Mumbai: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Saturday that it is not in India’s nature to engage in controversies and that the country’s tradition has always emphasized brotherhood and collective harmony. Speaking at an event in Nagpur, the RSS chief said that India’s concept of nationalism is completely different from Western thinking.
At an event in Nagpur, Mohan Bhagwat said that India’s concept of nationalism is completely different from Western thinking. He said, “We do not argue with anyone. We stay away from conflict. Conflict is not in our country’s nature. Living together and promoting brotherhood is our tradition.” He also said that other parts of the world were formed in conflict-ridden situations.
He said, “Once an opinion is formed, nothing else is acceptable. They close the door to other opinions and start calling it an ideology.” Bhagwat also said that India’s concept of nation is fundamentally different from Western interpretations.
He emphasized, “They don’t understand our idea of nation, so they started calling it ‘nationalism.’ Our concept of ‘nation’ is different from the Western idea of nation. We have no disagreement about whether it is a nation or not—it is a ‘nation,’ and it has existed since ancient times.”
He claimed, “We use the word ‘nationality,’ not ‘nationalism.’ Excessive pride in the nation led to two world wars. That’s why some people are afraid of the word ‘nationalism.’ The RSS chief said that India’s nationalism is not born out of arrogance or pride, but rather from the deep connection between people and their coexistence with nature.
He also emphasized the importance of knowledge that leads to wisdom, stressing that practical understanding and living a meaningful life are more important than mere information. He said that true satisfaction comes from helping others. It is a feeling that lasts a lifetime, unlike temporary success.
