Some Bharatiya people don't know our own languages: RSS chief Bhagwat
Nagpur (PTI): RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday expressed concern over the declining use of Indian languages and mother tongues, saying the situation has reached a point where "some Bharatiya people do not know our own languages".
Speaking at a book release event in Nagpur, Bhagwat appealed to society to introspect on the erosion of linguistic heritage.
"There was a time when entire communication, sharing, daily business was in Sanskrit. Now, some American professor teaches us Sanskrit, when in reality we should have been teaching it to the world. Many children today do not know some very basic and simple words and often speak at home in a mix of their mother tongue and English," he said.
"The situation has reached a point where some Bharatiya people do not know our own Indian languages," the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief said.
He maintained that English-medium education was not to blame, but the reluctance to speak Indian languages at home was aggravating the situation.
"If we speak our language properly in our home, things would be better. But we do not do it," he said.
Even seers now reach out in English, which is understandable, but still indicative of changing linguistic preferences, Bhagwat noted.
Referring to Sant Dnyaneshwar, he said the saint brought the knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita into Marathi for a better understanding of society.
"Now the problem is that there are not enough words in the English language that capture the essence and depth of the thoughts or concepts expressed in our languages. A single word used by Dnyaneshwar often requires multiple English words without fully conveying the intended meaning," he said.
Citing an example, he pointed to Kalpavruksha, the wish-fulfilling tree from mythology in Indian tradition.
"How will you translate Kalpavruksha in English?" Bhagwat asked, stressing the limitations of translating culturally rich concepts into a foreign language. He said such examples highlight why Indian languages must be preserved and strengthened.
Bhagwat further said that Indian philosophical traditions emphasise unity despite physical differences.
"Where there is faith, we all are an expression of the one," he said, recalling how a seer once told foreign visitors that debating whether there is one God or many was unnecessary since the existence of the divine itself was central.
Bhagwat said the Indian tradition teaches people to think beyond individual interests and consider the welfare of families and communities. "This has been told to people in different words and different formats," he said.
Bhagwat said that debates on whether the Bhagavad Gita emphasises knowledge or action overlook its holistic approach.
"Like a bird cannot fly without wings, we need two wings - knowledge and karma - and the bird itself is your faith. Knowledge without faith is like (demon king) Ravana," he added.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
