'Divide-and-rule tactics': RSS chief Bhagwat's warning over attempts to split India

Mohan Bhagwat at 'Maru Ninad-2026' in JodhpurNEW DELHI: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday warned of attempts to divide India by exploiting smaller identities. He compared the efforts to the British-era policy of divide and rule and called for national unity.Addressing the 'Maru Ninad-2026' Ghosh Shivir organised by the RSS Jodhpur Prant at Rajaram Ashram in Shikarpura, Bhagwat said India was moving in the right direction. However, certain global forces did not want the country to become a great nation, ANI reported."India is the treasure trove of everyone's hopes. But the state of the world is very strange. For their own selfish reasons, they don't even want India to become great," Bhagwat said.He alleged that attempts were being made to create divisions by magnifying smaller identities and provoking conflicts among people. He compared these tactics to those used during British rule.The RSS chief urged people to shed selfishness, petty differences and ego. He stressed the need to build an organised society rooted in Dharma and national service.Citing the Mahabharata, Bhagwat explained how internal discord could weaken even a powerful force. He pointed out that the Kauravas had an army of 11 Akshauhinis and powerful warriors such as Bhishma, Dronacharya, Karna and Ashwatthama. Yet, they lost because of internal differences.In contrast, the Pandavas won with an army of seven Akshauhinis because they remained united and resolved their differences to preserve harmony, he said.Bhagwat also highlighted the importance of grassroots leadership. He said every village, street and neighbourhood needed 25 to 100 selfless individuals of good character who stood with people during their moments of happiness and sorrow and remained dedicated to the country.Speaking about the RSS Ghosh programme, Bhagwat traced the tradition of battlefield music to ancient Indian texts, including the Bhagavad Gita. He referred to the sacred conches Panchajanya and Devadatta, whose blowing marked the beginning of the Mahabharata war.He said early RSS volunteers initially learned musical compositions from British military bands. However, a sense of self-respect inspired them to develop original martial compositions based on Indian classical music theory.Bhagwat said RSS band performers did not play music for personal recognition or applause. Instead, the programme aimed to inculcate discipline, selflessness and teamwork and promote collective progress, he added.