Sikanji — sweet & salty lemon water — must be preferred over Coke and Sprite :::: "Dharma is religion at the top of religion. Dharma respects diversity, including environment," says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

In the season 'battle' against Donald Trump's higher tariffs onslaught, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat says:  

"Sikanji — sweet and salty lemon water — should be preferred over Coke and Sprite." 

Bhagwat also said power matters.

“Today, the Sangh’s influence has increased. People listen to us and take us seriously," he said alluding to the fact the BJP is in power in the centre since last 11 years at a stretch since 2014 and is also in power in several key states including the likes of UP, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. 

He was speaking at an event organised by the RSS to celebrate its 100 years of formation. 

"Dharma is religion at the top of religion. Dharma respects diversity, including the environment," says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.  

Bhagwat pitched for making India self-reliant, stressing that the true spirit of “swadeshi” was to engage with other countries out of choice and not under pressure.

“Being aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) does not mean stopping imports. 

The world moves because it is interdependent. So export-import will continue. However, there should be no pressure in it. Swadeshi means not importing goods that we already have or can easily manufacture. Bringing outside goods hurts local vendors,” he said.

The RSS chief urged the audience to inculcate Indian values and self-reliance among their children.

“Most of India’s neighbouring countries were once part of Bharat. 

The people, geography, rivers, forests and everything else remain the same. Only lines were drawn on maps. So, our first duty should be that those who are ours should unite with a sense of belongingness,” he said.

“Since India is the largest country, it should take the lead to strive for peace, stability and development in these countries. Religion and community may be different, but culture and tradition remain the same,” Bhagwat added.

He said “extreme individualism, crass consumerism, radicalism and wokeism” had emerged as big threats to world peace and claimed that India can emerge as the beacon for the world with its concept of “dharma”.

“The solution lies in dharma, which is not a religion. Dharma is religion at the top of religion. 

Dharma respects diversity, including the environment. Dharma talks about balance. 

And Bharat can give solutions to this modern challenge the world is facing right now,” he said.