RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat blames West for rise of ISIS and spread of terrorism

Nagpur: Blaming Western nations for the spread of international terrorism, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said the selfish interest of western countries for procuring oil in West Asia for rise in terror activities of the Islamic State (IS).

"Self-centred collective greed gives rise to exploitation, suppression, violence and fanaticism. The basis of selfish interest by the western countries is fully responsible for a new incarnation of terror and fundamentalism that emerged in West Asia in the name of ISIS which is terrorising the world," Bhagwat said.

There is no doubt that most countries and religious groups of the world are unitedly fighting against the menace, he said at the annual RSS event which this year marks the 90th year of its existence.

The right-wing, volunteer Hindu nationalist organisation was formed on Vijay Dashmi in 1925 in Nagpur.

In the Dusshera address, which was shown live on Doordarshan for the first time, Bhagwat came out in fulsome praise of the Modi government on Friday for initiatives on national security, economy and international relations in a short period of six months.

He said, positive signs are emanating that give people the hope that India is emerging stronger on the international stage.

He said people should give some more time to the government for expedition and efficient execution of its policies.

Unless the last person in the country feels satisfied with welfare initiatives, security and safety, the government cannot complete its task, Bhagwat said.

"We don't have a magic wand to change but the government seems committed," he during the address.

Bhagwat said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the US has sent positive signals and has ushered a new enthusiasm among people of the country.

"A new ray of hope has entered in the hearts of the people. The entire country was feeling proud of the visit and the subsequent talks with the US government," he said, adding, the world needs India.

Bhagwat called for boycott of Chinese products saying on one hand we want the government to stay firm on China but we enjoy buying products from that country.

He also lauded the efforts of the Centre and volunteers of the RSS for undertaking rescue works in Jammu and Kashmir, which has recently witnessed worst-ever floods.

While paying homage to those killed in the floods, Bhagwat said, "Our sympathies are with the families."

The swiftness, efficiency and open-heartedness of the Central government that has provided relief to the affected people, deserves appreciation, he said.

Congratulating ISRO scientists for their successful Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), the RSS chief said it is a great achievement for Indian scientists.

"We have been successful in out first attempt to enter the Mars orbit. The whole world is praising our effort and Indian scientists," he said.

He also complimented Indian athletes for their outstanding performance in the ongoing 17th Asian Games at Incheon.

"I congratulate the scientists and all those players who have made the country proud," Bhagwat said.

The Sangh patriarch today did not touch on issues like religious conversion, corruption, Naxalism, Indo-China relations, inflation, elections (in reference to Maharashtra and Haryana polls to be held this month).

The RSS, seen as an ideological bedrock of the ruling BJP, chief said there is a need to bring the organisation's branches to the every village and street to support its nation-building work.

"Sangh has been doing it for many decades... Which believes in unity in diversity, which does not ask anybody to leave anything except their vices and arrogance, which is the thread of unity running through the country' diversities, this is Hindutva," he said.

The live telecast came in for sharp criticism from the opposition with Congress spokesman Sandeep Dikshit saying it is a "dangerous tradition" as RSS is a controversial religious and political organisation.

Condemning the live broadcast, Left parties today attacked the government for "misusing" the public broadcaster.

"The RSS uses the occasion propagate its Hindutva ideology. The national public broadcaster has no business to telecast live the speech of the Chief of an organisation like the RSS," the CPI(M) Politburo said in a statement.

Historian and commentator Ramchandra Guha said this "naked state majoritarianism" must be resisted.

"This (showing it live) is a dangerous misuse of the state machinery. The RSS is a sectarian Hindu body. Next, imams in mosques and priests in churches may ask that DD covers their speeches live," he said in his tweets.