At the concluding day of the event “100 Years of RSS: New Horizons” held at Vigyan Bhavan, RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat addressed contemporary and organizational questions during the Jigyasa Samadhan Satra. He gave detailed answers on issues ranging from demography, conversion, and population balance to national integration, culture, and education.
Demography and Conversion
Dr. Bhagwat emphasized that demographic changes often bring consequences, citing the partition of India and examples of Indonesia and Timor. He said that the intention behind demographic shifts is more important than the numerical change. “Conversions carried out under pressure or inducement are against Indian culture and threaten national unity,” he stressed, adding that even Catholic clergy and Muslim ulema have stated that their faiths do not approve forced conversion.
One DNA and Infiltration
Highlighting the cultural unity of the nation, Dr. Bhagwat asserted, “All citizens of Akhand Bharat share the same DNA.” However, he noted that every nation has its system and laws. Illegal entry into India cannot be justified. “Providing employment to infiltrators at the cost of our own citizens’ security is unacceptable. While the government has taken steps, more needs to be done,” he remarked.
Population Balance – Three Children Norm
He stressed that India’s population growth rate should remain balanced and sufficient. Noting that Hindu population growth is declining faster, he recommended that “every family should ideally have three children.” He explained that three children also contribute to psychological balance, values, and family harmony.
Akhand Bharat and Neighboring Nations
Calling Akhand Bharat a reality, Bhagwat said, “Those who denied it are not happy today. Despite boundaries, the cultural and civilizational unity of our ancestors and motherland must be cherished.” He highlighted that historical India remained united despite wars, kings, and different boundaries, and this unity must be restored for prosperity.
Hindu, Hindavi, Indic, Sanatan
According to him, the word “Hindu” represents the cultural heritage of India. Terms like Hindavi or Indic also embody the same idea. “A person’s religion does not change his community identity. The unnecessary fear of distinctive identities must end,” he urged.
Renaming After Invaders
Bhagwat argued against naming places after invaders, clarifying that this does not mean opposition to Muslims. “Who has a problem with names like Captain Abdul Hameed or Dr. Kalam? Our inspiration should be nationalism, not religion,” he said.
Caste, Varna, and Outdated Social Systems
He called caste and varna distinctions outdated, saying, “They were once part of life but today they are obstacles. We must discard pride and arrogance associated with them.” He emphasized inclusive social reforms, rejecting any caste-based references in texts like Manusmriti that contradict equality.
Relations with Other Parties
Referring to political relations, Bhagwat recalled that Jayaprakash Narayan, once critical of RSS, later acknowledged its role in social transformation. Similarly, former President Pranab Mukherjee admitted that his earlier beliefs about RSS were incorrect. Bhagwat stressed, “We are available to all who seek help in good work. We have even supported Congress leaders in the past.”
Education and Modernity
He called for education rooted in Indian values while embracing technology. “Technology must remain a servant of humanity, not its master,” he noted. He appreciated the inclusion of Indian ethos in the New Education Policy and welcomed madrasa and missionary institutions aligning with Indian traditions.
Employment and Degree-Oriented Education
Bhagwat criticized the job-seeking mindset tied only to government jobs. “Agriculture graduates want government jobs instead of farming. This is a crisis. Only 30% jobs can be provided by government and private sector combined. We must respect labor and delink degrees from jobs,” he said, warning that otherwise India’s workforce potential will be wasted.
RSS-BJP Relations
Addressing the perception that RSS dictates BJP’s decisions, Bhagwat clarified: “This is wrong. We are skilled in organizational work; they are skilled in governance. We can give advice but cannot decide. If we truly decided BJP matters, would their internal election have taken so long?”
