New Delhi, Aug 28 (UNI) RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat today discounted speculation about any rift with the BJP saying there may be difference of opinion but there is ”no quarrel.”
Addressing a question-answer session on the concluding day of the three-day lecture series and interaction on ‘100 years’ Journey of RSS : New Horizons’ here Mohan Bhagwat said RSS and the BJP can differ in opinion, but their objectives are in sync.
He also dismissed the narrative that RSS decides the president and the roadmap for the BJP and said “this is completely wrong. It cannot happen.”
“I have been running a shakha for 50 years now. No one can give me any advice on that that because I am the expert there. When it is about ruling the country, they have been doing it for long, so they are the experts. Yes we can give suggestions but the decision is their own.’’
He, however, said “If we were deciding, would it have taken so long?”, amid laughter by the audience adding that ‘’we don’t decide. We don’t want to decide…We help whoever seeks help for good work.’’
He said the RSS has good coordination with every government, be it state governments or the central government. But there are systems which have some internal contradictions.
To a question on retirement from politics at the age of 75 years he said he never advocated retirement at 75 years nor did he ever say anybody should retire. “I never said I will retire or someone should retire. In Sangh we are given a job to do. If I am 80 years old, and Sangh says go and run a ‘shakha,’ I will have to do it.’’
Advocating three children in a family, he said it is generally suggested for a family to have three children. Three children in a family will teach them to manage their ego. However, one should be able to manage resources for three children, he added.
He stressed the need for emphasis on India’s ancient culture in education and bringing of Gurukul practices closer to modern mainstream education system. He hoped that this would be done in the New Education Policy (NEP). ‘’I have heard this is happening.’’he added.
He said use of technology in education system could not be avoided. However, one has to learn to master technology and technology should not be allowed to master an individual. He also stressed the need for every child to learn Sanskrit language.
On the question of illegal immigration the RSS Chief said the change in demography is worrying. There is no harm in coming legally but illegal immigration should be stopped. Intentions behind coming in illegally should be observed.
He said ‘’Akhand Bharat is a fact of life.’’ ‘’We the people. We are one.’’
On the issue of renaming of roads he said there is no harm. But the roads should not be named after ‘’invaders.’’ There is not harm if roads are named after Abdul Hameed, APJ Abdul Kalam.’’ Except the names of invaders, any name is acceptable.
On reservation he said ‘’he supports reservation as provided in the Constitution. “Caste-based reservation must be approached with sensitivity,’’ he added.
