Vijayadasami Speech by Sarsanghachalak Mohan Bhagawat at Nagpur
This day,our minds are filled with the hallowed memory of our guiding lights like Swargiya Sudarshanji. In the course of the march of victory, the memory of great heroes provides us with the inspiration to forge ahead.
This day,our minds are filled with the hallowed memory of our guiding lights like Swargiya Sudarshanji. In the course of the march of victory, the memory of great heroes provides us with the inspiration to forge ahead.
Vijayadasami is the festival of victory. The whole nation celebrates
this festival to commemorate the triumph of humanity over savagery, the
forces of good over the forces of evil. This day is marked for
overcoming the limitations imposed on our efficiency and prowess by our
own imaginary weaknesses and to assert our valor. Since we can redeem
our nation from its present predicaments and intricacies only through
the multi-faceted efforts of the people’s strength, the peoples psyche
requires such a transgression.
We have demonstrated time and again our ability to do so even during
our 65 years of independence. In every field of human life, including
science, trade, arts, games, etc. and in the environment of competition
prevalent both at the national and the international level, the examples
that proclaim the acumen of Bharat, have become quite common
now-a-days. In spite of this, in the current situation, the minds of
people of our entire nation show the sign of anxiety, concern and, at
places, even disappointment about the future. The developments during
the last one year have helped only to accentuate these concerns. The
security situation, both internal and at the international borders,
still continue to be a matter of concern. The promptness should be
exhibited and efforts be seen to address the problems like the
inadequacy of latest weapons and ammunition, technology and other
equipment and materials our armed forces require to protect our land,
lack of proper roads, transport facilities to move men and material to
the frontier posts, and insufficiency in communication network. On the
contrary, unnecessary controversies regarding trivial matters concerning
the offices of the personnel of our armed forces are made topics of
unhealthy discussions in the media that affect the morale of our armed
forces. The will to achieve self-sufficiency in everything related to
national security through indigenous production should be seen in our
policy. No interest is shown The promptness should be exhibited and
efforts be seen to address the disinterest, inefficiency and lack of
coordination discernible in our defense strategy.
It is necessary to make fool-proof security arrangements to
protect our national boundaries, including the islands and archipelagos
that form part of our territory.
From the point of view of security, along with the security of the
national boundaries, military preparedness and protection, in the
present context, our foreign policy and its execution also play a
significant role. From this angle, the higher-ups in our administration
had a few years ago made a much-awaited declaration of “Look East
Policy.” All the South East Asian countries are aware and have accepted
that their basic values and that of Bharat’s national life are the same
and until recent times and even today, with reference to culture and
trade, they were having close relationship with us because of business
and other transactions. So, it was proper on our part to have resolved
to establish friendly relationship and cooperation with all these
countries. The people of those countries have also been favorable to
this. And, of course, the declaration was made with great speed and much
enthusiasm. However, the tardy progress at the level of implementation
has been most disheartening. The fact that China has entered the arena
as a competitor with full force and preparation makes the worry at the
low pace of progress on our part all the more confounded. Now we know
that China has befriended Pakistan to such an extent that they have
given their nuclear technology to Pakistan. And the consequences of
China surging ahead of us to establish such strategic relationship with
our immediate neighbors like Nepal, Myanmar and Sri Lanka could be
imagined from the angle of our national security. More over, in all
these places people of Indian origin are living in great numbers and to
safeguard the interests of these people also, our foreign policy should
be oriented in such away to keep these traditionally friendly countries
on our side.
