Naga people's mood remains for 'freedom from Extortion' :::: Manipur politics driving fast towards 'bigger regionalism' games ::: In such an eventuality Congress and BJP stand to be marginalised in 2027

In Manipur politics -- come 2026 or even before that ... all eyes will be on possible installation of a popular government.

But the central BJP and the centre have to weigh options. 

If Nagaland politics and peace talks have reached the stage of -- No Solution is the Solution. 

In neghbouring Manipur; the ongoing President's Rule is a good option for the centre.  

The Congress lost power in the state in 2017.  N Biren Singh has been lucky to be chosen rather quickly as the face of the BJP in the state.

He became chief minister in 2017 itself and later on in 2022 he could hold on to chair. His problem started in 2023 after the ethnic clashes between Kukis and Meiteis made things miserable. Now because of Biren factor and the clashes of 2023 have made the Lotus party lose ground. 

In fact, the Naga leaders in Manipur are more than curious about the prospects of NPF and there will be a mad rush to join Rio-led NPF eyeing the tickets for the 2027 assembly election in Manipur. 

With voters of Manipur not very keen about Congress as the party is 'not in a striking distance' from power in Delhi; other regional  parties including the Kuki People's Alliance (KPA) may do well. 

The KPA has two MLAs but the party withdrew support from the BJP-led Manipur government in August 2023.   

In all likelihood; both the Congress and the BJP stand to be further marginalised in 2027. 

Things are not clear whether post-Bihar; a popular government may be installed in Manipur by March 2026.

Chances are remote that the new BJP-led government would be headed by N Biren Singh. Can he jump the ship and abandon the Lotus party ?

It would be easier said than done. Skeletons are found in every cupboards. 

 

Nagaland politics ::: Road to Profitability of Neta class ... will continue the roads ... leading to Ruins 

On Nov 10, 2025 an important meeting took place under the aegis of the GB Federation. It was participated by CSOs and some public-spirited individuals.  

Some organisations and individuals (self-styled Solution masters but drawing inspiration from Kohima) gave it a miss by default or 'cleverly' they were kept a bay. In the ultimate the Naga social activists and public mood was crystal clear --

"Give us Freedom from Extortion".

One leader from one of the rural districts later said : "Just like Astronomy is Science and Astrology is a kind of fraud ... Nagas love Freedom movement ... but Nagas should no longer be victims of something else in the name of Political issue 

... we therefore want Freedom from Extortion and multiple taxation".  

 

Draw out a table of Success and Failures:

- Peace Talks on for last 28 years since 1997

- Framework Agreement - inked more than 10 years back

- Agreed Position - inked in 2017 -- About 8 years back

Milestones : 

Oct 21, 2025 ----- Cock is the King. A rich King. NDPP merges with the NPF.

Oct 22, 2025 -- Somdal speech : Muivah says - "Govt of India should tender an apology". 

  

*** 

These could mount pressure on the neo-regionalist doyen of Nagaland. That's also self-styled. History writers of contemporary setting except former boxers or ex-wrestlers and friends of 'Man Shankar Aiyar' will never entertain any comparison between the likes of Vamuzo-Vizol and even Shurhozelie with the current master of Cock. 

Everyone knows even in next door Assam; Shri Himanta is an ex-Congressman. Only Power matters !!

The leaders who participated at the CSOs meeting in Dimapur on Nov 10th are not spelling out their strategy or next course of action. But the public demand for an early Solution is something desirable and people will continue to take that line on a bigger scale.

The NNPG's credibility will slowly be in question. Can they deliver peace in case the Status Quo club goes for a bigger time-span of slumber ? And if not what happens next ?

The Govt of India or at least some bloggers in Delhi may soon ponder whether 'No Solution is also the right Solution for the 'wrong people and wrong groups'.

Inspiration comes from Late Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao. Narendra Modi is not an indecisive political protagonist nevertheless.

Some of the events have taken place at an interesting time. 

