“Every Indian should sing Vande Mataram” says K.S. Sudarshan

RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri K.S. Sudarshan has said that Vande Mataram is not a contentious issue and every patriotic citizen of the country should sing it with full respect on September 7 to mark the centenary celebrations of the national song. He was talking to mediapersons after releasing a book, Samarasata ke Sutra, in New Delhi on August 30.

He said singing Vande Mataram should be compulsory in all schools and academic institutions and Indians irrespective of their religion or faith should have no objection to reciting the national song. Replying to a question about the protest from some people to the recitation of the national song, he said: “Those who do not have faith in Bharatmata have no right to live in the country.” Terming the whole controversy as a dangerous sign, he said such controversies led to the partition of the country in 1947 and cannot be allowed again. “The current bout of controversies is the manifestation of a wider conspiracy. The nation was bifurcated in similar situations in 1947,” he added.

The book-release function was jointly organised by Sewa Bharati, Delhi, and Akhil Bharatiya Navyuvak Dalit Utthan Sangh at Hindi Bhavan. The book has been edited by Shri Ramesh Patange and Shri Tarun Vijay, editor of Panchjanya. Shri Premchand Goel, Akhil Bharatiya Sewa Pramukh of RSS was also present on the occasion.

The Sarsanghachalak stressed the need to bring harmony among all castes and said the Sangh is preparing the people who understand the pain and grief of every person of the society. He underlined the need to abolish the conventions, which develop problems in smooth functioning of the society and prevent people from coming together. “Such conventions may be relevant during a particular phase of time and under certain circumstances. But today most of them have no significance. Hence, they should be abolished,” he said.

He further said the Sangh has resolved to establish harmony in the society during the birth-centenary year of Shri Guruji, the second Sarsanghachalak. He stated that efforts are being made to spread the message of social harmony all over the country.

Speaking at the function, noted Marathi poet and founder of Dalit Panthers, Shri Namdev Dhasal said though he is not a member of any RSS organisation, he supports the work done by the Samarasata Manch in Maharashtra. Samarasata Manch is an RSS-associated organisation working for brining harmony in the society. “If the Sangh really wants to work for social harmony, it is not untouchable for me, no matter I have to face criticism from my own people for it,” he added. He further said he is an experimentalist and does not fear of any criticism or opposition from his leftist friends. He said Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains are very much part and parcel of the Hindu society and those who treat them separate commit an unpardonable offence. He stated that Hinduism has greater flexibility and it is a broad religion. He said if the country remains divided into castes and sub-castes it has no future. He remarked that the work of social transformation could not be done through politics or power.

Baba Prakash Shah, Valmiki saint from Gannaur, Haryana, said Valmiki and Ravidas worked for the humanity and all Hindus should celebrate their birth anniversaries. “If only one section of the society celebrates their anniversaries, it will continue to develop the feeling of separation among them. We should understand that all the rishis, munis and saints of this country belong to all of us and not to any particular section. “If you are the true follower of Rama and Krishna, imbibe their teachings,” he added. Baba Prakash Shah also presented gangajali to all the distinguished guests who shared the dais.

Introducing the book, Shri Ramesh Patange said various steps are being taken today by various people in the country to uplift the downtrodden sections of the society and also to bring all communities together. He said the book provides information about all such activities. He said harmony should be visible in practical conduct. Shri Tarun Vijay termed discrimination on the basis of caste as inhuman. Shri Deepak Rathi, president of Delhi Sewa Bharati, proposed a vote of thanks.