Economic dependence, infiltration top national challenges, PM Modi at RSS centenary event

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday termed economic dependence on other countries and illegal infiltration as top challenges to India's unity and internal security and hailed the RSS for working to address these issues.

Addressing a special event in the capital where he launched a postal stamp and a Rs 100 coin to commemorate the 100-year journey of the RSS, the ruling BJP's mother organisation, the Prime Minister said, "Economic dependence on other nations is a conspiracy to break our unity. Conspiracies are also under way to change our demography. As PM I must state humbly that the government is moving fast to address these challenges."

The PM referred to the demography mission announced during his Independence Day address and also hailed the RSS for "not just identifying but also drafting a roadmap to address the challenges of import dependence and infiltration".

Modi said self-reliance is a necessity and not an option anymore, adding, “Unity in diversity is India's greatest strength and this has to be lived and preserved.”

Lending weight to RSS' five-point pledge – self-realisation, social harmony, family values, citizen duties and ecological preservation, the PM said, “‘Swa-bodh’ means self-realisation and pride in one's heritage. Self-reliance is not just an option but a necessity.”

He said Swadeshi must become a foundational slogan and ‘vocal for local’ a pledge.

The PM warned against attempts to change demography through illegal infiltration as a major challenge to internal security saying, “We have to be alert for this challenge.”

Modi also termed Indian family system as the core of longevity of Indian civilisation and stressed citizen duties -- respect for law, regard for national property, care for sanitation and cleanliness -- as key to national growth.

Speaking after RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, who called the RSS as a force for social unity and one "that was not opposed to anyone", Modi said the RSS had braved bans, false cases and conspiracies to come out strong.

"No matter how many bans were imposed, conspiracies hatched, false cases slapped, the RSS never believed in rancour and hatred because they knew we are not isolated from society. What is good is ours, what is less good is also ours," said Modi, adding that solidarity with society at large and a deep faith in democratic values sustained the RSS through 100 years.

"What prevented hatred and rancour in the RSS was the deep belief of its workers in democratic values," Modi said, hailing the Sangh as a first responder in times of disasters and wars. The PM also identified himself as an RSS worker.

He recalled the praises former Presidents APJ Abdul Kalam and Pranab Mukherjee had for the RSS works when they had a chance to witness some and said, “Mahatma Gandhi also hailed the RSS’ discipline.”

The RSS will complete 100 years on Thursday with Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat to kick-start the centenary celebrations.