"Devotion to Bharat Mata applicable to everyone, holds us together": RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Nagpur: Noting that residents of the country are "descendants of common ancestors", Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday said that "devotion to Bharat Mata unites people" and that it should be followed by all irrespective of caste, sect and religion.
Addressing the annual RSS Vijayadashami Utsav here, Mohan Bhagwat said that the geographic location of India provided natural protection with mountains on three sides as well as sea and that people in the country had devoted their time in search of internal truth which also manifested as the "unity of the world".
"This is the blessing of Bharat Mata. Devotion to Bharat Mata is what holds us all together...This is applicable to all castes, sects, religions," he said.
The RSS chief said that people should follow those who had strived hard to preserve the country's culture and civilizational heritage.
"Three elements - devotion to the motherland, pride in forefathers and common culture - make us one nation by tying together all diversities of language, region, religion, sect, caste, sub-caste. Even those who follow faiths which have come from outside must follow these three elements," he said.
The RSS chief said that truth, compassion, internal and external purity of heart and penance are four principles "of all our Dharmic faiths".
"Our ancestors lived these values, leading to the development of our culture. We must live those values," he said.
Mohan Bhagwat said India has several faiths and some more came due to foreign invasions.
"We are all-inclusive, accept everyone. Devotion to Mother India is applicable to everyone. We are descendants of common ancestors," he said.
"The countries of the world discovered some man-made basis of unity like religion, and language. But these bases (of unity) were not durable. And there was not much diversity in those countries. They do not understand that despite having so many languages, sects, societies, customs and others, there has been unity in India for centuries. This thing both surprises and attracts them," he added.
Mohan Bhagwat also referred to the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 and said that attempts to harvest votes by inflaming emotions are not desirable.
"Let us avoid these things, as they hurt the unity of the society. To cast vote is the duty of every citizen, and we must follow it. Cast your vote keeping in mind the vital issues of unity, integrity, identity, and development of the country," he said.
The RSS chief referred to India hosting a successful G20 Summit.
"The hospitality of Indians was praised. People from different countries experienced our diversity. They saw our diplomatic skills as well as our honest goodwill. Our leadership gave India a place in the world," Mohan Bhagwat said in his customary address.
The RSS chief also pointed to threats that should be addressed.
"There are some people in the world and in also India who do not want India should move forward. They try to create factions and clashes in society. Because of our unawareness and lack of belief, we also sometimes get entangled in it, and unnecessary nuisances are created. If India progresses, they will not be able to play their games; therefore, they continuously oppose. They adopt particular ideologies just for the sake of opposing" the RSS Chief said.
The annual 'Vijayadashmi Utsav' of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) started with workers' 'Path Sanchalan' (route march) in Nagpur earlier today. Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan was the chief guest.
On the occasion, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat paid tribute to the founder of the organization KB Hedgewar. He also performed 'Shastra Pooja' on 'Vijayadashami Utsav'.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were also present at the event.
RSS was founded in 1925 in Nagpur on Vijayadashami day. Dignitaries from various fields are invited as chief guests every year for the Vijayadashami Utsav.