Bhagwat reaches out to tribal leaders

By Our Staff Reporter
Imphal, Nov 21 : On the 2nd day of his three-day visit to Manipur, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat interacted with Janajati (tribal) leaders in Imphal and appealed for strengthening unity and character-building to ensure lasting peace, harmony, and progress in the region and the Nation.
A traditional Manipuri lunch was organised at Bhaskara Prabha, Konjeng Leikai, Imphal as part of the event, where over 200 leaders representing different tribal communities of Manipur joined Dr Bhagwat, as per a statement.
On the issues raised by the tribal leaders, he assured that their concerns are National concerns and emphasised on self-reliance and solutions within the Constitutional framework.
“Issues in a family must be solved within the family. Dialogue must be based on oneness, not contractual bargaining,” he said, also pointing out that several regional issues and divisions have historical roots in colonial policies.
He urged Janajati leaders to take pride in indigenous traditions, languages, and scripts, and embrace a swadeshi lifestyle rooted in cultural identity.
On the topic of RSS, Dr Bhagwat asserted that it is a purely social organisation dedicated to strengthening society.
“RSS is not against anybody; it is not formed to destroy, but to fulfill society. Leaders, politics, Governments, and even divine incarnations are supportive forces, but what the society truly needs is unity,” he said. He added that the Sangh neither engages in politics nor remote-controls any organisation. “RSS works only through friendship, affection and social harmony,” he stated.
Dr Bhagwat added that anyone working for the betterment of the society with commitment to Bharatiya civilisation is already an undeclared swayamsevak. “RSS people are baggage-free; we want nothing but a good society,” he remarked.
Separately, the RSS Chief also interacted with youth leaders in Imphal and urged the young generation to recognise that "Bharat is not a Nation born in recent centuries but an ancient and continuous civilisation".
Dr Bhagwat encouraged youth participation in Nation-building while adding that RSS Shakas (branch) aim to shape responsible, capable and selfless citizens who contribute their skills and talents for the country.
Warning against the influence of extreme materialism and self-centredness, he emphasised that strong families and value-based upbringing are crucial for a strong Nation.