Changing those in power has never changed anything, says Mohan Bhagwat at RSS Vijayadashami event

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat spoke on Tuesday at the organisation's Vijayadashami event in Nagpur. He referred to the protests in France and to developments in Albania, Nepal and Bangladesh. He was addressing the question of whether a change of power can bring lasting improvement in a country's conditions.

Speaking at the event, Bhagwat said a wave originating in the West is challenging established systems, etiquette and cultural values, and is trying to break them down.

Speaking of political and social upheaval, Bhagwat named these countries. "Look at what is happening in France, what is happening in Albania, and what happened in Nepal and Bangladesh," he said.

Bhagwat questioned the notion that changing a government or those in power makes conditions improve on their own. He said such an approach has not delivered the promised results before and will not do so in future.

"People say that conditions will change if power changes. But this has never happened. It did not happen before, and it will not happen now," he said.

His remarks drew attention to the wider consequences of political upheaval, and to the view that merely replacing those in power can solve a country's fundamental problems.

The speech was delivered at the RSS Vijayadashami ceremony in Nagpur. The occasion carries added significance this year as the organisation is celebrating 100 years since its founding in 1925.

The annual event is counted among the RSS's major gatherings. It includes traditional rituals, and the Sangh chief addresses issues relating to society, governance and national life.