RSS chief lauds defence forces, govt over handling of Ladakh border dispute

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said that Indian defence forces, government and the people remained unfazed and responded sharply to China's boisterous efforts to invade the country's territories.

Nagpur (Maharashtra):Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday listed various 'noteworthy incidents' that took place in the last one year.

"Many noteworthy incidents occurred in the last one year. Before last year's Dussehra function Article 370 became ineffective following due parliamentary procedures. Bhoomipujan for grand Ram Mandir was performed on August 5, 2020, based on Supreme Court's unambiguous judgment on November 9, 2019. During the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ram temple, we witnessed the patience and sensibility of all Indians during these events. The lawful passage of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) also took place," Bhagwat said in his address at the annual Dussehra function at Maharshi Vyas auditorium, RSS headquarters in Nagpur.

Bhagwat said that using CAA, opportunists unleashed organised violence in the name of protests.

"CAA does not oppose any particular religious community. But those who wanted to oppose this new law misled our Muslim brothers by propagating a false notion that it was aimed at restricting the Muslim population. Using CAA, opportunists unleashed organised violence in the name of protests. Before it could be discussed further, the focus shifted on coronavirus this year. So, communal flare in minds of few people stayed in their minds only. Coronavirus overshadowed all other topics. In the background, the efforts by rioters and opportunists to reignite the conflict still continue," he added.

With Bhagwat, other RSS leaders participated in the annual Dussehra function at Maharshi Vyas auditorium, RSS headquarters in Nagpur. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only 50 volunteers were allowed inside the auditorium.

Commenting on the recent issue with India- China border row, he said that Indian defence forces, government and the people remained unfazed and responded sharply to China's boisterous efforts to invade the country's territories.

"The role of China in the context of COVID-19 pandemic can be said to be doubtful, but it was clear to the whole world, the manner in which China attempted to encroach on India's borders, because of its economic strategic force. Indian defence forces, government and the people remained unfazed and responded sharply to China's boisterous efforts to invade our territories," Bhagwat said.

"The message sent by our leaders with a sense of self-respect and the indomitable ethical-patience of our citizens must compel China to reform its attitude but if push comes to shove we will not fall short of alertness, firmness and readiness," he added. India and China are engaged in a standoff since April-May this year starting from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast. India has deployed close to 60,000 soldiers to counter the Chinese Army which first moved troops to transgress into Indian areas in Pangong Lake and other adjoining locations.

"This is probably the first time in Sangh's history since its foundation day that an RSS Vijay Dashmi programme, is being organised with such a restricted low number. We have done this keeping in view the COVID-19 protocol," Bhagwat said.

"Maintaining distance with their own family members, the corona warriors, risking their lives, embraced the death-scare posed by the virus and bravely stood at the frontline in this war round the clock. Government officials, medical practitioners practising different forms of medicine, police officers, municipality workers and cleaners displayed an extraordinary sense of responsibility by dedicatedly serving the infected patients," he said.

"Bharat stood strong in the face of corona and dealt with the calamity effectively. Our governing and administrative agencies promptly sprung up in action cautioning citizens, creating emergency task forces and efficiently implemented control measures," he added. Bhagwat also performed Shastrapuja, the Hindu tradition in which arms are worshipped annually in Dussehra by warriors.

RSS marks Vijay Dashmi as one of its biggest events when the RSS chief addresses the RSS workers on a number of issues concerning politics, society, national security and family values.

(ANI)