Internal power struggles will increase manifold. 

Mandarins in Delhi and their wings in the northeast and 'assets' working across the international borders will have to run the extra mile. 

Amit Shah will smile at all these. 

ends 

 

Delhi blast ::: Jammu and Kashmir Police have detained Umar's mother, brothers ::::: "Umar was in the car and is believed to have planned the attack" :::: Delhi cops interrogating 13 suspects

Dr Mohammad Umar, a suspected terrorist from the Faridabad terror module, was employed as a doctor at the Al Falah Medical College in Faridabad.

Delhi Police is currently interrogating at least 13 suspects in connection to the incident.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have detained Umar's mother, Shaheema Bano, and brothers, Aashiq and Zahroor, for questioning.

Umar is said to be a close associate of Adeel Ahmad Rather, a former senior resident doctor at the Government Medical College (GMC) in Anantnag who was arrested last week. Based on Rather's inputs, authorities carried out the raid in Faridabad on Monday.   

The first image has emerged showing the suspect driving the Hyundai i20 that later exploded near the Red Fort on Monday killing nine people and injuring 20 others. 

Together with his accomplices, Umar placed a detonator in the car and executed the terror act. Investigators have confirmed that Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil was used in the high-intensity explosion that occurred during the busy evening hours, at a time when the area, a popular tourist spot, was crowded with people.

According to information, the CCTV grab was taken just before the blast at 6.52 pm on Monday. The vehicle had been parked for nearly three hours near the Sunehri Masjid, close to the Red Fort.  

Sources told 'India Today' that Umar was in the car and is believed to have planned the attack along with two of his associates. It was carried out in a panic following the arrests in Faridabad earlier on Monday.  

The CCTV footage showed the car entering the parking lot at 3.19 pm and leaving at 6.48 pm, with the explosion occurring shortly afterward.

Initially, the driver’s face is clearly visible, but as the car moves forward, a masked man can be seen behind the wheel.  

Meanwhile, another footage has emerged of the vehicle, entering and exiting the parking area. Delhi Police sources have said the suspect was alone at the time.  

Intelligence sources in Jammu and Kashmir have said that the Hyundai i20 was originally owned by Mohammad Salman, arrested on Monday night, and later changed hands multiple times -- first sold to Nadeem, then to a used car dealer, Royal Car Zone in Faridabad Sector 37.

However, when attempts were made to contact individuals associated with the establishment, all listed mobile numbers were found to be switched off.  

Investigators are now tracing the route towards Daryaganj, while more than 100 CCTV clips, including footage from nearby toll plazas, are being examined to establish the complete movement of the vehicle.

The car was last seen entering the city from the Badarpur border. The remainder of its route is still under investigation.

ends 

RSS chief Bhagtwat's Rhetoric reaffirms the group's longstanding view that India’s 'national identity' is rooted in Hindu culture !!

Indian Hindu group welcomes religious minorities, exposing internal struggles 

RSS chief Bhagtwat's Rhetoric also reaffirms the group's longstanding view that India’s national identity is rooted in Hindu culture.

The head of India's influential Hindu nationalist organisation has stirred controversy after suggesting that Muslims and Christians could join the group — provided they set aside their separateness.

Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which is seen as the ideological parent of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), made the remarks on Nov. 9 at a public function in Bengaluru, southern India.

Political context and internal strains

Founded in 1925, the RSS describes itself as the world's largest volunteer organisation promoting Hindu culture and nationalism. 

Hindu groups affiliated with the RSS were accused of leading the campaign that resulted in the demolition of a 16th-century mosque in Ayodhya in 1992, which they claimed had been built over a temple marking the birthplace of the Hindu god Ram.

Bhagwat's comments come amid reports of growing friction between the RSS leadership and the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Party insiders say the RSS feels sidelined by Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, particularly after delays in electing a new BJP president — reportedly due to disagreements over Bhagwat's preferred candidate.

