India does not need lessons on secularism from others, says RSS chief
From Sandeep Sharma
GUWAHATI: India does not only preach but practices secularism, democracy and pluralism as the great nation follows the concept of vasudhaiva kutumbakam (world is one).
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, while releasing a book titled ‘Citizenship Debate over NRC & CAA: Assam and the Politics of History’ here on Wednesday also stated that Indian citizens do not need to learn the concept of inclusiveness from other nations.
Bhagwat commented that since 1930, there have been attempts to increase the Muslim population in a planned manner to exercise dominance and slowly turn this nation into Pakistan. “Hence the original habitants got threatened to maintain their language, culture and other social values when the systemic effort was made to change its demography,” he said.
Speaking about CAA and NRC, Bhagwat asserted that both have nothing to do with the Muslim citizens in the country. But unfortunately, a section of intellectual has tried to make it a Hindu-Muslim issue for extracting political benefits out of the controversy, he said
He asserted that India was divided by a group of leaders without the endorsement of millions of freedom fighters and common Indians.
They wanted a unified Bharat, but their dreams shattered when many of them found themselves as Pakistani nationals, said Bhagwat adding that after the partition, New Delhi addressed the concerns of minorities, but Pakistan did not and it compelled hundred thousands of persecuted Hindu, Sikh, Jain, etc families to leave their ancestor villages and enter India.
Lately, the country has witnessed the emergence of a large number of people who demand all constitutional rights but they do not like to perform duties defined by the same constitution, he opined adding that Indians are all relatives even though they pursue different languages, cultural activities, rituals and food-habits.
Thanking Nani Gopal Mahanta for writing the book, Bhagwat hoped that it would provide an insight with facts to the political turmoil that took place in the recent past.
Mahanta expected an informed debate over the highlighted issues in the book, which is published by Sage International.
Addressing the function, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that in Indian democracy which has the reputation of being the largest in the world with the democratic tenets deeply ingrained in it, has the scope of airing one’s alternative voice.
Congratulating the author in writing the book, Sarma said that the book, based on facts and figures, gave an analytical treatment to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). He also said that the presence of Bhagawat in Guwahati to inaugurate the book is a matter of pride and prestige.
Gauhati University vice chancellor Pratap Jyoti Handique also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, author Nani Gopal Mahanta gave an overview of the book.
Assam Legislative Assembly speaker Biswajit Daimary, several ministers, MLAs and host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
