Govt acting in supreme interest of nation, says RSS leader Hosabale on West Asia conflict

RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale called for peace amid the ongoing West Asia conflict and said the Union government was acting in the supreme interest of the nation. He also urged protests to remain peaceful and declined comment on UGC regulations

Samalakha: Amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday called for peace in the world and stressed that the Union government was taking all steps in the supreme interest of the nation.

RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said the war should end as swiftly as possible so that people can return to their normal lives.

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He was replying to queries during a media briefing on the three-day meet of the Sangh’s top decision-making body — Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS).

Asked about the Iran-US-Israel conflict that has entered the third week, the RSS general secretary said, “We want peace in the world.”

“Our vision is world peace. Wars arise from a multitude of causes; therefore, in the context of this particular conflict, we too desire that it comes to an end as swiftly as possible and that the lives of ordinary people return to a state of happiness and peace without delay,” he noted.

The top RSS leader said he will not analyse the reasons behind the war.

He said that the Indian government is making all efforts in the best interest of the people of the country.

“What is in the supreme interest of the nation, they (the Indian government) are doing that. What they are doing is right,” he told reporters here.

To a question on protests that erupted at some places in India following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Hosabale said people can express emotions on the death of a person, but it should be done in a peaceful manner.

“If such things happen, they should be done peacefully. It should not be against any sect or community,” he said.

“According to Indian tradition, one can be a person’s enemy till he is alive, but after one dies, no one remains an enemy. So, after death, if anyone expresses grief, there is nothing wrong in it. But when this is done, it should be ensured that it does not disturb peace,” he said.

Asked about the row over UGC regulations, which have been stayed by the Supreme Court, he said the matter is before the apex court and it is not appropriate to comment on sub-judice matters.

“When a decision comes, after going through it, the Sangh will comment,” he said.

Replying to another question, Hosabale said, “When Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar founded the RSS, he did not say that the organisation had been formed to oppose Muslims.”

“During British rule, when the RSS faced restrictions in the Central Provinces, a debate took place in an assembly there in which four to five people supported the Sangh and one of them was a Muslim leader, who said he knows that the Sangh and Dr Hedgewar are not communal and restrictions should not be imposed.”

“We have said this from the start that the ancestors of all people of India were Hindus,” he said.

Referring to an event held in Hyderabad that was attended by NRIs and people of Indian origin, Hosabale said that “we conveyed a message to the delegates from 71 different countries that the country where you live and eat, you should do good for that country. Because it is the vision of Hindutva: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the entire world is one family.”

“It is not like you are only with India. You have the duty to be with the society there,” he said.

The three-day meet of ABPS, which began in Pattikalyana in Panipat on March 13, was inaugurated by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Hosabale.