Mohan Bhagwat

used neglected sections of society to further their agenda. Maoists take strength from the country’s enemies and always malign the nation wherever they go, he added.

Bhagwat also called for securing the country’s borders, strengthening the armed forces and focusing on internal security.

Without naming Pakistan, he said attacks on borders have not stopped despite a new government taking over (there). Noting that India always stood for peace and brotherhood, he stressed the need to maintain a balance between strengthening armed forces and raising their morale and at the same time propagating peace with neighbours.

The country cannot be assured about its security without total self-reliance in the field of defence production even while continuing with multilateral exchanges wherever necessary, Bhagwat said, adding the pace of national efforts in this direction has to be accelerated.

Nobel Prize winner and social activist Kailash Satyarthi was the chief guest on the occasion.

(With PTI inputs)