While Modi has occasionally praised Bhagwat — including in a September tribute on the RSS chief's 75th birthday — analysts say relations remain uneasy. The RSS leadership is believed to want a greater consultative role in BJP affairs, while Modi prefers that the organisation focus on social and cultural outreach.

Political observers see Bhagwat's remarks on inclusion and unity as part of a broader attempt to expand the RSS's influence beyond the BJP, including through emerging regional parties.

In the ongoing Bihar state elections, for instance, political strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor's new party is widely believed to have tacit RSS backing — a move that could undercut the BJP's vote base.

Expanding beyond the BJP

Analysts say the RSS appears to be reassessing its political engagement. The 'one nation, one party' idea has its limits, said an RSS insider. The concentration of power in one or two hands was never the goal.

The organisation has previously experimented with regional outreach, from Odisha — where it carefully aligned itself with the Jagannath temple tradition — to Delhi, where it was seen as quietly supporting the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party during the 2011 anti-corruption movement.

Now, according to political analyst Tushar Bhadra, The RSS is testing new models of influence — backing provincial movements and engaging minority communities indirectly, particularly in areas where the BJP's growth has plateaued.

Sources say the organisation is paying particular attention to states with complex social and religious demographics, such as Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and the Christian-majority northeastern states of Assam, Manipur, Tripura, and Nagaland.

Despite Bhagwat's outreach rhetoric, his comments reaffirm the RSS's longstanding view that India's national identity is rooted in Hindu culture — a position that continues to polarize opinion in the world's largest democracy.

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No Brahmin [high caste Hindu] is allowed in the Sangh. No Muslim is allowed, no Christian is allowed.… Only Hindus are allowed. But people from any denomination — Muslims, Christians — can come to the Sangh if they keep their separateness out, Bhagwat said.

Your speciality is welcome, but when you come inside the shakha, you come as a son of Bharat Mata, a member of this Hindu society.

The comments drew criticism from opposition politicians and minority leaders, who called them contradictory and insincere.

"Bhagwat's invitation to non-Hindus is not genuine. It is half-hearted and amounts to lip service," said Sanjay Das, a Congress Party leader from Meghalaya, a Christian-majority state.

Others questioned the timing of the remarks, which coincided with the anniversary of an Indian Supreme Court verdict in 2019 clearing the way for the construction of a Hindu temple on a disputed site in Ayodhya.

Making such a statement on Nov 9 adds insult to injury, said Delhi-based trader Mohammed Naushad.

ends 

Does India remember Sonia Gandhi's Home Minister Shivraj Patil ? He said "Do not criticise my clothes" ::::: Memories Linger ...... Terror menace gripped India under MMS :::: Sept 13 is my birthday :: In 2008 ... on Sept 13th .. multiple blasts rocked five crowded markets .... 18 people killed ::::: “I can just say that these blasts have been planned by the enemies of the country", said one Congress Minister ::: Home Minister Shivraj Patil changed outfit/his suit "multiple times" drawing criticism

Car bomb Blast on Nov 10, 2025 ... immediately took my memories to 2008.

Sept 13 is my birthday and hence the 'remembering' power worked much better !!

  

Does India remember Sonia Gandhi's handpicked Home Minister Shivraj Patil ? He had said - "Criticise me and my policies, Do not criticise my clothes". 

On Nov 10, 2025 blast 

2008 ... Sept 13 -- No journalist could have missed it. My daughter Tanvi - then hardly two-year-plus .... too noticed it and shyly told her mom as she watched TV -- "Tell Papa, Home Minister has come again on screen in a different dress (outfit)".

Media reports, political detractors and critics claimed that the then Home Minister Shiv Patil, a personal hand-picked of Sonia Gandhi more guided by loyalty than efficiency, appeared on television and visited blast sites in at least three different sets of clean clothes throughout the evening and night. 

This was widely seen as a display of vanity and a lack of focus on the gravity of the national security crisis. 

