Mumbai: RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday emphasised that engaging in conflicts is not inherent to India’s cultural character.
Speaking at the National Book Festival in Nagpur, he said that India’s traditions have always celebrated brotherhood, collective harmony, and coexistence.
Bhagwat stated that India’s concept of nationhood is fundamentally different from Western interpretations.
We have no disputes with anyone. We stay away from conflict. Quarrelling is not like our country,” he said, adding that unity and fraternity have always been central to India’s ethos.
He pointed out that while many regions of the world evolved through conflict and power struggles, India has developed as a civilisation that values inclusivity.
According to him, once certain ideologies form rigid opinions, they begin rejecting alternative viewpoints and label them as mere ‘isms.’
‘We Use the Term Nationality, Not Nationalism’
Bhagwat explained that the RSS prefers the word “nationality” over “nationalism,” as excessive national pride in history has led to devastating consequences, such as World Wars.
He noted that the Western understanding of a nation typically involves a single central government administering a territory, but India has always been a nation in spirit, regardless of different governing systems or periods of foreign rule.
Unity Amid Diversity
Bhagwat further stressed that India’s national identity arises from deep cultural and emotional bonds among its people, not from arrogance or pride. We are all brothers because we are children of Bharat Mata,” he said.
He added that differences in religion, language, food, traditions, or states—human-made distinctions—cannot divide Indians. India remains united despite immense diversity, and this unity forms the foundation of the country’s cultural heritage.
‘AI Cannot Be Stopped, but It Must Be Controlled’
Addressing young writers at the event, Bhagwat spoke about Artificial Intelligence (AI), saying that its arrival is inevitable, but responsibility and ethical supervision must remain with humans.
Technology like AI cannot be stopped, but we must ensure control and maintain dignity while using it,” he said.
He emphasised that AI should be used for the welfare of humanity and to improve human life, warning that misuse could harm society and should be prevented.