RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat inspects the swayamsevaks during a conclave, near Hinjewadi, on Sunday. Over 1,50,000 swayamsevaks attended the meet. (Express Photo by Pavan Khengre) RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat inspects the swayamsevaks during a conclave, near Hinjewadi, on Sunday. Over 1,50,000 swayamsevaks attended the meet. (Express Photo by Pavan Khengre)

Stressing that India’s culture is its true strength, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Sunday that Indians can’t rely only on the Constitution to seek equality, but it is important that they change their mindset, which is biased and lacks values.

Speaking at the Shiv Shakti Sangam programme in Marunji village, in front of 1,58,722 swayamsevaks and spectators, Bhagwat said, Dr Ambedkar had said that till economic and social inequality remains, political equality will always be under threat. “Laws alone don’t bring equality; protecting values and culture is equally important because they have the power to change the minds of people,” he said.

Bhagwat said that it is necessary for India to have equality in order to develop. “Only strong, developed countries can assert their views. The world follows strong countries and accepts their culture, even if it is good or bad. But if a country is weak, their good culture is rejected as well. Before Independence, we didn’t have any influence on the world. But when we got Independence, our influence began increasing. With nuclear technology, it increased further. Now entire world accepts yoga. Strength makes great thoughts global,” said Bhagwat. He also said that existence knows only one caste and religion and truth knows no discrimination. “If our society remains divided between caste and religion, it won’t be long before we are attacked again by the outsiders,” he said.

Saying that the size of population doesn’t matter, Bhagwat added that Indians should see how the citizens of Israel showed great resilience and stayed united to form a nation, even though they were surrounded by enemies. “Jews were scattered across different countries for nearly 2,000 years. But they had a conviction that they’ll unite and form their nation on holy land. That conviction is real “Dharma”. Only praying to God and going to temples isn’t dharma. Sticking together in the interest of nation is dharma,” said Bhagwat.

Bhagwat began his speech by paying a tribute to Savitribai Phule on her birth anniversary and also praised Chhatrapati Shivaji, who had united his people for the creation of Swarajya. On the occasion, nearly two lakh people, including 1,58,722 swayamsevaks from the districts of Western Maharashtra, were present. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, Pankaja Munde, Raosaheb Danve and Chandrakant Patil were also present for the event.

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