'Women should be freed from regressive customs': Mohan Bhagwat says 'women empowerment essential for nation's progress'

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has said that women empowerment is essential for the progress of a nation. "Women empowerment is essential for the nation's progress; they should be freed from regressive customs and traditions," he said, as quoted by the news agency Press Trust of India.

Bhagwat was speaking at the "Parivar Utsav" at Hutatma Smriti Mandir on Thursday for the celebration of silver jubilee years of Udyogvardhini in Solapur. Bhagwat, while speaking at the event, said that if a man is trained, he will work for his lifetime, but if a woman is trained, she will not only work but also ensure the progress of the next generation.

"Women are the ones who impart values and affection, and children grow under their affectionate care. Children grow under the parents' shadow till the age of 12, which becomes their foundation. During this period, their nature and temperament are formed. Even if they wander away later in life, they return to this foundation. Making this foundation strong is crucial, and this is what mothers do," the RSS chief added.

He also said that women possess qualities of affection, enabling them to perform many tasks that men cannot. "However, God has also given women the qualities given to men, so women can do whatever men do. Therefore, men should not work with arrogance thinking they will uplift women. Men should allow women to do the work they wish to do and make them capable. They should be freed from traditional constraints and given open space. Today, women are at the forefront in many fields," the RSS chief said.