Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Feb 8: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) should be framed by taking all sections of society into confidence and must not become a cause for division.
Speaking during an interaction at a programme organised to mark the centenary year of the RSS, Bhagwat said consensus and dialogue are essential while framing laws that impact society at large. Referring to the UCC implementation in Uttarakhand, he said nearly three lakh suggestions were received and the Act was passed only after consultations with all stakeholders.
“There should be no sense of majority or minority. We are one society,” Bhagwat said, stressing the need for trust, friendship and sustained dialogue with Muslim and Christian communities.
He further remarked that religion without spirituality tends to become aggressive. “Islam is called a religion of peace, but peace is not visible. What we see today in Islam and Christianity is not as per the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and Jesus Christ. There is a need to practise true Islam and Christianity,” he said.
On being asked whether “achche din” (good days) for the RSS began after the BJP came to power at the Centre, Bhagwat said it was “the other way round”. “Achche din did not come for us because of the BJP. We remained committed to the construction of the Ram Mandir. Those who supported that effort benefitted,” he said, adding that the RSS’ growth was the result of hard work and ideological commitment of its volunteers.
On the long-pending demand to confer the Bharat Ratna on Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar, Bhagwat said the prestige of the award would rise if it were bestowed upon him.
Commenting on the recent India–US trade pact, Bhagwat said he had not studied the details but acknowledged that India cannot remain isolated in a globalised world. “Every deal involves give and take. It should be a win-win arrangement and we must ensure that we are not at a loss,” he said.
US President Donald Trump recently announced that India and the US had agreed to a trade deal, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi said ‘Made in India’ products would benefit from reduced tariffs of 18 percent.
Addressing questions on the RSS’ role in politics, Bhagwat said the organisation advises when required, but political pressure comes from voters, not the RSS. “Their sins are blamed on us because they come from within us,” he remarked.
Asked why the communist movement had failed to expand its base over the last 100 years, Bhagwat said the RSS would be willing to guide them if asked.
Highlighting the organisation’s demographic profile, he said the RSS remains a young organisation with an average age of 28 years. “We want to bring it down to 25,” he added.
Several prominent personalities attended the event, including actors Raveena Tandon, Vicky Kaushal and Ananya Panday, filmmakers Karan Johar, Madhur Bhandarkar, Ramesh Taurani, and noted musician Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar.