RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on polls: 'Opposition not adversary, dignity not maintained'

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat has criticised political parties for not maintaining dignity during the just concluded polls. Bhagwat also said that the opposition should not be considered as an adversary in a democracy and their views should also come to light.

"It is called Opposition...It should not be considered an adversary. Their opinions should also come to light," he said while addressing the closing ceremony RSS worker's development class in Maharashtra's Nagpur. "There is dignity in contesting elections. That dignity was not maintained. There is decorum even in contesting elections, that decorum was not followed, because it is necessary to follow decorum because the challenges before our country have not ended," he further added.

Emphasising on consensus building, the RSS chief said that though there is competition in a democracy, one should not push others backwards. "The mind and psyche of each person are different, hence it is not possible to have similar opinions, but when people in the society decide to move together despite having different minds, then mutual consent is formed. There are two parties in Parliament so both sides are exposed, it is a bit difficult to reach a consensus among people who have come into competition, that is why we take the hope of a majority, there is competition, not mutual war," Bhagwat said.


Expressing concern on Manipur, Bhagwat said that the North eastern state has been awaiting "peace" for a year and that it is the "duty to prioritise it and take note of it".

"Manipur has been looking for peace for a year now. It should be discussed on priority. The state had been peaceful for the past 10 years. It felt like the old 'gun culture' had come to a demise. It is still burning in the fire of the sudden tension that rose there or that was made to rise there. Who will pay attention to that?It is the duty to prioritise it and take note of it", said the RSS Chief.

Heaping praise on the NDA government, Bhagwat said, "The government has been formed, the NDA government has come back, a lot of good things have happened in the last 10 years, the economic situation is getting very good, the strategic situation is better than before, the prestige of the country has increased in the world, arts, sports, knowledge, science and culture. The countries of the world have started accepting that we are moving forward in the field of agriculture, but this does not mean that we are free from challenges."

The RSS Chief also mentioned, "Everything will go on according to the verdict of the people. We do not get into questions like why and how. We perform our duties."