Back govt in conflicts with China, Pak; dialogue must resume after war: RSS chief
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said Indians must stand firmly behind the government and the armed forces during conflicts with countries
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said Indians must stand firmly behind the government and the armed forces during conflicts with countries such as Pakistan and China, but stressed that political disputes should not permanently sever people-to-people ties. Emphasising that "humanity is one", Bhagwat said lasting peace could only be achieved through dialogue once hostilities end. Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Bhagwat was asked whether civilian engagement with Pakistan and China should continue during periods of conflict. He said there could be no ambiguity during war or national security crises, asserting that citizens must fully support the government's decisions and the armed forces. "In times of conflict, we have to go with whatever our government and military do," he said. Read Full Story Bhagwat, however, said military or political conflicts should not permanently erase the historical and civilisational bonds shared by societies. Referring to India's long-standing cultural ties with China and the shared history of the Indian subcontinent, he said such relationships could be put on hold during hostilities but should not be broken forever. "You have given two examples, Pakistan and China.
People in China say that for 2,000 years Bharat has given us values. Pakistan was part of Bharat not more than 100 years ago. These should not be forgotten. These ties cannot be severed. They can be put on hold till the conflict is there," he said. Calling permanent hatred a dead end, Bhagwat said dialogue and engagement should resume once conflicts are resolved. "Sometimes, after the resolution of conflict, we have to take up the thread from where we left it and continue. So permanent enmity, permanent hatred is not the solution," he said. Bhagwat's comments come nearly three months after RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale argued that while India could not trust Pakistan's political and military establishment, people-to-people engagement remained the best long-term hope for improving bilateral ties. POLITICS OFTEN DEFINE PEOPLE'S RELATIONS The RSS chief also said hostility between countries was often shaped by political realities rather than ordinary people. "It is not that Pakistanis are wholeheartedly enemies of Indians. Nor are Indians like that. States, politics and international borders are realities of life," he said. Reiterating that support for the nation during conflict and the pursuit of peace afterwards were not contradictory, Bhagwat said, "During conflict, we are with our government and we are with our military.
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