Signing you in

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription

The View From India Looking at World Affairs from the Indian perspective.

First Day First Show News and reviews from the world of cinema and streaming.

Today's Cache Your download of the top 5 technology stories of the day.

Data Point Decoding the headlines with facts, figures, and numbers

Health Matters Ramya Kannan writes to you on getting to good health, and staying there

The Hindu On Books Books of the week, reviews, excerpts, new titles and features.

In this image posted on October 20, 2026, RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat addresses the 'RSS Vijayadashami Utsav', in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Photo: @RSSorg/X via PTI Photo

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) cautioned against politically motivated agitations and social divisions. “It’s a wrong perception that problems get solved only through agitation,” he said, warning that domestic unrest could be exploited by international forces seeking to weaken India.

In his annual Vijayadasami address, which is also the RSS’s foundation day, Mr. Bhagwat said protests were a natural consequence of social problems and administrative shortcomings, but stressed that agitations should aim to find solutions rather than deepen hostility or create divisions within society.

“Whether it is a section of society staging a protest, the government and administration taking action to maintain peace and order, or political leaders responding to the situation, our actions must not create discord, hostility, resentment or divisions within our united society,” the RSS leader said.

He cautioned people that even if their emotions ran high, they must ensure their actions remained within the bounds of the Constitution and the law, and the standards of civility and propriety that should govern speech, conduct and behaviour, even in the protests.

“We must remain vigilant to ensure that the temptation of electoral gains, cheap popularity or political advantage does not overpower our judgement and goodwill,” Mr. Bhagwat said, adding, “It is also not our experience that only the government can solve all of society’s problems, or that problems get solved only through agitations. Problems can also be solved through the activity of society and mutual dialogue,” he said.

Stating that when a protest became a political instrument driven by hostility towards a person, group or ideology, forces seeking to keep India subdued took advantage of the situation.

“Their modus operandi is to deepen differences and create divisions among people, foster a sense of victimhood in response to problems, and undermine public faith in the country’s institutions. This creates an atmosphere of conflict, intense discontent, alienation, disorder and chaos. Global powers seeking to keep India subdued also sometimes pursue their own agendas through such developments,” Mr. Bhagwat said.

The RSS leader’s statement comes at a time when India is witnessing both political and youth-led protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid allegations of irregularities in the ongoing process of Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

In July, a youth-led protest at Jantar Mantar, born of anger over exam paper leaks, made headlines with allegations of excessive use of force against the protesters by security personnel, and led to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Commenting on the recent ‘regime change’ debate against the backdrop of the recent protests, Mr. Bhagwat said that a storm had swept in from the West that was opposed to “every kind of order, every form of civility, everything auspicious, and all cultural and human values”. “It wants to destroy, corrupt, and devastate all of these things,” he said.

Referring to recent protests in various countries, he said: “Even developed countries are troubled by it. Just listen to the news that has been coming in over the past few days. What is happening in France? What is happening in Albania? What happened in Bangladesh? What happened in Nepal? All of these events have been engineered and orchestrated by them. They claim that changing the regime will change the situation. But that has never happened, not in the past, and not even today.”

Citing the recent tension in France and past instances in Nepal and Bangladesh, Mr. Bhagwat alleged that powerful forces were attempting to deepen social divisions and weaken India, too, as it expanded its global influence.

“India’s progress, driven by its policies, leadership, national self-confidence and the growing awareness of its international responsibilities, had made it an important competitor on the world stage,” the RSS leader said.

According to him, forces opposed to India’s rise could exploit domestic grievances and support individuals or groups whose actions contribute to instability.

Stating that the current generation needs proper guidance, Mr. Bhagwat said that values once passed down by family elders, schools, and society were fading.

Seeking a curb on OTT platforms, he said that social media delivered unfiltered information to young people who often could not tell right from wrong. Several countries, after suffering the consequences, had imposed curbs on these platforms.

“India also feels the need, especially for OTT platforms, and the government should consider it. But young people must also be taught discernment, since its absence harms personal, family and social life and is driving youth worldwide toward drug addiction,” he said, adding, “Parents must pass on this discernment, youth must avoid addictive habits, and swayamsevaks will work for a nationwide resistance against drug abuse.”

Speaking on the controversy surrounding Vande Mataram, he said that the national song was a symbol of unity and patriotism during the movement against the Partition of Bengal, and that it continued to inspire national unity today. There should be “no hesitation or objection to sing it in its entirety, with pride and in a loud, clear voice”, Mr. Bhagwat said.

While concluding, Mr. Bhagwat said India’s ambition to become a ‘Vishwaguru’ (a guide for the world) would depend on the conduct and contribution of its citizens. He argued that national progress required a society capable of preserving unity while accommodating diversity, and called for balanced development, social responsibility, discipline, and mutual respect.

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.