Worse for a die-hard Congress chamcha in 'The Statesman' newspaper office -- the episode was played down in our reporting.

The 'huge donkey' had started showing donkey's character !!  I was just a few months old staffer (Special Representative) with the reputed newspaper then and hence swallowed my disapproval.  

Looking back one should point out Shivraj Patil had lost 2004 Lok Sabha polls but as the Vajpayee government too was booted out; under Manmohan Singh at the instance of Sonia Gandhi and Ahmed Patel -- Shivraj had become India's Home Minister than succeeding a man like L K Advani.

This 'changing outfit' episode on a day multiple blasts left India bleeding contributed to a larger narrative of his poor handling of internal security.

In the ultimate, these had led to his resignation as the Home Minister on November 30, 2008, aftermath the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Die-hard 'yes madam' man Shivraj Patil 

The frequent dress changes, combined with a perceived general ineffectiveness in handling a series of terrorist attacks in 2008, led to significant public and political backlash. BJP leader Arun Jaitley had clarified however that the 'real issue' wasn't his clothes but his work. 

After Shivraj had resigned and P Chidambaram took charge as the Home Minister; the then Railway Minister Lalu Prasad also 'informally' told journalists that Shivraj Patil's handling of Home portfolio was very poor. As a matter of fact it can be mentioned that when the UPA government was formed in 2004 - the RJD chief had bargained hard for the prized Home portfolio. 

But it was categorically rejected by Sonia Gandhi.   

Between 2008 and 2008, multiple terror strikes took place across India. Mosques and temples were attacked. The attacks on Sept 18 (2008 --- Saturday) took place during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month.  Notably, during such Holy period ... Dhaka siege had taken place in 2016 leading Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina lambaste the terror act saying -- " ey kaun Musalman (what kind of Muslims are they)".   

During the Sonia Gandhi's virtual rule over India with Manmohan Singh as te PM; between October 2005 and mid-September 2008, over 400 people were killed in bomb attacks across Indian cities including Delhi and Ahmedabad. 

In 2008, Shivraj Patil's junior colleague MoS Home Sriprakash Jaiswal had said -- 

“I can just say that these blasts have been planned by the enemies of the country, and they will be taught a lesson".

The UPA regime, however, did not teach Pakistan any lesson even after the infamous and unpardonable 26/11 terror strike in Mumbai.  

Delhi attack was later described by security analysts as coordinated bombings.

Blast had taken place at busy Connaught Place too and one non-journalist staffer in The Statesman narroly escaped unhurt.

As many as 18 people had been killed and in one of the government hospitals alone, more than 50 casualties were wheeled in within two hours of the blasts.

The bombings (Sept 13th, 2008) were part of a series of terrorist attacks in cities across the country apparently intended to sow panic, inflict civilian casualties and even inflame tensions between Hindus and Muslims.

Famously -- yet again a group called Indian Mujahedeen sent an e-mail message to news channel offices which were blatantly pro-Congress those days.

The group had even claimed 'responsibility' for several other deadly bombings across India between 2005 and 2008. 

This was later filmed in a Bollywood movie starring John Abraham as a serious cop.

Of  course, the series of terrorist attacks had loomed large over Indian politics as 2009 Lok Sabha polls were not far off.

But the BJP could not capitalise and lost Delhi assembly polls held just a dat after Mumbai terror siege and later Lok Sabha polls in the summer of 2009. Many analyses suggest the people of India had rejected the Lotus party's prime ministerial candidate L K Advani.

The veteran BJP stalwart and former deputy PM even had to resign as the Leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha and that responsibility came to Sushma Swaraj. 

Snaps of Ahmedabad blasts scenes of 2008 

"Along with inflation, which has risen sharply in recent months (that is in 2008), the (bomb) attacks are a major point of vulnerability for the incumbent administration. There have been few arrests related to the attacks," reported 'The New York Times'. 

