“Conversion is an act of violence and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has never supported this,” stated RSS chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday. Dr Bhagwat made this statement during the concluding function of Karyakarta Vikas Varga-2 of RSS held at Reshimbagh Ground. “We are not against it when done by choice. But luring, forcing and pressurising is something we are against. By telling people that their ancestors were wrong, it is an insult of them. We are against such practices,” said Dr Bhagwat while addressing the gathering. “We are with those who are fighting against conversion,” Bhagwat said, referring to tribal leader and former Union Minister Arvind Netam, who was the chief guest at the event.

 

“The recent ‘Operation Sindoor’ is a perfect example of unity in diversity. The terror outfits who challenged our culture, got a befitting reply from our Armed Forces in form of the operation. Similarly, people from all faiths come together nationally and internationally and showed the unity to the world,” said Dr Bhagwat. “We require this unity not just at the time of operations but for generations,” he added. Without naming Pakistan, Dr Bhagwat said, “They followed the policy of thousand cuts from the beginning and our enemies have always tried to divide us in the name of religion. But ‘Operation Sindoor’ gave them a taste of complete defeat and humiliation world-wide.” This military operation proved our technological abilities and exposed the so called military preparedness of our enemies, said the RSS chief. Dr Bhagwat said, the mutual understanding displayed by the political class following the Pahalgam terror attack and action taken by India later should continue and become a permanent feature.

 

India should be self-dependent in matters of security, Dr Bhagwat insisted. Mentioning about an incident of World War II, Dr Bhagwat said, “During World War II, Hitler bombarded London for nearly a month, expecting Britain to surrender. Whereas, Prime Minister Winston Churchill addressed the nation and later, told Parliament that the British would fight till the end.” “Their people supported the British Government and the same thing we Indians also have to do in case of full-fledged war with our enemies,” said the RSS chief. In the beginning, former Union Minister Arvind Netam urged RSS chief to work for the tribal community in Bastar, which is a Naxal-affected region in Chhattisgarh. “Conversion and Naxalism are the two major issues in Bastar and RSS should come forward and work for the tribal people there. Central Government getting success in curbing the Naxal issue in Bastar but tribal people there are attached with their land and forest. Government should think about the local people there before imposing development projects in forests of Bastar.”

 

The 25-day training camp, Karyakarta Vikas Varg Dwitiya, in which 840 volunteers from across the country participated, began on May 12 at Dr Hedgewar Smriti Mandir located in Reshimbagh. In the programme, Sarvadhikari Samir Kumar Mohanty, Vidarbha Prant Sanghachalak Deepak Tamshettiwar and Nagpur Mahanagar Sanghachalak Rajesh Loya also shared the dais. Along with them, Bill Shuster, former US Congressman from Pennsylvania; Bob Shuster; Bradford Ellison; Prof Walter Russell Mead, a renowned academician and writer; and Bill Drexel also attended the programme as guests.