RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
Disapproving of the violence in the name of cow vigilantism, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday said that it’s a crime to take law into one’s own hands.
Replaying to a question on cow vigilantism, the RSS chief pitched for protection of cows but made it clear that no one can be allowed to go against the law in the name of such vigilantism.
He also asserted that there should be stringent punishment in such cases.
Mohan Bhagwat, however, also questioned the silence over the violence by cow smugglers.
“We have to reject the double-speak as there is no talk of violence by cow smugglers," Bhagwat said on the final day of the three-day conclave organised by the RSS in New Delhi.
The question came in the backdrop of instances of alleged lynching by cow vigilantes in several states.
Responding to a question on Ayodhya controversy, the RSS chief pitched for an early construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site and said that it must be built at the earliest.
The RSS chief said that he supported a dialogue on the issue but the final decision rests with the Ram Mandir Samiti, which is spearheading the campaign for construction.
Mr Bhagwat said he would not know whether an ordinance on Ram temple could be promulgated since he was not a part of the government. He said issues such as whether an ordinance can be issued and legal challenges to it will have to be looked into.
The three-day outreach programme of the RSS came to an end today. Today's session, where chief Mohan Bhagwat answered questions from special invitees was the highlight of the entire programme. Mr Bhagwat answered questions on education, language, women safety and cow vigilantism.
Watch: Mohan Bhagwat calls for early construction of Ram Mandir
RSS not against inter-caste marriage: Mohan Bhagwat
Mohan Bhagwat also said the Hinduvta outfit was not against inter-caste marriage and it was an issue of compatibility between a man and woman.
Answering wide-ranging questions on issues like inter-caste marriages, education as well as the caste system, Bhagwat also said if there is a census on inter-caste marriages, the maximum cases will be those from the Sangh.
The RSS chief further said that India needs a new education policy.
Articles 370, 35-A must go: Mohan Bhagwat
Amid the raging debate, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday said that Articles 370 and 35-A of the Constitution, which give special status to Jammu and Kashmir, must go.
"Our views on Articles 370 and 35-A are well known. These Articles must go," the Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) said.
Of late, there has been a raging controversy over Article 35A that empowers the Jammu and Kashmir legislature to define "permanent residents" of the state and provide special rights and privileges to those permanent residents.
After huge opposition in Jammu and Kashmir, the new Governor had intervened in the matter when the state told the Supreme Court that a PIL on the matter be deferred for hearing later.
On the question of a demand for division of Jammu and Kashmir into three parts -- Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir Valley, Bhagwat said it was for the government to decide.
"The idea behind the division of any state is administrative convenience and the country's integrity and security should remain intact. If on these parameters the government feels at any time that the state should be divided, then so be it. If not, the state may remain intact," he said.
"But it needs to be seen whether the state government there is working for the development of all the regions of the state without discrimination. The primary thing is that the state government must ensure there is no threat to the internal security of the country," he added.
Bhagwat disclosed that some RSS volunteers have started running schools, etc., in the troubled state to work on the youth and prevent them from going astray.
"Vande matram and Jana Gana Mana are sung in these schools. Independence Day and Republic Day are also celebrated. We are getting good support from the students and their guardians. This will grow gradually, because no such attempt had been made earlier. The effort will take time to bear fruit," Bhagwat said.
On the question of need for tougher laws to maintain the internal security of the country, Bhagwat said that both government and society should ensure through reaching out to every section of the society that people do not get attracted towards elements which create a threat to the internal security.
He added that those openly opposing the implementation of law and order must be dealt with strictly.
"We cannot reach anywhere through the bullet but through talks. But the talks must go in a direction that Bharat must remain united and integrated," he said.
"We should ensure that those posing threat to country's security, those speaking the language of treason do not get the support from inside the country. We must isolate such people," Bhagwat said.
Politics of quota is problem, not reservation: Mohan Bhagwat
Asserting that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) always supported reservation system, its chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday said that reservation was not a problem, but the problem was the politics of reservation.
"RSS completely supports the reservation given by the Constitution to remove social stigmas. The decision as to how long reservation should continue, that has to be taken by those for whom reservation has been granted. Whenever they feel it is not necessary, they will decide.
"Till then it should continue, this has been the RSS' stand since the inception of the system and will continue to be so," Bhagwat said during interactive session on the concluding day of his three-day lecture series here.
"Reservation is not a problem, the problem is the politics of reservation. An organ of the society is lagging behind, it is a result of our doing. To cure this 1000-year-old malady, we have to bend for 100-150 years, I don't think that is an expensive deal," he said.
His latest assertion is in contrast with his 2015 public remarks calling for a review of reservation policies.
Refusing to comment on the Supreme Court's verdict "diluting" the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, Bhagwat stressed the need for effectively implementing the law.
"Atrocities (on Dalits) do happen. That is why this law was made. But the law should be properly implemented and should not be misused. It is a fact that the law has not been properly implemented and also it has been misused," said Bhagwat adding that law alone was not sufficient and social harmony was essential to prevent the atrocities.
(With agency inputs)
