RSS CHIEF ON PROTESTS
New Delhi, Oct. 21 -- Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday said that andolan, or agitation, does not bring about change; and solutions to problems often come from within society, adding that when protests are political or instigated, they can create tension and anarchy, and disrupt public order.
"Experience shows that it is neither the government alone that can resolve all the problems of society, nor is it true that problems can be resolved only through agitations. Solutions can also emerge through the active participation of the society and dialogue among its members," Bhagwat said, delivering the annual Vijaydashami lecture in Nagpur.
The RSS chief's comments come against the backdrop of ongoing street protests by the Opposition and the Cockroach Janta Party demanding electoral reforms and the removal of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the conduct of the special intensive revision (SIR).
The Opposition, particularly the Congress, has accused the poll panel of working at the behest of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, the political arm of the Sangh.
The RSS chief said that the people of India needed to be cautious that there were forces in the West that wanted India derailed from its path of becoming a developed nation.
" A storm has swept in from the West, driven by a demonic resolve to destroy and devastate all that is decent, auspicious, and rooted in cultural and human values, both in Bharat and across the world. Even the so-called developed nations across the world are afflicted by this storm and find themselves helpless before it. However, over the past decades, Bharat has gradually carved out a place for itself in the world through its own strength and sound policies," he said.
He cited France, Albania, Nepal and Bangladesh as examples of foreign interference that tried to push regime change as a means of finding solutions.
"Look at what has been happening in France, Albania, Nepal and Bangladesh in recent days. They want to make similar attempts in Bharat as well. But a change of regime does not change anything. Look at the situation there," he said.
Even as he acknowledged the right to protest being part of democracy, the Sangh chief said, the purpose should not be to exacerbate differences and stoke anarchy.
"India is still progressing and there are lots of problems that still exist. And because of that many protests happen as they should in a democracy, but why should protest happen for solutions? The aim is to find a solution, it (protest) should not create divisions, friction and factionalism," he said.
He went on to add that while the administration was taking measures to maintain peace and order, people should ensure that their actions did not create discord, animosity, resentment, bitterness, or divisions, and even when emotions run high, their actions must remain within the bounds of our Constitution and the law.
The RSS, the ideological fount of the BJP, has backed the government's policies on internal security, external affairs and economy, although its offshoots have been pressing for more indigenous production to cut dependence on exports.
Echoing the government's views that the ongoing protests were being "orchestrated", Bhagwat said it was erroneous to think that circumstances would change with a change of regime, because it never happened before and won't happen again. Bhagwat said that there was a section of people in India who seemed to reflect what these forces want....
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