But certain developments that happened with the backing of our own government and administration in the last few years, have only added to the worries of the people and created a suspicion in their minds, whether our policies are formulated in the best interests of our nation or not. In Jammu and Kashmir, because of the policies pursued by the government during the last decade, terrorist activities are on a come back trial. The areas under Pak-occupation have to be liberated; discrimination shown in administrative and developmental matters in the case of Jammu, Leh –Ladak and the Kashmir valley should be stopped forthwith and these areas must be made on par with the other parts of the country; conditions should be made favorable and secure for those Hindus to come back to the valley with honor, who were forced to flee their home and hearth; persons who took shelter in the state of J & K at the time of partitions should be granted state citizenship, but the policies adopted are further complicating the situation. The power crazy political parties governing at state and Center continue with the process of ignoring the national interests and are succumbing to the pressures of foreign forces. It appears from the prevalent situation in the eastern parts of the nation that we have not learnt any lessons from our grim situation in the Northern parts caused by the progressive depletion of the nationalist Hindu population due to historical processes.
But certain developments that happened with the backing of our own government and administration in the last few years, have only added to the worries of the people and created a suspicion in their minds, whether our policies are formulated in the best interests of our nation or not. In Jammu and Kashmir, because of the policies pursued by the government during the last decade, terrorist activities are on a come back trial. The areas under Pak-occupation have to be liberated; discrimination shown in administrative and developmental matters in the case of Jammu, Leh –Ladak and the Kashmir valley should be stopped forthwith and these areas must be made on par with the other parts of the country; conditions should be made favorable and secure for those Hindus to come back to the valley with honor, who were forced to flee their home and hearth; persons who took shelter in the state of J & K at the time of partitions should be granted state citizenship, but the policies adopted are further complicating the situation. The power crazy political parties governing at state and Center continue with the process of ignoring the national interests and are succumbing to the pressures of foreign forces. It appears from the prevalent situation in the eastern parts of the nation that we have not learnt any lessons from our grim situation in the Northern parts caused by the progressive depletion of the nationalist Hindu population due to historical processes.
We have been repeatedly warning for the last many years against
infiltration, smuggling of weapons, narcotics and counterfeit currency
notes, etc. through the porous border areas of Assam and Bengal. Our
intelligence agencies, High Courts and Supreme Court, and even the
governors of the respective states also have tolled the warning bell
from time to time against this menace. But ignoring all such warnings,
for the sake of power, wrong policies have been followed and wrong
decisions have been taken due to lack of a clear-cut national view, and,
as a result, Northeast India has been facing problems of grave
magnitude. The demographic imbalance caused as a result of infiltration
has rendered the native population into in a minority,in many parts of
NE Bharat and the phenomenon is stretching its hands all over Bharat.
The poisonous brew of separatism and terrorism, growing there under the
shade of religious conversion on a large scale, is given a new lease of
life time and again because of the weak policies. The interference by
expansionist China is looming large on our northern borders. Making use
of this favorable condition, terrorist organizations like Al- Qaeda are
also trying to get a foothold in the area. In such a situation, only the
effective presence of our armed forces and the strong moral of the
people who have been living there braving the adversities remain the
only substratum to ensure the security of our land and people. Before it
is too late, we have to change our policies at the earliest. In our
Northeastern region as also in other states of Bharat, infiltrators
should be identified at the earliest and their names should be deleted
from the voters list, and their ration cards, identity cards, etc.
should be cancelled and necessary arrangements should be made to send
back those infiltrators who are staying in our country illegally. The
National Register of Citizens should be prepared in accordance with the
clear-cut directions given by the courts, recording the place of birth,
place of either parents or grandparents, supported by relevant
documentary evidence. Not only in the Northeast region, but elsewhere
also it has been our experience that, whenever either under pressure of
public opinion or as directed by the courts, to identify foreign
nationals and doubtful voters becomes inevitable, both the government
and the administration have, rather than identifying such people,
invariably let off the Bangladeshi infiltrators and, at the same time,
harassed the harmless Hindu migrants from Bangladesh, who have settled
there for very many years.
