Congress-mukt Bharat not Sangh’s language: Bhagwat

Pune: There is no place for political discrimination in the vision for a united India and it is improper to use the terms Congress-free India or Sangh-free India, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat said on Sunday.

“Nation building cannot be the work of one man. It has to be inclusive, requiring contributions of the ruling and the opposition parties,” Mr. Bhagwat said at a book release in Balgandharva Rangmandir.

“It [Congress-mukt Bharat] is a political slogan…it is not in the parlance of the RSS. The word mukt (free or liberated) is used in politics, and not part of the Sangh’s lexicon. We never use the language of excluding anyone,” the RSS chief said.

Mr. Bhagwat’s remarks appeared to be in reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a Congress-mukt Bharat and the slogan of the Left-Ambedkarite parties for an RSS-free India.

Sundeep Waslekar, president, Strategic Foresight Group, said it had taken considerable efforts and struggle for both institutions (the Congress and the RSS) to be built. “The question is how to work with differing ideologies and seek a path towards resolution,” Mr. Waslekar said.

Mr. Bhagwat responded that Europeans have mastered the art of taking the opposition along with them. “We have to take everyone along in the process of nation building even if our thoughts do not agree. We need persons with a positive approach to bring about changes, else we will fall prey to conflicts and divisions.” The RSS chief further said the essence of Hindutva is having faith in oneself, one’s family, and the country.

Six books authored by Dnyaneshwar Mulay, secretary (consular, passport, visa and overseas Indian affairs), Ministry of External Affairs, were released at the event.