Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said population control policies and the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code required public cooperation and long-term thinking, and asserted that caste-based politics would disappear only when society stopped identifying with caste divisions.
Addressing an interaction session after delivering a lecture on "Social Harmony as a Catalyst for National Development" at JSS Mahavidyapeetha here, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief also called for harmony among religions and communities. He urged people to practise equality in social life through conduct rather than slogans.
"Because society remembers caste, politicians take advantage of it. Their legitimate aim is to get votes. If they cannot get votes through work, they will get votes through caste," he said.
Replying to a question on the Population Control Bill and Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Bhagwat said the RSS was not the government but a social organisation and emphasised that laws could succeed only with public participation.
"People must first be educated. Policy is necessary, but policy can only succeed with public cooperation," he said.
Referring to population control measures during the Emergency period, Bhagwat said aggressive enforcement had led to public resentment and political backlash.
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Chitradurga: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the five decades of public life and political struggle of former Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa serve as an inspiration for the younger generation.
Speaking at the ‘BSY Abhimanotsava’ held to honour Yediyurappa, Shah lauded his journey from a humble background to becoming one of Karnataka’s most influential political leaders.
During the event, Shah released two books titled ‘Kendavare-Kamala Aralida Kathe’ and ‘Sadana Shikari-Yediyurappanavara Gudugina Nudigalu’.
Shah said there are leaders who simply walk on existing roads and leaders who create new paths for others to follow, and described Yediyurappa as a leader who has shown a new direction.
“He came from an ordinary family. His willpower, the values of the Sangh and his patriotism guided him throughout his life,” Shah said.
He recalled that Yediyurappa travelled to villages on a bicycle when buses were unavailable and worked tirelessly to strengthen the BJP at the grassroots level.
Shah said Yediyurappa had walked thousands of kilometres and led several struggles in support of farmers, which earned him the reputation of being a farmer leader. He added that Yediyurappa had even undergone imprisonment during these movements.
Referring to political developments in West Bengal, Shah said the BJP Chief Minister took oath there on the same day that Karnataka was celebrating Yediyurappa’s 50 years in public life. He described it as the beginning of a new chapter in the land associated with Swami Vivekananda and Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
At the programme, former minister C. T. Ravi presented details of Yediyurappa’s 50 years of public service. Yediyurappa was felicitated at the event.
Also present were BJP national general secretary (organisation) B. L. Santhosh, several dignitaries and seers.