On Sept 13 2008 Delhi explosions ... The first blast went off after 6 p.m. in a market in the Karol Bagh neighborhood and explosives were apparently stuffed in a three-wheeled rickshaw, 

The Connaught Place explosion was in a public trash can outside a busy subway.

station near Connaught Place, followed by one in Central Park, a popular, recently renovated patch of green in the heart of Connaught Place.

A woman’s hand was blown off, said eye witnesses near Connaught Place.

Passers by returned home with their clothes bloodstained.

The Indian Mujahedeen also claimed credit for serial bombings in the western city of Ahmedabad in July that killed 49 and wounded more than 200. 

Narendra Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat then. 

Ahmedabad probably still had sad remembrance of  2002 mayhem when more than 1,000 Muslims were killed in 2002 in what is better known as the post-Godhra violence.

No doubt; the Indian Mujahedeen also said the attacks were "badla" -- that is in revenge of Gujarat.

The same year explosions rocked Bengaluru in July and as many as 56 people had died in the historic western city of Jaipur in May.

Jaipur blasts of May 2008 

In 2023, Karnataka police made a significant breakthrough with the arrest of five suspected terrorists, allegedly acting on the instructions of Junaid Ahmed, the prime accused.  

T Nazir, the former commander for Lashker-E-Taiba (LeT), was arrested in connection with the Bengaluru blasts in 2008.

Nazir 

Nazir, the mastermind behind the 2008 blasts case and a native of Kerala, had been living in Karnataka’s Kodagu district under the guise of a ginger cultivator.

ends 

Aggressive and sweeping Security Response on cards ::: First major Terror blast outside Jammu & Kashmir since May 2014 under Modi :: 10 dead ::: Cause of explosion not yet known ... "all angles being probed", says Amit Shah

Blast in i20 car near Red Fort, 10 dead; Delhi and Mumbai on high alert

At least 10 people were killed after a car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort on Monday. The explosion sparked high alerts across cities in India. 

The cause of the explosion is not yet known.

Additional director general of Police in Uttar Pradesh Amitabh Yash told media that all security agencies and district police throughout Uttar Pradesh have been placed on high alert.

The security apparatus embarrassed .... the blast still does not tell about any 'pattern' as was witnessed in 2008 during the Congress-led regime. Most such explosions if not all were triggered by Indian Mujaheedeen. 

However, in later years the spinal cord of then newly floated radical organisation was broken.   

This evening's explosion has kicked off much unease for residents of Delhi and adjoining places and a sweeping and aggressive security response is expected. 

Security has been tightened in various parts of the national capital and certain vulnerable pockets in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

The blast occurred before crucial second round of polling for 122 assembly seats in Bihar. The first phase of polling in Nitish Kumar-ruled state was held on Nov 6th. Whether the explosion in Delhi has any impact on voters' mind vis-a-vis internal security in the country remains to be seen.  

It may be mentioned that during the Manmohan Singh regime between October 2005 and mid-September 2008, over 400 people were killed in bomb attacks across Indian cities including Delhi and Ahmedabad. 

On Nov 26, 2008; Pakistani terrorists have virtually taken siege of Mumabi city and in deadly terror strike from multiple angles claimed 166 lives including numerous foreign nationals including from the US and Israel.  

Police said the explosion, which sparked fires in several vehicles nearby, took place when the car slowed and came to a stop at a red traffic light near Gate 1 of the Red Fort metro station. 

The cause of the blast is not yet known. Home Minister Amit Shah said all angles are being probed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to the Home Minister. 

Security is being stepped up at "sensitive religious sites, vulnerable districts and border areas" in the northern India state of Uttar Pradesh, according to a senior police official following the blast in neighbouring Delhi.

Uttar Pradesh is home to famous Ram temple at Ayodhya and also likes of Taj Mahal in Agra and other such historical and religious monuments and is a densely populated state.

ends

Remembering Maa .... her death anniversary :::: Mom was the most influential influencer in our lives ... We could not have been what we are without her love and beating with Hockey sticks

It is surprising and not at all surprising that Maa has remained so little known ... almost secret and isolated. 

