Erase caste from mind to end discrimination: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said that caste discrimination could be eliminated from social practice only if caste was first erased from the mind.

Addressing a Jan Sangoshthi organised here as part of the RSS centenary year celebrations, Bhagwat said that caste was originally linked to profession and work, but later became entrenched in society, leading to discrimination. He was interacting with members of the public at the event, which was also attended by Prant Sanghchalak Anil Bhalerao. “To end this discrimination, one must eradicate caste from the mind. If this is done honestly, caste discrimination will be eradicated in 10-12 years,” he said.

Responding to questions from the audience, he said the RSS was neither created as a reactionary organisation nor functioned in competition with anyone. Those wishing to understand the Sangh, he said, should visit its shakhas.

At an event in Mumbai, Bhagwat further said that as long as Bharat was guided by dharma, the country would remain a ‘Vishwaguru’, asserting that such spiritual knowledge was unique to the country.

“Dharma is the driver of the entire universe, and everything runs on that principle,” he said, adding that dharma was not confined to religion.

“Whether it is Narendra bhai, me, you, or anyone else, there is one single force that drives all of us,” he said.