Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat while addressing a gathering of intellectuals, scholars, and entrepreneurs in Guwahati on Tuesday, articulated a vision of Hindu identity as synonymous with Indian civilisation itself. The event was part of the organisation’s ongoing centenary celebrations.
Dr Bhagwat asserted that the term ‘Hindu’ transcends religious dogma. “Anyone who takes pride in Bharat and loves the nation is a Hindu, irrespective of personal modes of worship,” he stated. He clarified that India does not require a formal proclamation to be a Hindu Rashtra, as its ancient cultural continuity already defines it as such. “Bharat and Hindu are synonymous,” he remarked.
Outlining the RSS’s foundational philosophy, Dr Bhagwat stressed that the Sangh’s mission is one of unity and character-building, not opposition. “The methodology to unite Bharat amidst diversity is called the RSS,” he told the audience. He urged those with preconceived notions to visit a Shakha to understand the organisation’s work firsthand.
His speech detailed five key social transformations, or ‘Panch Parivartan’, with particular emphasis on strengthening the family unit. He urged families to preserve ancestral stories and instil cultural pride in the younger generation, citing regional icons like Lachit Borphukan and Srimanta Shankardeva as figures of national importance.
Addressing specific concerns in Assam, Dr Bhagwat called for vigilance regarding demographic changes. He spoke of issues like illegal infiltration and advocated for a balanced population policy, including a three-child norm for Hindus, alongside resisting religious conversions he termed ‘divisive’.
Concluding the session, he highlighted the Northeast as a “shining example of Bharat’s unity in diversity” and called upon all sections of society to contribute selflessly to nation-building as the RSS embarks on its next century.