But she was the most influential influencer in our lives and in character building. 

It appears now ... man making was her forte. Three brought up her own two sons and one daughter. 

But I am sure many of our cousins and all our Didis and Dadas and younger brothers and sisters -- who knew her when they were kids will have fond memories. Her love and affection always had the guiding theme -Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child.

Bamboo-made hockey sticks in Mizoram were her favourite 'tool' to be applied on feet of two brothers. 

Even some relatives' kids were caned by her. But ahe was a fantastic teacher to them. One or two cousins of my dad -- Mom's brothers-in-law that way would rush to her with their books and Tables (Multiples) with typical one-liner -- 

"amra Boudir kacchey porbo (We will do the learning only with Boudi)".

It is not without good reason - one such youngster (to mom) and our uncle in relation Mr Pranab Roy (Babla) a successful careerist with LIC -- rushed to Siliguri on hearing my mother's demise. He stayed with us for 15-17 days till the last rites were completed.

On the day of Shradh .... I saw him wailing leaving most of us emotional. That was mom.

Here are a few samples of the tribute I got in 2019 and 2020.

The made for each other couple ... despite regular middle class nagging and quarrel .... did not stay separately for long.

Mom expired on Nov 10-11 (2019)

Dad followed her ... with in a year Oct 28-29 (2020) 

**

It's Pathetic really . I too miss them a lot . Remember my Childhood days spent on their Laps - Mitalee Gupta. Chennai

Pronam ! Jekhanei aachen bhalo thakben aar sodasorboda sobar bhalobasa aar hridoye aachen . - Ashis Roy, New Delhi 

"Shradhanjali.. they are now in a better place than earth.. send your prayers to them to receive continuous blessings of them." 

- senior journalist, Tehseen Munawer 

Parents are precious - T N Ashok, senior journalist and writer

(former Economic Editor, PTI)  

"My prayers are always there. May the Karmayogi souls who shaped a son like you get sadgati. 🙏💐"

- Prafulla Ketkar, Editor Organiser 

Among them Mitalee Gupta (Mitu Di from Chennai) is a successful professional and doing so much well with her family. Her daughter is a medico - who studied in Russia -- before the war was launched. 

My mother was almost like Saheli to Mitu Di's mom and my Mom was also an admirer of Mitu Di's singing ability. Thanks Didi. 

Ma with my daughter Tanvi ::: 

My love for fiction reading, and belatedly writing came from my mom's

 love/craze for Bengali fiction..... dad was never much thrilled by the idea of 'power of written words' etc.

Our daughter Tanvi was taught how to blow 'Shankh' Conch  by my mom. 

My mom's weakness !! An acclaimed artiste

***

"During their period we were blessed by your Dad & Mom like close one which we all cherished. 

Definitely their souls will rest in peace in heaven like such kind hearted souls. We prayed to Shri Krishna to bless them & rest of you to live in peace happiness and prosperity."

- Bidhan Chowdhury (and Shikha Kakimoni), (Mr Bidhan (Kaku) served in Nagaland as Sr Principal Private Secretary to the state Government and they were our neighbours in Kohima, Midland House. 

(They have two sweet daughters. The younger one ... Ms Moon (now a Delhi-based educationist) was a great chamcha of my mom. 

She would report everything to mom ... including which films we were watching and all. )

For those taking interest in Nagaland politics may find it interesting to note that Mr Bidhan Chowdhury served as senior PPS to the then Power Minister Neiphiu Rio (present chief minister, Nagaland and president of NPF)  

Dad and his gang of grand children - after Mom's demise in 2019

ends

"No Brahmin is allowed in RSS ... No other caste is allowed in Sangha. No Muslim is allowed, no Christian is allowed ... Only Hindus are allowed" - Mohan Bhagwat

“No Brahmin is allowed in Sangha. No other caste is allowed in Sangha. No Muslim is allowed, no Christian is allowed in the Sangha... Only Hindus are allowed.”

