‘Would like if politics based on caste and religion didn’t exist’
MUMBAI: The chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Mohan Bhagwat, on Thursday, said that vote bank politics will continue in India as long as society votes on the basis of religion and caste.
“I would like it if politics based on caste or religion does not exist, but it is not true. Caste and religion-based politics is there because society votes on this basis. Political change will happen only if there is social change,” Bhagwat said while speaking on ‘Ethics in Business’ at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in Mumbai. Significantly, the RSS is regarded as a Hindu nationalist organization and is the ideological fountainhead of BJP.
“It is inevitable that all governments have to adapt and bend to the pressure of their subjects. the Prime Minister suggests development, it meets opposition from the society,” he said.
However, according to Bhagwat, the Indian society has an intelligent consciousness, and it learns rapidly from its mistakes. He added, “Results of every consecutive election in the past few years is proof that the society is learning to make the right choice. With the right kind of push, it will learn faster.”
Commenting on the religious freedom available to Indians, Bhagwat said every Indian is free to practice the religion that appeals to him, and following one religion is a personal choice, because all Indians have the same “dharma” (ethics). Opposition parties have been accusing RSS-affiliated organisations of targeting minorities over the issue of religion.
Accompanying Bhagwat at the talk, were managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of the BSE -Ashishkumar Chauhan, and founder CEO of Tata Consultancy Services - Dr Lalit Kanodia.
He said, “Even without government control, Indian businesses will still be governed by the ultimate control of ethics.”