Mumbai, February 8: Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), stated on Sunday that awarding the Bharat Ratna to Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (Veer Savarkar) would enhance the dignity of the honor itself. He emphasized that Savarkar does not need any awards, as he already holds a significant place in the hearts of the people.
Speaking at the event ‘100 Years of Sangh Yatra: New Horizons’ in Mumbai, Bhagwat also addressed the delays in awarding the Bharat Ratna. “I am not part of the committee that decides this, but if I get the chance to meet someone involved, I will certainly ask why there is a delay. If Savarkar is awarded the Bharat Ratna, it will be an honor for the award itself, and its prestige will increase. Even without any honor, Savarkar reigns in the hearts of the public,” he remarked.
The demand for Savarkar to receive the Bharat Ratna has long been a topic of political debate. Various organizations and leaders have consistently called for him to be granted the nation’s highest civilian award. In contrast, the Congress party has opposed this demand, accusing Savarkar of being a “traitor” due to his petitions for clemency submitted to the British government during the freedom struggle.
On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena have consistently supported the call for Savarkar to receive the Bharat Ratna. These parties argue that Savarkar was a great freedom fighter, writer, and social reformer, whose contributions are significant in the history of the nation.
In his address, Bhagwat also shed light on the working style and ideology of the RSS. He stated that the organization’s aim is not to run aggressive campaigns but to foster good values in society. Excessive publicity can lead to showiness and arrogance, which should be avoided. “Publicity should be like rainfall—timely and in limited amounts,” he added.
He further mentioned that the RSS has been expanding its outreach and dialogue programs to connect with society in recent years.
Regarding the language issue, the RSS chief clarified that English would not be used as a medium in the organization’s operations, as it is not an Indian language. However, he acknowledged that English is used where necessary. “We need to work together with the Indian people. Where English is essential, we will use it,” he stated.
Bhagwat also emphasized the importance of proficiency in English for effective communication. He highlighted the need to preserve one’s mother tongue, saying, “Being proficient in English is important, but that does not mean we should forget our mother tongue.”
He cited an example from Bengaluru, where some representatives from South India faced difficulties understanding Hindi, prompting him to respond in English to facilitate effective communication.