- RSS chief  Mohan Bhagwat 

He further says Muslims, Christians can come to RSS but on one condition ....

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat clarified that followers of all faiths are welcome to participate in the Sangh as long as they come "as sons of Bharat Mata".

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said that people from all religions, including Muslims and Christians, can join the organisation, but as members of a unified Hindu society, setting aside religious separateness.

Responding to a question on whether Muslims are allowed in the RSS, Bhagwat said, 

“No Brahmin is allowed in Sangha. No other caste is allowed in Sangha. No Muslim is allowed, no Christian is allowed in the Sangha... 

Only Hindus are allowed.”   

However, he clarified that followers of all faiths are welcome to participate in the Sangh as long as they come "as sons of Bharat Mata".  

“So people with different denominations — Muslims, Christians — any denomination, can come to the Sangha but keep your separateness out. Your speciality is welcome. But when you come inside Shakha, you come as a son of Bharat Mata, a member of this Hindu society,” he said.  

Bhagwat said the Sangh does not ask the religion or caste of anyone attending its daily shakhas. 

“Muslims come to Shakha, Christians come to Shakha, as all other castes from the routinely called Hindu society, they also come to Shakha. 

But we don’t take their count, and we don’t ask who they are. We are all sons of Bharat Mata. That is how Sangha works,” he said.

 

Ayodhya temple verdict was given on Nov 9, 2019

His remarks came during an in-house question-and-answer session organised by the RSS, where he also fielded queries on the organisation’s registration status, political leanings, and relationship with other faiths.

In a veiled response to criticism from Congress leaders who questioned the RSS’s registration and sources of funding, Bhagwat said, 

“RSS was established in 1925, so do you expect us to have registered with the British government?” 

He added that after Independence, registration was not mandatory.

“We are categorised as a body of individuals, and we are a recognised organisation,” he said, explaining that both the Income Tax department and courts have described the RSS as a “body of individuals,” exempted from income tax.

Referring to past government actions against the Sangh, Bhagwat said, “We were banned thrice. So government has recognised us. If we were not there, whom did they ban?”

He also responded to allegations that the RSS does not respect the national flag, saying the organisation holds the tricolour in high regard. “We always respect, offer tribute and protect our tricolour,” Bhagwat said, while clarifying that saffron, treated as a Guru in RSS tradition, also holds symbolic importance.

Bhagwat reiterated that the Sangh does not support any political party but backs policies it believes are in the national interest. 

“We do not participate in vote politics, current politics, election politics, etc. Sangh's work is uniting the society and politics, by nature, is divisive, so we keep out of politics,” he said.

Addressing social issues, Bhagwat said casteism no longer exists but “caste confusion” does, driven by electoral politics and concessions. “There is no need to eradicate caste; there is need to forget caste,” he said.

On the issue of so-called ‘love jihad,’ Bhagwat urged people not to focus excessively on what others do but to strengthen “Hindu samskara” (values) within their own homes.  

On India’s relations with Pakistan, the RSS chief said peace is possible only if the neighbouring country stops attempts to harm India. 

“It is Pakistan which doesn’t want peace with us. As long as it gets satisfaction from causing harm to Bharat, it will keep on doing it,” he said, warning that if Pakistan continued on that path, it 

“will learn a lesson one day,” recalling the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.

Inaugurated on November 9, 2019, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Kartarpur Corridor fulfilled a decades-long dream of millions of Sikhs around the world. 

It enabled visa-free access for Indian pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, located in Kartarpur, Pakistan's Narowal district, just four kilometres from the international border.

The day of the inauguration held deep spiritual resonance, coinciding with the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. 

On the same day, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh led an all-party delegation across the newly opened passage, underscoring the corridor’s spirit of faith transcending political divisions.

ends