During a recent award ceremony, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat made a bold claim about India’s role in the world. He asserted that global ‘evil forces,’ which he believes are actively working to spread negative ideologies, tend to weaken and eventually diminish upon reaching India. He attributed this to India’s deep-rooted knowledge and cultural resilience, stating that India essentially ‘performs their last rites.’
Bhagwat cited examples from around the world, including America, Poland, the Arab Spring, and Bangladesh, to illustrate the spread of these forces. He criticized those who promote divisive ideologies for their own gain, ultimately contributing to global cultural degradation. He explicitly mentioned a book on the cultural decline of America over the past century as a starting point for this trend.
However, Bhagwat remains optimistic, emphasizing that India’s unique cultural strength allows it to neutralize these negative influences. He noted that history demonstrates how these forces, despite growing stronger elsewhere, ultimately decline upon reaching India. This, he believes, is due to India’s ability to understand and manage them.
Beyond this global perspective, Bhagwat also addressed internal issues within India. He expressed concern over the growing skepticism among educated individuals, attributing it to a lack of strong role models. He also addressed the persistent issue of untouchability, stating it has no basis in Hindu scriptures and questioning the responsibility of those who convert to other religions due to frustration with the practice within Hinduism.
Bhagwat’s statements have sparked discussion about India’s role in a globalized world, its cultural resilience, and the ongoing challenges within its own society. While some may find his claims about India’s ability to neutralize global forces controversial, his words highlight the ongoing debate surrounding the relationship between cultural identity and global forces in the modern world.
