Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), said on Thursday that Sanatan Dharma promotes social harmony and unity, while warning that discrimination based on caste harms both religion and society.
Speaking at an event at a Swaminarayan Temple, Jetalpur, Bhagwat said every element of God’s creation has a purpose, and developing a sense of belonging towards all people is the true essence of social harmony.
“In God’s creation, even a dry blade of grass has its purpose. Accepting everyone with that feeling and carrying a sense of belonging in the heart is what social harmony means. Everyone is part of God’s creation,” he said.
Questioning social hierarchies, Bhagwat asked where the notion of superiority and inferiority had originated. While caste and class structures may have existed historically, he said they were not intended to foster discrimination.
“Where did the idea of high and low come from? Caste and class systems may have existed, but they were not meant to create discrimination. When discrimination enters such systems, it damages both religion and society,” he said.
Also read: CISF DG says ready to counter drone, cyber threats
Bhagwat added that religion cannot be limited to scriptures, speeches or theoretical ideas but must be reflected in daily practice. “When we follow Sanatan Dharma in practice, the protection of religion happens automatically. Unity among people is essential to safeguard religion and culture. If you want to protect religion and culture, you must protect those who follow them,” he said.
He stressed that both protection and strength arise from unity. According to him, bringing people together requires cultivating a genuine sense of belonging and completeness in one’s mindset. Such an approach, he said, offers a way to address many of the challenges facing society today. Bhagwat also said that India would eventually have to guide the world in solving its problems.
“One day India will have to show the path to the entire world. We cannot avoid this responsibility; sooner or later we will have to take it up. The world does not have answers to many of its problems, and we must be ready for this role,” he asserted.
He emphasised that religion brings people together and therefore individuals should strive to unite others rather than create divisions.
“Religion unites people, so we must be unifiers, not dividers. Our task is to bring everyone together,” he said.
Describing religion as eternal, Bhagwat said it was not created by humans but emerged with the universe itself through divine will and the natural laws that govern existence.
Quoting the phrase ‘Dharmo Rakshati Rakshita’, he said those who follow and protect religion are in turn protected by it. He also highlighted the importance of aligning thoughts, intellect and actions, urging individuals to begin with self-discipline in their own lives.
“Religion and values are preserved not through words but through conduct. They are not achieved through imagination or speeches, but through action,” the RSS chief said.
Follow us
