Bhagwat urges self-reliance amid US tariff war, warns against "dependence turning into compulsion"
Nagpur: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday stressed the need for self-reliance and swadeshi initiatives, cautioning that India’s dependence on other nations should not become a compulsion.
Speaking at the 100th anniversary celebrations of the RSS on the occasion of Vijayadashami in Nagpur, Bhagwat remarked, “The new tariff policy implemented by the US was framed keeping in mind their own interests. But everyone is affected by such policies. The world functions on mutual dependence, yet no country can survive in complete isolation. This dependence must not turn into compulsion.”
He urged India to adopt self-reliance while maintaining friendly diplomatic relations, “with our wish and without compulsion.”
On the subject of public protests worldwide, Bhagwat said that governments disconnected from the people’s concerns invite unrest. “When policies are not made in people’s interests, they turn against the government. But violent protests have never achieved their objectives. Instead, such movements provide opportunities for external powers to play their games,” he cautioned.
Earlier, Bhagwat paid tribute to RSS founder K.B. Hedgewar. The event also saw the presence of former President Ram Nath Kovind as the chief guest. Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the occasion by publishing a blog praising the contributions of RSS volunteers.
The RSS, founded in 1925, completed 100 years this year.
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UP Cong holds statewide protest seeking probe into FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand
Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a statewide protest demanding a fair and transparent inquiry into the FIR lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who filed the complaint against him.
In a statement issued here, the party said memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were submitted through district magistrates in all districts of the state.
Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi told PTI that the memorandums were handed over through the district administration in all 75 districts.
In the memorandum, the party alleged that Saraswati and his disciples were "unnecessarily harassed and humiliated" by police on the occasion of Amavasya and were prevented from taking a ritual bath (at the Magh Mela). It further alleged that some disciples were manhandled and taken to a police station.
The memorandum also claimed that an FIR was later registered against Saraswati, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari and several unidentified persons in a sexual harassment case. It termed the case a "conspiracy" aimed at tarnishing the seer's reputation.
Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum stated that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.
It described the position of shankaracharya held by Saraswati as "one of the highest spiritual posts in Sanatan tradition" and alleged that the entire episode appeared to have been "orchestrated in a planned manner".
"We request that the background of the persons who got the FIR registered be investigated in a transparent manner by a retired high court judge and strict action be taken against them," the memorandum said.
It also sought a "fair and transparent probe" into the allegations levelled against Saraswati so that the truth could be established.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had told reporters in Varanasi after meeting Saraswati that the party stood firmly with him.
The Congress said it would continue to press for an impartial inquiry into the entire episode.
On February 21, an FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.
Days after he was booked, Saraswati had said on Monday that he would not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" would be exposed sooner or later.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Saraswati alleged that criminals rule in Uttar Pradesh, level allegations and influence investigations, as he denied having any contact with the two persons for whose alleged sexual abuse he has been booked.
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