Live by Indian values, not blindly follow foreign lifestyles: Mohan Bhagwat

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat urged people to live according to Indian culture and values rather than imitate foreign lifestyles. Speaking at an event on contemporary motherhood, he emphasised the importance of family, tradition, unity and using technology for humanity's welfare

New Delhi: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday said people living in India should lead their lives in accordance with Indian culture and values instead of adopting foreign lifestyles without reflection. Bhagwat was addressing the concluding session of a two-day event ‘Yuganukul Matrutva’ (Contemporary Motherhood) organised by Vishwamangalya Sabha here. “The creation, nurturing and sustenance of the world are not possible without motherhood. Motherhood is the fundamental basis for the nurturing, sustenance and continuity of creation,” he said.

Bhagwat said the country lost confidence in its own traditions during colonial rule and came to doubt its traditions. “For a long time, misconceptions were spread that our traditions were wrong, whereas our cultural foundation is extremely strong and evident. We must move forward with faith in our history, knowledge and traditions,” he said.

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Bhagwat said motherhood, marriage and family are increasingly being questioned across the world.”Today, however, motherhood itself has become a subject of debate across the world because even its very existence is being questioned. People ask: ‘Why should we marry? Why should we accept the domination of men? Why should we become trapped in the complications of family life? We have our own independent lives. Why should we bind ourselves to a family and become restricted? What do we have to do with society? Life is meant for enjoyment?'” he said.

This way of thinking means, Bhagwat said, no one truly belongs to anyone else. “Everything is merely a transaction… All these responsibilities towards family, children and society are considered unnecessary burdens,” he said.

The RSS chief called the trend “extreme individualism” and claimed that societies that embraced such ideas are now questioning them. “They once believed science was complete and could answer everything. Today, even scientists recognise the limitations of science. Science cannot answer every question,” he said.

Bhagwat said India’s traditions are based on “lived experience” and there is no need to fear technological progress. “If we understand our own foundations properly, we will realise they are based not merely on theory or written texts but on lived experience. Then there will be no reason for confusion. There is no need to fear rapid technological change. We will master technology. We will become its masters rather than its slaves. We will use it for the welfare of humanity,” he said.

He alleged that confusion is being deliberately created in society and that some people believe that everything considered sacred, cultured or valuable in society must be destroyed. The RSS chief also underlined the Indian worldview of unity amid diversity. “Unity is the truth and the sense of oneness amid diversity is the core message of Indian culture,” he said.

The two-day meeting, held on July 23 and 24, was attended by around 280 female delegates from across the country. More than 900 women participated in the concluding session at the Ambedkar International Centre, according to the organisers.