Nagpur: “Misinterpretation of ‘dharma’ (religion) , or not understanding its basic tenets results in atrocities,” said Sarsanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat. His remark comes at a time when religious intolerance is at a new high and fundamentalism is threatening to rip apart the country’s social fabric.
The RSS supremo was speaking at the centenary celebrations of the Mahanubhav sect ashram Govind Gurukul at Bhankhed in Vidarbha’s Amravati district on Sunday. “When dharma is not properly understood it leads to `adharma’ (immorality) fuelling persecution and atrocities witnessed all over the world,” he implored.
Amravati, Maharashtra: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat says, “It is essential to fully understand Dharma. Incomplete understanding of Dharma often leads to Adharma. The atrocities committed in the name of religion throughout the world are due to this lack of complete knowledge. To… pic.twitter.com/w2X6fZaESA
— IANS (@ians_india) December 22, 2024
Only two days ago, speaking at a congregation in Pune, the RSS chief had called for a halt to disputes over religious sites. “Let us not look for more Ayodhya- like situations . We need to end the Mandir- Masjid disputes and demonstrate once again to the world that disparate faiths can co-exist peacefully,” he had stressed. The stand taken by Bhagwat was welcomed by political leaders as well as the people.
“Atrocities committed in the name of dharma are rooted in misunderstanding and lack of true comprehension of religion. Dharma is eternal and governs the world’s working,” he said addressing the followers of Mahanubhav sect and noted that making one understand the true values of a dharma was a very tough proposition.
“Any move to correct a person and make him imbibe the true spirit of dharma is often met with stiff resistance and aggression,” Bhagwat opined, underling the potential dangers of misinterpretation of major religious faiths. “We need sects to make people understand the true meaning of dharma. But mere existence of sects is of no use unless there is a rationale behind it. Rational thinking helps building a good society,” the RSS chief exhorted.
While speaking about the dharma or misinterpretation of it, Bhagwat did not name any particular religion. So it applies to all faiths across the world and is more relevant in the Indian context where there is growing polarisation, hatred spread in the name of religion particularly in the run-up to elections.
Bhagwat’s two statements in the last three days may have a sobering impact if the political leaders pay heed to them, say Sangh watchers here. For the Sarsanghchalak and the RSS the last quarter of the year 2024 that is drawing to a close was particularly momentous .
In his Vijayadashami speech in October he had dwelled on the plight of Bangladeshi Hindus and gave a clarion call for unity among all following that faith to protect themselves.
Earlier in the year, the RSS’ disenchantment with political leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party had caused the latter dearly in the Lok Sabha elections. Then Haryana and Maharashtra state elections happened where the RSS played a major role in helping the BJP win big in both the states.
In between Bhagwat caused ripples with his call for every Hindu family to have at least three children to ward off any demographic threat to the religion. His call for an end to fresh Mandir-Masjid conflicts and the need to follow the true spirit of every religion could be seen as a push for harmony as we enter the new year.
