Coups never benefit a country, says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at Nagpur event

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, citing recent agitations in the country, said on Tuesday (October 20) that a coup can never benefit a nation. He was speaking at an RSS event in Nagpur. He said attempts like those made in France and Bangladesh have been made in India too, but a coup cannot happen here. He also spoke about the youth.

Bhagwat said, "What is happening in France and Albania, what happened in Bangladesh and Nepal, is all their work. They say that changing those in power will change the situation, but that did not happen. Their agents, who protect their own interests, are effective everywhere. That is why such actions are being carried out across the world. India is now their last target."

He added, "Such attempts are going on in India too. But the tough policy India has adopted over the past few decades, and the equally tough leadership that has run it, have thwarted their moves. They try to divide India, Hindus and the Sangh. Our country is still developing and has not become fully developed. That is why problems will persist." Bhagwat also said the youth have a great deal to do for their country, so conditions here cannot become like those in other countries.

Citing the example of Nepal, Bhagwat said the terrible tragedy there, in which thousands of people lost their lives, was fundamentally the result of one-sided development of the entire Himalayan region, which passes through several countries such as India, Tibet, Bhutan and China. He said a holistic and balanced approach to development is therefore necessary.

Five key points emerged from Bhagwat's speech. First, agitations should aim to resolve a problem, not to split society. He said problems arise, but their aim should not be hatred and division. Agitations are often used for other ends and become tools of politics. Society and the country are not run by leaders alone; problems can also be solved through the active participation of society.

Second, if we stay united, no one can harm us. Bhagwat said there are forces in the world that try to suppress India, but their influence must not be yielded to. He said Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal on Hindu-Muslim lines, and it had to be annulled four years later. But the partition of the country in 1947 could not be prevented, because people felt that those who look different are truly different.

Third, all of us share the same ancestors and our culture has common roots. Bhagwat said everyone should be taken along without erasing anyone's distinct identity, and that India's traditions and ideas have the capacity to offer solutions to the world's problems.

Fourth, there should be development, but without harm to nature. Citing the floods in Nepal, Bhagwat said technology is necessary for development, yet it must not damage nature. Development should take care of the environment and ethics along with the economy.

Fifth, rules should be set for OTT platforms and AI should be used properly. According to Bhagwat, people today get every kind of information, but using it without understanding right from wrong can cause harm. He said there should be rules for OTT platforms and that the government and administration should pay attention to this.

Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and his wife Dr Sudesh Dhankhar, Israel's Consul General Yaniv Revach, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari were also present at the event.