative failures.
“MPCC reiterates that the focus must remain on restoration of normalcy, protection of all communities, and justice for victims. Political or ideological visits cannot substitute real governance,” he said.
“Manipur needs healing, not polarisation. Any visit that prioritises organisational growth over people’s suffering sends a wrong message at this critical time,” he added.
Bhagwat reached Imphal on Thursday, his first visit since ethnic violence broke out in the state in May 2023.
During his stay, Bhagwat will hold a series of closed-door interactions with RSS members to oversee the functioning of the organisation in the northeastern state.
He will also interact with entrepreneurs, tribal leaders from the Manipur hills, prominent citizens and leaders of youth organisations in the state.
Manipur has been under the President’s Rule since February after CM N Biren Singh, who led a BJP government, resigned amid criticism of his administration’s handling of the ethnic violence, which has claimed over 260 lives.