Hindutva

[Bodhi]

<b>In first speech as RSS chief, Bhagwat says their Hindutva idea emancipatory</b>

Express news service

Apr 01, 2009

New Delhi : At his <b>first public appearance after taking over as the new RSS chief, Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday invoked the names of former president A P J Abdul Kalam and the father of White Revolution, Dr Varghese Kurien, in his forceful articulation of Hindutva which, he said, was coterminous with “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the philosophy of the world being a family)” or “Bharatiyata”.

“All the inhabitants of Hindusthan are Hindus by virtue of their culture and way of life,”</b> the RSS Sarsanghchalak said, adding that the Sangh’s description of “Hindusthan” was not limited to “the geographical entity called India”.

<b>“It is variously described as being a Bharatiya, an Arya or a Hindu. But this idea is emancipatory — this talks about the welfare of all. Ingrained in our philosophy, this is also known as Hindutva,”</b> said Bhagwat.

The 40-minute speech, as per the Sangh tradition, steered clear of politics. However, Bhagwat sought change: “In the last 60 years of our Independence, many of our problems have not been addressed. We have changed rulers, we have changed governments, but true change can be brought by people’s aspirations... when they aspire to be world leaders.”

Recalling that Kalam had unveiled an encyclopedia on Hinduism recently, he said that every pronouncement of the former president had three essential ingredients — the need to respect India’s might (“Shakti ki aradhna”); ancient culture; and the belief that Hinduism was an amalgam of every other religion. Bhagwat also referred to Kurien’s book I too had a dream.

The Ram Lila Maidan — where the rally-cum-shakha was held — resounded with slogans. One of the banners on the dais read: “Arunodaya ho chuka hai veer ab, karma kshetra mein jut jaayein (the sun has risen, it’s time all of us got to work)”. Another banner, singing paeans to youth power, said: “Nav chaitanya hilorein leta, jag uthi hai tarunai (youth power has awakened).” Bhagwat, 59, incidentally, is the one of the youngest RSS chiefs in the organisation’s history.

He also touched upon some of the RSS’s favourite themes — that the “world is not a market” and that the Indians, with examples of strong institutions of family, had an example for the rest of the world.

Bhagwat’s predecessor K S Sudarshan and new RSS general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi too were present on the dais.

http://www.indianexpress.com/story_print...yid=441602