RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat calls for social harmony, use of mother tongue: 'Country belongs to everyone'

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

• Mohan Bhagwat urges unity beyond caste, wealth, language, and region divisions
• He urges equal access to temples, water bodies, and shared spaces for all Hindus.
• Families encouraged to spend time together weekly to foster emotional bonds

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Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday stressed upon the idea of social harmony, urging people to look beyond divisions of caste, wealth, language and region, and adopt an inclusive outlook that treats everyone as one’s own.

Speaking at a ‘Hindu Sammelan’ in Sonpairi village of Chhattisgarh’s Raipur district, Bhagwat stressed that unity begins with changes in individual thinking and daily practices.

Underlining the role of language in social cohesion, Bhagwat said, “At least inside our houses, we should speak in our mother tongue. If you live in another state or region, you should learn the language of that state or region because all languages are India’s national languages. They all have equal weightage." He said respecting linguistic diversity was essential to strengthening bonds among people across regions.

Bhagwat described social harmony as a mindset rooted in inclusiveness and the rejection of discrimination.

“The entire country belongs to everyone, and this spirit is true social harmony," he said, adding that people should not assess others through the lens of caste, financial status, language or place of origin. He further said, “The entire India is mine," and referred to this approach as 'samajik samrasta', or social harmony.

The RSS chief also spoke about the importance of equal access to shared spaces and facilities within society.

He said temples, water bodies and cremation grounds must be accessible to all Hindus, without any form of exclusion. According to him, social service should be guided by unity and collective responsibility rather than conflict or division.

“All local resources and facilities, water sources like ponds and wells, places of worship such as temples and monasteries, arrangements for religious activities, and even final rites after death, should be open to all Hindus,” Bhagwat said, adding that common spaces must reflect equality and shared ownership.

Turning to family life, Bhagwat urged people to revive regular interaction within households. He suggested that families set aside at least one day each week to spend time together, share home-cooked meals, engage in prayers according to their faith, and hold meaningful conversations, which he referred to as ‘mangal samvad’. Such practices, he said, could help counter loneliness and strengthen emotional bonds.

Bhagwat also linked social harmony with responsible civic behaviour and environmental awareness, calling on people to work collectively for society and the nation.

He said that the first step towards harmony is removing prejudice and separation from one’s own mind, paving the way for a more inclusive and united social fabric.