Nagpur, Oct 20: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday said that protests in a democracy should focus on finding solutions rather than creating social divisions. He warned that demonstrations could become tools for political interests when they are driven by objectives other than public welfare.
Addressing the RSS’s annual Vijayadashami Utsav gathering in Nagpur, Bhagwat said that attempts to change governments do not necessarily resolve fundamental problems. Citing recent political upheavals in Bangladesh, Nepal, France and Albania, he argued that forces pursuing their own interests often use regime-change movements to influence political developments.
“They claim that changing a regime will change the situation, but that has never really happened,” Bhagwat said.
Bhagwat Says Protests Should Focus on Solutions
Speaking about the role of protests in a democratic society, the RSS chief said that public demonstrations were inevitable, but their primary objective should be to address problems.
He cautioned that protests could be used to serve political interests and create hostility towards individuals, communities or ideologies instead of resolving public concerns.
Bhagwat urged political leaders, protesters and government authorities to act responsibly and prevent disagreements from turning into lasting social divisions.
He also stressed the importance of respecting the Constitution, maintaining civilised public discourse and following standards of decent conduct, regardless of the intensity of political disagreements.
RSS Chief Warns Against Attempts to Weaken India
Bhagwat said that a stronger India could face challenges from forces seeking to weaken and divide the country. According to him, while some global powers support India’s development, they may not want the country to become powerful enough to challenge their dominance.
He also alleged that certain forces exploit social differences, encourage feelings of victimhood among communities and undermine public confidence in national institutions to create dissatisfaction and disorder.
Bhagwat said that firm policies, leadership and growing national awareness among young people had contributed to strengthening India.
He further emphasised that national unity should be based on emotional bonds and a shared sense of belonging rather than on transactions or agreements.
“All of us Indians are one, and our unity is internal. It is a unity of the heart. It is not a bargain or a contract,” he said.
Bhagwat Calls for Responsible Use of Social Media and OTT Platforms
The RSS chief highlighted the need to help young people distinguish between reliable information and harmful or inappropriate content.
Expressing concern about the effects of unrestricted digital content, particularly on over-the-top (OTT) platforms, he urged the government to consider suitable regulations in the public interest.
Bhagwat observed that several countries had introduced regulations and restrictions on social media platforms after experiencing their adverse effects. He said that Indian society was also increasingly recognising the need for appropriate measures.
However, he added that regulation alone was not enough. Young people should also develop the ability to assess information critically and make responsible choices, even when content is freely available online.
AI-Generated Fake Videos Raise Concerns
Bhagwat also expressed concern about the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly for creating fake videos and spreading misinformation.
He said people should learn to understand and use AI effectively while ensuring that ethical principles remained central to technological development.
“We can already see how many fake videos are being generated using AI. A new tool has become available for spreading false propaganda,” he said.
He emphasised that technological progress should support human welfare and rational thinking rather than become a means of spreading misleading information.
Bhagwat Warns Against Consumerism and Drug Addiction
Speaking about India’s development, Bhagwat said that progress should not be measured only through material comforts and economic growth.
He noted that science and technology could improve living standards and encourage rational thinking, but they should be treated as tools rather than the ultimate goals of development.
According to him, development based entirely on consumerism and materialism could increase convenience while causing greater social and human costs.
Bhagwat also described drug addiction as a serious national problem that required timely action from both the government and society.
He urged parents and elders to guide young people away from harmful habits and help them make responsible decisions.
Himalayan Development and Nepal Floods
Referring to the devastating floods in Nepal, Bhagwat said that one-sided development across the Himalayan region could be partly responsible for such disasters.
He highlighted the need to consider the environmental and social consequences of development across the Himalayan region, which extends across several countries.
His remarks underlined the importance of balanced development that considers long-term sustainability alongside economic progress.
RSS Chief Advocates a Hindu Vision Based on Universal Brotherhood
Bhagwat called for an Indian development model rooted in universal brotherhood, spirituality and humanity. He said India should develop an integrated and balanced approach that could offer direction to the wider world.
Explaining the Hindu vision, he said it was not restricted to a particular form of worship, food habits, language, customs, lifestyle or political ideology.
He argued that the Hindu tradition had the potential to unite people without forcing them to abandon their individual identities or destroying the distinct identities of different communities.
Citing the phrase “Sa Prathama Sanskriti Vishwavara,” Bhagwat referred to India’s civilisational tradition and its broader cultural significance.
He said the RSS aimed to build a strong and well-organised Hindu society, adding that the objective was not opposed to respecting different faiths or strengthening the emotional unity of the nation.
Bhagwat also performed shastra puja, or weapon worship, during the RSS’s annual Vijayadashami Utsav in Nagpur.
His address covered a wide range of issues, including political protests, national unity, digital regulation, artificial intelligence, drug addiction, environmental sustainability and India’s development priorities.
