Daijiworld Media Network - Nagpur
Nagpur, Oct 20: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday said attempts to dismantle India would not succeed, asserting that a change of government would not automatically alter the country's circumstances.
Speaking at the RSS's Vijayadashami Utsav in Nagpur, Bhagwat said India was being targeted because of its progress and alleged that certain forces were attempting to weaken the country and the Sangh.
“India is their main target because India is progressing,” he said, adding that those seeking to derail the country's development would not succeed.
His remarks came amid protests over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Bhagwat said protests, particularly those driven by political motives, could create tensions, disorder and disruption of public order. He maintained that lasting solutions to problems should emerge from within society rather than through agitation.
Cautioning against foreign interference, the RSS chief alleged that several forces wanted India to lose its position and cited developments in countries such as France, Nepal and Bangladesh while speaking about attempts to bring about regime changes.
He also criticised sections of Indian society whom he accused of supporting such efforts, urging people to remain alert to attempts to divert the country from its goal of becoming a developed nation.
The remarks followed a controversy over senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan's comments on protests against alleged SIR irregularities. Bhushan had said the demonstrations were aimed at ensuring fair elections but warned that continued alleged misconduct could lead to regime change.
The BJP criticised his remarks, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accusing unnamed groups of attempting to use young people to create political unrest. BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan also described the protests as a possible cover for an opposition effort to bring down the government.
Bhagwat also spoke about India's development priorities, calling for a model that balances scientific and technological progress with environmental protection and ethical values.
He emphasised the need to respect India's diversity in religion, language and food habits, while warning that development should not come at the cost of ecological balance.
Citing recent floods in Nepal, Bhagwat said development in the Himalayan region, shared by India, Nepal and China, needed to be carefully balanced with environmental concerns.
He also referred to the deaths in the Kolkata stampede, saying human-made tragedies and natural disasters highlighted the need to reassess development practices and protect human life.