RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat urges patience, collective effort to restore peace in Manipur

Guwahati: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat urged people in Manipur to join hands and remain patient as the state works toward restoring peace, noting that rebuilding harmony takes far longer than causing destruction.

“Destruction happens in minutes, but rebuilding, especially when everyone is included, takes years,” he said.

Bhagwat delivered the message on the first day of his three-day visit to Imphal while addressing dignitaries.

He acknowledged that various communities and social groups were already attempting to stabilise the situation, but he warned against expecting quick solutions or leaving the responsibility entirely to the government.

He stressed that public participation remained central to long-term peace. “The awareness of ordinary citizens is the key. Society must take responsibility; we cannot expect the government to do everything,” he said, highlighting the RSS’s goal of strengthening social foundations to build a self-reliant nation.

Responding to long-running criticism of the RSS, Bhagwat said that misinformation about the organisation had circulated since 1932–33, including from foreign groups that misunderstood India’s civilisational values.

He encouraged people to understand the organisation through its shakhas instead of relying on narratives shaped by perception.

“There is no organisation like the RSS, just as the ocean, the sky, and the sea have no comparison,” Bhagwat said.

He added that the RSS aimed to unite Hindu society, including those who disagreed with it, and not to create a power centre.

Bhagwat also clarified the organisation’s interpretation of the word “Hindu,” describing it as a cultural and civilisational expression rather than a religious category. He called it “not a noun but an adjective.”

The RSS chief outlined five key initiatives that the organisation is undertaking during its centenary year: fostering social unity, strengthening families, protecting the environment, promoting indigenous identity and products, and encouraging civic responsibility.

He praised Manipur’s cultural heritage, including its traditional clothing and extensive use of local languages, and encouraged residents to continue nurturing these customs.

Bhagwat also underscored the importance of skill development for economic progress and engaged with participants on matters such as youth development and reservation policies.