RSS to counter fake narratives peddled under agenda against country, culture: Hosbale
Jammu, Dec 7: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarkaryawah Dattatreya Hosbale has asserted that the organisation will counter “fake narratives wilfully peddled against it (RSS), Bharat, its culture
He was delivering keynote address on “100 years journey of RSS and the vision for future” in the event in Jammu on December 6 in connection with the RSS centenary celebrations.
He said RSS always believed that the country (Bharat) should focus on its progress besides making endeavours to raise its stature in comity of nations as a leader.
“In the past 100 years, RSS took upon itself the responsibility to unite the Indian society to pave way for the ‘Bharat’ for this leadership role in the world. After the completion of its 100 years, a span where the RSS infused a sense of discipline, patriotism and service (for society and nation) with the overwhelming cooperation of varied sections of the society, the organisation has charted its plan of action in its centenary year,” he shared.
Hosbale stated that the envisioned plan of action would be an extension of the principles followed and works executed by it (RSS) during the last 100 years.
“Focus would be on five-pronged action plan. One of the major tasks will be to counter fake narrative peddled among and by the intelligentsia of the country vis-à-vis ‘Bharat’ as a nation, its history, Hindu Samaj (society), culture and traditions of the country – its past, present. Many a time wrong or distorted narratives are peddled – sometimes it happens because of ignorance while the other times, it is done wilfully, as a part of vicious agenda,” he stated.
Citing examples on this account, Hosbale said, “For example, narratives are built, have been – Bharat (India) is a backward country guided by regressive thought process demeaning its women; India is a rape capital; Sanskrit is a dead language; India never had traditions aligning with science or scientific education and spirit; Indian became a nation-state only after the arrival of the British etc. This happens inspite of the fact that these narratives don’t stand the scrutiny of historical evidence.”
He asserted that to counter those distorted narratives and present things in correct and historical perspectives, would be the major responsibility.
“This can be done through textbooks; media; public spaces, academics – like universities and international so as to present the facts as they are -in a truthful manner and not in distorted versions. This is imperative. Endeavour is to connect different sections of the society to present correct perspective of India and all other related aspects before the country and the world. This will be a kind of awakening of India’s self-pride,” RSS Sarkaryawah Dattatreya Hosbale reaffirmed.
Referring to many “ill-founded perceptions about RSS, Hindutva, Sanatan Sanskriti as Bharat’s intrinsic identity”, Hosbale profusely quoted many profound thinkers and political leaders including Maharishi Aurobindo, Swami Vivekanand, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr S Radhakrishnan and many others.
“The English created a smoke-screen to distort the true identity of Bharat – the fulcrum of which was Sanatan or Hindu traditions. It was not related to one particular religion. It was related to all the communities, individuals of Bharat. It is not rooted in the hatred against any religion. After independence, India chose democratic set where every religion has equal rights but Sanatan culture, traditions continue to be identity of Bharat till date for the world and this finds manifestation in the ways, we welcome our guests (including foreign guest), we celebrate our victories, festivals. Significance of this tradition is its eternal flow of thoughts which effectively check stagnation,” he stated.
In this context, Hosbale pointed out, “The family bonds have been the biggest strength of the Indian society since times immemorial. They helped the country, its culture surviving foreign onslaught for centuries and keeping it as a living entity. At the same time, diversity has always been our strength and Bharat can teach it to the entire world.”
At this point, he also quoted Kuldip Nayar, veteran journalist and former High Commissioner for India in the United Kingdom.
“Nayar had mentioned his conversation with the former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who had asked Mikhail Gorbachev, the then President of USSR to take cue from India which was a nation despite its diversity. Thatcher had once attended an RSS function as well where she asserted that Indian could teach the British its family system. India can offer and teach the present world its unique capability to remain as one unit despite its diversity,” Hosbale said.
He stressed that the children should be taught regional languages to keep alive the culture and traditions.