We all have to clearly understand and accept that for the Hindu
society world wide Bharat, which is traditionally known as Bharat only
for the reason that this has been the land of Hindus, is the only land
they can claim as their fatherland and their sacred land. And wherever
Hindus become a minority or ineffective, even the names of such regions
get changed. If at all Hindus are forced to flee their land of residence
because of persecution, they have no other place to go. So, no Hindu,
from wherever he comes here, should be considered a foreigner. Either
those who have recently come here from the Sindh, or those who have come
from Bangladesh seeking refuge, or such hindus who have been forcibly
and unwillingly made to take refuge here because of the torture or
persecution they had to undergo, should get refuge in Bhatrat with love
and respect. Also, it is the responsibility of the Indian government to
play its role effectively to protect the interests of the Hindus all
over the world.
There is one more dimension to this whole sequence. Only for the
reason that the infiltrators belonged to their own religion, some
quarters come forward to even justify the illegal activities being
carried out by the infiltrators. People from the Northeast, staying in
other parts of Bharat, either for education or vocation, were being
threatened. The incident that took place at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai,
has acquired notoriety. It shows that the anti-nationals who take pride
in the desecration of the Amar Jawan Jyothi in Bharat in protest against
the action taken by the Myanmar government against Rohingyas, continue
to exist here.
It is a matter of concern, anger and disgrace that as a result of the policy adopted by the very administration detrimental to the national interest, and because of the growing impudence of the anti-national fifth columnists, such forces could bring great ignominy to both the law and order machinery and the government. It is very unfortunate that, in spite of all might and preparedness, those, who allowed a free play of anti-national forces because of their defective polices, are our own people, belonging to our independent nation.
Let alone inculcating national sentiment in the society as a whole, what we witness in our own Hindustan, is that, for the sake of votes, probably out of the feeling of fundamentalism or separatism or antagonism, for the last ten years attempts are being made progressively to insult or weaken the Hindu society either through wrong policies or through deception and subterfuge. Attempts are made to tarnish the image and goodwill of our revered Acharyas by leveling concocted charges against them. Swami Lakshmanananda, who was engaged in serving the vanavasis, was murdered through a premeditated action and the real perpetrators of the crime are still at large; misuse and misappropriation of the funds and assets of Hindu temples continue unabated; an atmosphere of suspicion and imputation is being created; with an aim to malign or denigrate the Hindu beliefs, traditions or cultural values, deliberate attempts are made to raise controversies regarding the funds and assets of Trusts formed by the Hindu saints and the temples like Sri Padmanabhaswami Temple of Thiruvananthapuram. Although the majority Hindu community is very broad-minded and accommodative, attempts are still being made to bring in a legislation that defames the Hindu society and vitiates the atmosphere of amity that prevails. The very people who swear by democracy, secularism and the Constitution, have introduced reservation based on religion and are advancing the theory that the minorities have the first claim over the national assets. Political alliances are hatched with the avowed aim of launching indirect attack against the Hindu society through love-jihad and religious conversion. As a result, in the mind of the Hindu society that has been living here, practicing the national values, naturally there has been a lurking doubt whether the leadership here is representative of them and taking care of their interests and aspirations or not? The dictatorial, materialistic and fundamentalist forces and the forces of rank opportunism that have infiltrated the state governments and the Central government, who are out to destroy Hindutva and Hindustan, are engaged in yet another attempt to vitiate the atmosphere of amity. According to reports, attempts are on to acquire a large plot adjacent to the Ramjanmabhumi so as to construct a big structure for Muslims.
It is a matter of concern, anger and disgrace that as a result of the policy adopted by the very administration detrimental to the national interest, and because of the growing impudence of the anti-national fifth columnists, such forces could bring great ignominy to both the law and order machinery and the government. It is very unfortunate that, in spite of all might and preparedness, those, who allowed a free play of anti-national forces because of their defective polices, are our own people, belonging to our independent nation.
