Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday praised the government decision to scrap Article 370, which accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking at the RSS function at Reshimbagh on the occasion of Vijayadashami, Bhagwat said the government was bold in its stance to scrap Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and added that it is in the best interest of the country.
"In realizing the public expectations, respecting the public sentiments, the courage to fulfill their wishes in the interest of the country is in the chosen regime again. This has been proved by the government's work of making Article 370 ineffective," Bhagwat said.
Bhagwat went on to praise Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the work they have done towards abrogating Article 370.
He then spoke about the contributions of the new government but added that there are several roadblocks and obstacles that need to be dealt with.
"There are some questions that we have to answer, and some problems that we have to diagnose and solve," he said. Criticizing naysayers, he said, "A developed Bharat creates fear in the minds of vested interests. Only people with vested interests don't want Bharat to be strong and vibrant."
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"It is essential to be alert in identifying plots of vested interest and counter them on intellectual and social planes. Alertness is a constant necessity," he added.
Bhagwat also highlighted the need for increased vigilance along coastal borders, especially islands.
"Guards, check-posts on land borders and surveillance along maritime border, especially islands, have to be increased," Bhagwat said.
On recent incidents of mob lynching in the country, Bhagwat said it is not a part of Indian ethos and that people of the country trust in brotherhood.
"Lynching is not the word from Indian ethos, its origin is from a story in a separate religious text. We Indians trust in brotherhood. Don't impose such terms on Indians," he said.
"Lynching itself is a western construct and one shouldn't use it in the Indian context to defame the country," he added.
Bhagwat added that the incidents of mob lynching are not one-sided and "both communities" are engaged in allegations and counter-allegations.
"Some incidents have been done deliberately, some have been published in a malafide manner. These incidents are not the tradition of our country nor are these in accordance with our constitution. These have been never endorsed by RSS. On the contrary, RSS has always been against such incidents and have always stood against such incidents. Swayamsevaks are continuously striving to stop such incidents," Bhagwat said.
Besides addressing RSS workers, Bhagwat also performed 'shastra puja' at the annual Vijayadashmi festival in Maharashtra's Nagpur city.
HCL founder Shiv Nadar was the chief guest for this year's event. Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Gen V K Singh (retd) and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were among those present at the event.