RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat met Janajati leaders in Imphal on the second day of his three-day visit to Manipur, urging communities to work together for unity, character-building and social harmony. The discussion, held against the backdrop of ongoing tensions in the state, centred on strengthening collective responsibility to secure lasting peace and progress. More than 200 representatives from various Janajati communities attended the interaction, which was followed by a traditional Manipuri lunch at Bhaskara Prabha. The shared meal, Dr. Bhagwat said, reflected a spirit of equality and mutual respect—values he believes must guide the nation in challenging times. Addressing the gathering, he reiterated that the RSS is a social organisation dedicated to strengthening society and harbours no agenda against any community.
He clarified that the Sangh does not engage in politics or control any organisation. Its work, he said, is rooted in friendship, affection and social harmony. True unity, he noted, is upheld not by governments or institutions alone but by society. Dr. Bhagwat highlighted the continuity of Bharat’s civilisation, observing that genetic and cultural studies point to an unbroken shared heritage for more than 40,000 years. Bharat, he said, is a civilisational family where diverse communities share the same foundational identity. “Unity does not mean uniformity,” he remarked, adding that fraternity—the cornerstone of Bharat’s dharma—is essential for Liberty and Equality to thrive. Recalling the origins of the RSS, he said the organisation was founded to address internal divisions and foster character-building. He encouraged participants to visit Shakhas to understand how the Sangh functions at the grassroots, stressing that anyone committed to social welfare and civilisational values is, in spirit, already a swayamsevak.
Dr. Bhagwat responded to concerns raised by Janajati leaders, saying their issues are national concerns and must be resolved within the Constitutional framework. He emphasised that problems within a family must be solved through dialogue and a sense of oneness. Several regional tensions today, he said, are rooted in colonial-era divisions that still shape perceptions. He outlined ongoing Sangh initiatives such as Sadbhavana Baithaks and the Panch Parivartan programme, which focus on strengthening families, promoting social harmony, fostering civilisational awareness, protecting the environment and encouraging responsible citizenship. He urged Janajati leaders to take pride in their indigenous languages, scripts and traditions, and to embrace a swadeshi lifestyle that honours cultural identity.