Let alone inculcating national sentiment in the society as a whole, what we witness in our own Hindustan, is that, for the sake of votes, probably out of the feeling of fundamentalism or separatism or antagonism, for the last ten years attempts are being made progressively to insult or weaken the Hindu society either through wrong policies or through deception and subterfuge. Attempts are made to tarnish the image and goodwill of our revered Acharyas by leveling concocted charges against them. Swami Lakshmanananda, who was engaged in serving the vanavasis, was murdered through a premeditated action and the real perpetrators of the crime are still at large; misuse and misappropriation of the funds and assets of Hindu temples continue unabated; an atmosphere of suspicion and imputation is being created; with an aim to malign or denigrate the Hindu beliefs, traditions or cultural values, deliberate attempts are made to raise controversies regarding the funds and assets of Trusts formed by the Hindu saints and the temples like Sri Padmanabhaswami Temple of Thiruvananthapuram. Although the majority Hindu community is very broad-minded and accommodative, attempts are still being made to bring in a legislation that defames the Hindu society and vitiates the atmosphere of amity that prevails. The very people who swear by democracy, secularism and the Constitution, have introduced reservation based on religion and are advancing the theory that the minorities have the first claim over the national assets. Political alliances are hatched with the avowed aim of launching indirect attack against the Hindu society through love-jihad and religious conversion. As a result, in the mind of the Hindu society that has been living here, practicing the national values, naturally there has been a lurking doubt whether the leadership here is representative of them and taking care of their interests and aspirations or not? The dictatorial, materialistic and fundamentalist forces and the forces of rank opportunism that have infiltrated the state governments and the Central government, who are out to destroy Hindutva and Hindustan, are engaged in yet another attempt to vitiate the atmosphere of amity. According to reports, attempts are on to acquire a large plot adjacent to the Ramjanmabhumi so as to construct a big structure for Muslims.
The construction of Ramjanmabhumi Temple is an issue pending before
the court. So, making such irresponsible proposal at this juncture will
amount to playing with the sentiments of the people and will result in
vitiating the atmosphere of amity. Keeping in mind the judgment
delivered by the Allahabad High Court on September 30, 2010, the
parliament, in fact, should bring in legislation at the earliest to
allow the Ramjanmabhumi Nyas to construct a majestic Ramjanmabhumi
Temple, and at the same time ensuring that any construction for the sake
of Muslims shall be allowed only outside the cultural boundaries of
Ayodhya . This is the only way to solve the issue amicably, ridding it
of all political overtones.
However, the prevailing political atmosphere in our country is not
such to raise expectations of solving the issue in the best interests of
the nation, without vitiating social amity. Nowhere in the world the
experience of allowing big companies through direct foreign investment
in the retail sector has been encouraging. So to allow foreign
companies to enter in a big way in retail business by enhancing the
limits of foreign direct investment to insurance sector and pension
sector will, rather than bringing us any profit, ultimately result in
loss of income to retailers, lesser prices to our cultivators for their
produce, and price rise to consumers. Along with this, it may also pose a
threat to our food security. Even otherwise, plunder of our natural
resources, destruction of bio-diversity and environment in the name of
development and depriving those who are dependent on these of their
income and habitation, is going on unhindered. Citing the economic
progress made by a small section of our society, we have been claiming
that we are on the fast track of development! However, even that
progress has come down from 9 per cent to 5 per cent. And the whole
nation is reeling under price rise. The gap between the rich and the
poor has ever been increasing, so much so that the problem of inequality
has assumed frightening proportions. God alone knows why such
half-baked laws are brought in with breakneck speed with out any
deliberations or discussions. Instead of such so-called reforms what are
needed are real reforms. In this field, calls for well-meaning reforms
in the electoral system, tax system, internal auditing, penal code are
either ignored or suppressed.
The plan and direction of development currently followed by the
world, is the product of a deficient thought and the result is for us to
see all over. More over, this plan is being carried out according to
the game plan of rich multinationals to serve their ends. And till such
time we redraw our plan with an holistic approach and abreast of the
times, taking into account all dimensions of life, according to our
ability, necessity and capacity, we will not be able to achieve a
balanced development and progress beneficial to all; nor the world will
be able to emancipate itself from the incomplete and deceptive life it
is presently leading.
