Caste discrimination a 'blot' on Hindu society, says RSS leader Hosabale
RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale has called caste discrimination a "blot" on Hindu society, saying it must end through changed individual behaviour rather than laws alone.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale has described caste-based discrimination as a "blot" on Hindu society, arguing that casteism and untouchability cannot be eliminated through legislation or sermons alone but require a change in individual behaviour.
Addressing a gathering of RSS volunteers at the Lal Parade Ground on Sunday, he said there should be no discrimination of any kind among human beings and asserted that birth-based discrimination is not part of Hindu culture.
Citing the Ramayana episode in which Lord Ram accepted berries offered by Shabari, Mr. Hosabale questioned how people could practise discrimination in the name of caste. Any kind of mistreatment in the name of caste weakens society, he said, urging people to begin the change with their own conduct and within their homes.
Civilisational journey
Mr. Hosabale said India's 5,000-year-old civilisational journey showed the country had repeatedly risen after crises and conflicts. He credited the people and scientists of India with earning the country a name in various fields internationally, and said the Prime Minister leading the country has enhanced India's global stature.
He added that India's progress should not be measured only in economic or material terms but by the contribution it makes to humanity. India is progressing rapidly and should rise, he said, but its rise should bring benefits to humanity rather than serve to dominate, exploit or suppress others.
Relief work and environment
Highlighting society's role in times of crisis, Mr. Hosabale noted that RSS volunteers had taken part in relief work during the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, while stressing that such efforts should involve society as a whole. Referring to recent floods in Assam, he said volunteers of the RSS-affiliated Seva Bharati had gone there to help affected people and found that young people, college students and members of different sections of society had also come forward. Working for the country should happen in every settlement and every village, he said.
On environmental protection, he said merely passing resolutions at public forums would not protect the environment and called for conservation to be made part of daily conduct at home, schools, workplaces, markets and neighbourhoods. He urged RSS volunteers to work towards keeping rivers clean through their own actions.
Mr. Hosabale also said India's progress should demonstrate to the world how material well-being and spiritual happiness could be achieved together in a balanced manner.
His remarks came three days after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed a gathering in Ujjain, where he told around 1,700 Gen Z participants at a 'Yuva Dharma Sansad' that a person's ego can create the misconception that his reign and everything operate according to his authority and that he can control everything.