‘They have to be dealt with fearlessly’
* Population imbalance shouldn’t be ignored
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Oct 5: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat said today that certain forces are broadcasting wrong and fake narratives for spreading misperceptions; engaging and encouraging criminal acts, fomenting terror, conflict and social unrest are their tactics.
He was addressing annual RSS Dussehra rally at Reshimbagh Ground at Nagpur .
“Obstacles are being created by certain forces who are inimical to country’s unity and progress. They broadcast wrong and fake narratives for misperceptions. Fomenting terror, conflict and social unrest are their tactics. We are experiencing these,” Bhagwat said.
However, he didn’t name the forces but indications were obvious.
Asserting that these forces pit different sections of society against each other on the basis of sectional self interest and hatred, the RSS chief said they increase chasms and enmities’. This has been their conduct in independent India.
Bhagwat asserted that we shouldn’t fall in their machinations irrespective of their language, religion, region and policy. However, he said, they have to be dealt with fearlessly, relentlessly and be either protested or repelled.
“We should assist the Governments and administration’s efforts to control and bring such forces to their heels. Only our society’s strong and pro-active cooperation can ensure our comprehensive security and unity,” the RSS chief said.
He said India should frame a well thought out, comprehensive population control policy applicable to all social groups equally and flagged the issue of demographic “imbalance” as he also asserted there was no danger to minorities.
He said community-based “population imbalance” is an important subject and should not be ignored. Population imbalances lead to changes in geographical boundaries, he said.
“Seventy five years ago, we experienced this in our country. In the 21st century, three new countries that have come into existence – East Timor, South Sudan and Kosovo – they have been the results of population imbalance in certain territories of Indonesia, Sudan and Serbia,” he said.
The new population policy should be applicable to all communities equally to strike a balance, he said. “There has to be a balance among the communities in this country,” he added.
“Alongside the differences in birth rate, conversions by force, lure or greed and infiltration are also big reasons. All these factors have to be mulled over,” he said.
Bhagwat emphasised on the use of mother tongue and said “English language is not important for building a career”.
“When expecting the Government to institute the promotion of mother tongue, we should also consider whether we sign our names in our mother tongue or not? Whether the nameplates affixed on our residences are rendered in mother tongue or not? Whether household invitations bear the texts in the mother tongue or not?” Bhagwat said.
The RSS invited acclaimed mountaineer Santosh Yadav as the chief guest for the event. She is the first woman in the world to climb the Mount Everest twice.
Pointing out at China’s “one family one child” policy, Bhagwat said, “While we are trying to control the population, we should see what happened in China. That country went for the one child policy and now it is getting older.”
“With 57 crore youth population in India, we will remain a young nation for the next 30 years. However, what will happen to India after 50 years? Will we have enough food to feed the population?” he added.
Bhagwat raised concerns over India’s huge population. “Our country has a huge population – this is a reality. Nowadays there are two kinds of evaluation done on population. Populations require resources, if it keeps growing it becomes a big burden, perhaps an unbearable burden,” he said.
Therefore, with the perspective of population control, plans are made. There is another dimension in which population is considered an asset. Focus is on appropriate training and maximum usage, Bhagwat said.
The RSS chief said scare-mongering was being done by some people that there was a danger to minorities, but asserted this was neither the nature of the Sangh nor of Hindus.
“The Sangh resolves to stand on the side of brotherhood, amity and peace,” Bhagwat said.