The consequences of incomplete thought had made the lack of national
and individual character in our country more pronounced and painful. The
mind-boggling revelations about corruption have not come to an end yet.
Many small and big agitations have been conducted demanding punishment
to the corrupt, for bringing back black-money stashed away in foreign
banks, and for stringent laws to curb corruption. Many Sangh
swayamsevaks also have taken part in such agitations. At the same time,
knowing well that corruption is on the rise because of lack of
character, Sangh continues to concentrate in its work of character-
building..people should be made aware of need to change the system,
taking care to ensure that they do not fall a prey to disappointment or
develop any aversion.for the system. Or else, a situation similar to one
developed in the Middle East countries in which fundamentalist and
foreign forces had created almost an anarchic situation to serve their
interest, would be repeated here. Non-political, lawful and wide social
pressure is the only means to eradicate corruption. For its success, we
will have to bring about widespread reforms in the educational system,
administrative system and the electoral process. Also, through
widespread discussion and exchange of views, we will have to think of
the basic as well as long-term changes to be effected in our system. The
ill-effect of blindly following even now a defective and destructive
pattern in our social life, is now very much before us. Increasing caste
feelings and hatred, exploitation and harassment of the deprived
sections of the society, the growing instances of harassment of women
due to lack of moral values, including among educated sections, rapes,
female- feoticide, licentious living, murders and suicides, breaking up
of families, growing antisocial activities, stress and depression in
life due to loneliness, which were not seen, or only minimal in the
society earlier, have become endemic now.. And time has come for us to
think about system based on our eternal values, suitable to the present
times to reorganize the society.
We can’t become free of fault by leaving all responsibility to politics, government and the administration. Right from our homes up to the social sphere, are we in a position to project ourselves as the perfect example of purity, lawfulness, discipline, honesty in dealings, sensitivity, etc. that form the practical and necessary ingredients for a solid national life? Let us know the basic fact that every reform starts from our own view of life and behavior and nothing can be achieved merely through agitations.
We can’t become free of fault by leaving all responsibility to politics, government and the administration. Right from our homes up to the social sphere, are we in a position to project ourselves as the perfect example of purity, lawfulness, discipline, honesty in dealings, sensitivity, etc. that form the practical and necessary ingredients for a solid national life? Let us know the basic fact that every reform starts from our own view of life and behavior and nothing can be achieved merely through agitations.
Mahatma Gandhi has mentioned about seven social sins in one of the issues of Young India, in 1922.The seven social sins are:
• Politics without Principles
• Wealth without Work
• Pleasure without Conscience
• Knowledge without Character
• Commence without Humanity
• Worship without Sacrifice
• Politics without Principles
• Wealth without Work
• Pleasure without Conscience
• Knowledge without Character
• Commence without Humanity
• Worship without Sacrifice
This appears to be description of our present-day social and
political scenario. In such a situation, it is for the forces of virtue
to work in society, taking society along with them. We have to accept
this challenge and move forward. Swami Vivekananda was one among the
pioneers of Indian renaissance from whom great men like Mahatma Gandhi,
had drawn inspiration. In the coming days, the celebrations of his 150th
birth anniversary will commence. It is for us to realize his message.
Becoming fearless, with self-respect and self-confidence and sterling
character we will have to do penance. We have to awaken the Dharmic
Bharat through our dedicated, selfless work and serving man as God
without expecting anything in return.The work of Rashtriya Swayamsevak
Sangh is to mould individuals filled with these qualities. This work is
the need of the hour. All of you have to actively participate in this
work. Attracted by our incessant penance and unrelenting hard work, the
society will rise and come forward to work together. Then, like the
great Ganges rushing towards the sea overcoming all obstacles, the star
of good fortune of our nation will start his journey from his horizon to
zenith.So, as exhorted by Swami Vivekananda, let us “Arise! Awake! Stop
not till the goal is reached!”
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