Bhagwat Pitches for Maximum Three Children, Minimum Three Languages

New Delhi:RSS supremo Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday clarified that his “retire at 75” remarks were not aimed at anyone but were in reference to the witticism of late Sangh leader Moropant Pingley. Saying there can be “matbhed” (difference of opinion) but no “manbhed” (differences at heart) with the BJP, Bhagwat also negated suggestions and speculation that the RSS decides for the BJP and that the delay in naming the next BJP chief was because the RSS was not agreeing on the name or names suggested by the BJP top brass. Bhagwat also batted for three children per family while citing studies on an overall decline in the birth rate.

Bhagwat was replying to questions on the concluding day of the three-day lecture series on 100 years of the RSS. He replied to a range of questions, from demographic changes to illegal immigrants to technology to language war to caste and more. He also asserted that Hindu Rashtra was a fact which needed no formal announcement from anyone.

“I never said I will retire or someone should retire. In the Sangh, we are given a job, whether we want it or not. If I am 80 years old, and the Sangh says go and run a ‘shakha’, I will have to do it. We do whatever the Sangh tells us to do… This is not for anyone’s retirement. We are ready to retire or work, as long as the Sangh wants us to,” Mr Bhagwat said in reply to a question about his earlier remark on “retire at 75”. He also said that what he said last month in Nagpur was over an incident related to Pinglay.

To questions on the RSS-BJP relationship and delay in naming the next BJP president, Bhagwat said the Sangh had good coordination with every government, both state governments and the Central government. “But there are systems which have some internal contradictions. The system in general is the same, which was invented by the British, so that they can rule. So, we have to have some innovations. Then, we want something to happen. Even if the man in the chair is 100 per cent for us, he has to do it, and knows what the hurdles are. He may or may not be able to do it. We have to give him that independence. There is no quarrel anywhere.”

He also firmly rejected any rift with the BJP and that the delay in naming the next BJP president was because of the Sangh. In fact, Bhagwat quipped on the BJP chief issue, saying: “If it were for us (to decide), would it have taken this long? … Take your time… we don’t have to say anything.” His remarks drew loud applause from the audience.

Bhagwat also asserted that the Sangh will not tell the Narendra Modi government how to deal with US President Donald Trump and will support its decision, maintaining that any friendship should not be “under pressure”. He also reiterated the RSS stand on reservations, saying it should be there till the beneficiaries do not feel the need for it. While speaking about what “Hindu” means, the RSS chief asserted that Christians and Muslims will connect with the common consciousness of India’s past and shared culture when forces spreading negativity and propaganda are checked.

Bhagwat also came out in support of the recent 130th Constitution Amendment moved by the Modi government which seeks the removal after 30 days of Central and state ministers, including the Prime Minister and chief ministers, who are facing serious criminal charges. The Opposition has been strongly protesting against it.

On questions about demographic changes, the population imbalance and illegal immigrants, Bhagwat said population imbalance was an issue and conversion was a major cause for it, and during his talks with several Christian leaders and heads of several madrasas, he was told that forced conversion was not allowed in Islam and Christianity.

“Religion is a choice… if I am not doing it with my own free will, then it should not happen,” said Bhagwat. He said to check illegal immigrants, society must also wake up to the issue and report if they find such cases and stop giving jobs to them.

“Our country should provide employment to our nationals,” said the RSS chief.

He also rejected suggestions that the RSS was not against Partition and the Sangh did not play any role in the freedom struggle. He cited several incidents, including that related with Aruna Asaf Ali, who had taken shelter during her underground days at a swayamsevak’s house, to assert the RSS’ role, noting at that time it was not a big organisation as it is now.

On the Mathura-Kashi reclaim movement, Mr Bhagwat said though the Sangh was not involved in it, swayamsewaks were free to go as Kashi, Mathura and Ayodhya have a special place among “Hindus hearts”.

On the language row, Bhagwat every Indian language was a national language. “All languages of Bharat are national languages. We need one language for communication, which should not be a foreign language… It should be left to people what should be that one language. We must learn our local languages,” said the RSS chief.

Making it clear that the renaming of cities and roads should be based on the sentiments of local people, Mr Bhagwat added that they should not carry the names of invaders. When this drew loud applause, Mr Bhagwat said: “Don’t start clapping thinking I said Muslim names should not be there. I did not say that. Names like Shaheed Havaldar Abdul Hamid should remain, names like Dr Abdul Kalam should remain... but not of any invader.” On criticism against some text in Manusmriti, Mr Bhagwat said there are several scriptures in Hinduism, but are not followed by most Hindus.