‘Lynching’ a western construct, being used to defame India, says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday said lynching is a "western construct" and should not be used in the Indian context to defame the country.

Addressing the Vijayadashami function of the RSS at Reshimbagh ground in Maharashtra's Nagpur city, he said the word 'lynching' does not originate from Indian ethos but comes from a separate religious text, and such terms should not be imposed on Indians.

He also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the government's move to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, but said some vested interests do not want the country to be strong and vibrant.

Voicing his displeasure over several incidents of mob violence in the country, he said, "Lynching is not the word from Indian ethos, its origin is from a story in a separate religious text. We Indians trust in brotherhood. Don't impose such terms on Indians."

"Lynching itself is a western construct and one shouldn't use it in the Indian context to defame the country," he said.

Bhagwat urged citizens to create harmony, and that everyone should live within confines of the law. "Swayamsevaks are brought up with that sanskar," he said.

He said in the past few years, there has been a transformation in the "direction of thought process of Bharat".

"There are many people in the world and in Bharat as well, who don't want this. A developed Bharat creates fear in the minds of vested interests...such forces will also not want Bharat to be strong and vibrant," the RSS chief said.

Even well-meaning policies, statements from persons in government and administration were being misused to benefit nefarious designs by vested interests, he rued.

"We must be alert in identifying these plots and counter them on intellectual and social levels," he said.

Bhagwat said the world was eager to know if the 2019 elections in such a huge country will be conducted smoothly.

"Democracy in India is not something imported from any country, but a practice which has been prevalent here since centuries," Bhagwat said.

He said India's borders were now safer than ever, and more focus was needed on coastal security.

"The number of guards and check-posts on land borders and surveillance along the maritime border, especially on islands, have to be increased," he said.

On concerns over the economic sector, he said the slowing down of world economy has left its impact everywhere.

"The government has taken initiatives to tide over the situation in the last one-and-a-half months. Our society is entrepreneurial and will overcome these challenges," he added.

In the morning, Bhagwat performed 'shastra puja' at the Sangh's annual Vijayadashmi event.

HCL founder Shiv Nadar was the chief guest for this year's event.

Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Gen V K Singh (retd) and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were among those present at the event.

According to a report in Hindustan Times, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s speech in the last 5 years have asked Modi government to fulfil its key promises such as repealing Article 370. Constructing a Ram temple on a disputed site in Ayodhya and framing a uniform civil code. Apex court, which is currently hearing the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case, has set October 18 as the deadline to finish hearings in the case.

Isssue of Ram Mandir came up in the 2012 and 2018 speeches also, both preceding general elections. Whereas the Kashmir issue was highlighted in 2016 when Bhagwat called for an urgent need to promote, consolidate and establish nationalistic activities and forces. “…There should not be any compromise whatsoever on the principle that the whole of Kashmir, including Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Gilgit and Baltistan, is an inseparable and integral part of Bharat. There is an urgent need to rehabilitate with honour and security and ensuring all-round welfare, our Hindu brethren, who had migrated from those areas, and the Pandits, who were forced out of the Kashmir valley.”