Can’t boycott all if a handful act irresponsibly: Bhagwat

Shishir Arya | TNN | Apr 27, 2020, 04:21 IST

The RSS chief also backed the government’s decision to allow export of anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine

Nagpur: It is not right to ostracize an entire group if a section of it has committed an irresponsible act, said RSS Sarsanghchalak (chief) Mohan Bhagwat in an online address on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. He also spoke about the steps to be taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Hinting at the Tablighi Jamaat incident and its fallout, Bhagwat said it is not right to have the same yardstick for an entire group and boycott them. There are black sheep everywhere, said Bhagwat, who stressed that such incidents should not fuel hatred or divide in the country.
“There may be fears among people about being quarantined or anger for being bound to their homes, but even the RSS has cancelled all its programmes till June,” he said.
“There is a segment which has the evil intention of dividing the nation. Such elements have become active these days and have also contributed to the spread of Covid-19 in the country. The common man should not react with hate or fear over any such incident. We should know that each of the 130 crore individuals living in India are our brothers,” said Bhagwat.
There should be no reaction out of fear or anger from either side. Leaders of every group should be preventing their people from such acts, said Bhagwat, as he also condemned the lynching of two Sadhus in Palghar.
“Much has been said about the incident, however, the question is that should it have happened at all. Should people have taken the law in their hands,” he said about the Palghar killings.
“There have been calls from Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha and Vishwa Hindu Parishad to pay homage to the sadhus on the 28th of this month, we all will be taking part in it,” said Bhagwat.
The RSS chief also backed the government’s decision to allow export of anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine. As it came after the US President Donald Trump’s statement that India may have to face retaliation if the ban on exports is not lifted, the government had drawn flak for the move.
“Each one who is a victim of the pandemic is our own, and will not be discriminated against. India has lifted the ban on export of certain drugs even if it may lead to some losses here. India is ready to provide help to anyone who asks for it. This is because we do not discriminate between humans,” he said.
Bhagwat also stressed on adopting Swadeshi as a fallout of the lockdown. “Once the lockdown ends, it must be seen that the dependence on foreign items is reduced. What is not needed should not be imported and Indian manufacturers must ensure standards of quality, he said.
Bhagwat also made an oblique remark on China. He narrated an incident of an Indian monk who had been to China to spread Buddhism and decided to print a book on his teachings in the Chinese language. “When he collected funds for the first time a massive earthquake struck and the money was spent on helping the victims. The next time there was a flood, and the money meant to print the book again went to charity. Finally, the book could be published in the third attempt. It was called the third edition of Buddha’s teachings, because twice before the monk had spread the message by his deeds,” said Bhagwat.