Ludhiana: Seeking to clear the air regarding the organisation’s mission, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed a select gathering at a private college as part of the body’s centenary celebrations. Bhagwat urged the public to look past popular narratives and judge the RSS through its grassroots work. Emphasising a message of unity, he clarified that the organisation’s goal is not religious conversion but the collective betterment of society. “India is growing at a fast pace, but anti-national powers, including international ones, want to weaken us,” he stated, calling for a united front irrespective of caste or religion.During the interaction at a private college, Bhagwat denied any formal links to political parties, asserting that the RSS does not engage in “vote politics”. Instead, he encouraged citizens to vote cautiously on critical public issues. Defining the term Hindu not as a religion but as a behavior of acceptance, Bhagwat remarked that while people may take different routes, the destination remains common. Skill Centres to Combat Drug MenaceResponding to queries about Punjab’s drug crisis and shifting demographics, Bhagwat identified loneliness as the primary driver behind addiction and suicide among youth. The RSS chief noted that children often feel they have no one to turn to when they stumble because parents are not dedicating enough time to them. He urged parents to listen to their children’s failures and pain as a formula to keep them away from drugs. To tackle unemployment, he shared that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is establishing skill-training centers across districts to help youth find gainful employment.
