RSS U-turn: Can’t force people to chant ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’
Shahira Naim
Tribune News Service
Lucknow, March 28
Taking a U-turn on his earlier stand, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat today said proclaiming "Bharat Mata ki jai" could not be imposed on anyone and efforts should be made to raise the country's ideals and achievements to such a level that the world willingly hailed its greatness.
Bhagwat made the reconciliatory statement at a function to dedicate the renovated historic Smriti Bhawan, the old office of BJP's previous avatar — the Bharatiya Jan Sangh in the name of Sangh's fourth Sarsanghchcalak Rajendra Singh, popularly known as Rajju Bhaiya.
"We have to show the path to the world through our deeds and create such an India that there is 'Bharat Mata ki jai' across the world...We don't want to force anyone...it is not to be imposed," he said.
Bhagwat said as one earned more than one consumed, one should contribute more to society than what one received from it.
He said the RSS was determined to raise more people and communities dedicated to creating a great nation.
Virtually taking a U-turn on his earlier statement that the young in the country should raise the slogan of "Bharat Mata ki jai", Bhagwat today said the core of Indian culture could be summed up in the philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family). All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi had strongly reacted to Bhagwat's earlier statement by asserting that he would not chant "Bharat Mata ki jai, come what may.
His party's MLA in Maharashtra Waris Yusuf Pathan was suspended from the House for the remaining period of the ongoing Budget session of the assembly for not chanting the slogan. Bhagwat's change of heart comes a week after BJP leader LK Advani termed the controversy "meaningless".
