Amid reports of growing tension between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological mentor, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, in his first public address on Monday after the conclusion of Lok Sabha elections where the BJP fell short of a majority, said that a true ‘sevak’ should not exhibit “arrogance” and must work without causing harm to others.
Bhagwat alleged that “decorum was not maintained” during the recent heated election campaign.
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At the conclusion of Karyakarta Vikas Varg, a periodic training programme for RSS workers in Nagpur, on the day the new BJP-led coalition held its first Cabinet meeting, Bhagwat stressed the importance of building consensus. He also expressed the Sangh’s concern over ongoing violence in Manipur, questioning who would address the issue on the ground and emphasising that it needed to be prioritised.
“A true sevak maintains decorum while working… The one who maintains decorum does his work, but remains unattached. There is no arrogance that I did this. Only such a person has the right to be called a sevak,” he said.
The RSS chief’s remarks came as the BJP and Sangh were in discussions following the poll results, with a new coalition government taking office at the Centre.
He advocated viewing elections as a competition rather than a war. “The way the two sides castigated each other (during the elections)… the way no one cared about social divisions being created because of what was being done… and for no reason the Sangh was dragged into this… untruths were spread with the use of technology. Is this the way knowledge should be used? How will the country operate like this?” he questioned.
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Regarding the Opposition, Bhagwat stated, “I do not call it Virodhi Paksh, I call it Pratipaksh. Pratipaksh virodhi nahi hai (The Opposition is not an opponent). It is revealing a side and that must be deliberated upon. If we understand that this is how we must operate, then we must be cognisant of the decorum required in contesting elections. That decorum was not maintained.”
He mentioned that elections are essential for democracy, creating competition between two sides. This competition naturally leads to one side prevailing, but maintaining decorum is crucial. He stressed the importance of being honest, as elected representatives will convene in Parliament to govern through consensus, which is a tradition.
According to Bhagwat, complete alignment of thoughts and ideas is unattainable. However, when society decides to unite despite differences, consensus is achieved. Parliament serves as a platform for both sides to express their perspectives. He stressed the necessity to move past the exaggerated rhetoric of elections and focus on the future.