RSS centenary celebrations: Mohan Bhagwat hails Operation Sindoor, lauds armed forces - top quotes

NEW Delhi: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday addressed the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Nagpur, performing the traditional ‘Shastra Puja’ and paying tribute to the organisation’s founder, Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar.

Addressing the gathering, Bhagwat reflected on contemporary challenges facing India, from cross-border terrorism to climate and economic issues, while stressing the importance of self-reliance and societal unity.

Top quotes from Mohan Bhagwat's address:

• "Terrorists from across the border killed 26 Indians after asking their religion. The nation was mourning and angry about the terror attack. With complete preparations, our government and armed forces gave a befitting reply."
• "The role played by various nations after this incident and our operation revealed our true friends. Within the country as well, there are unconstitutional elements who try to destabilise the country."
• "Natural calamities have increased. Landslides and incessant rainfall have become normal... The Himalayas are our security wall and a source of water for the entire South Asia. If the existing patterns of development promote the calamities that we are seeing, then we will have to reconsider our decisions. The present situation of the Himalayas is ringing a warning bell."
• "The new tariff policy implemented by the US was done keeping in mind the interest of their own. But everyone is affected by them... The world functions with dependence on each other; this is how relations between any two nations are maintained. No country can survive in isolation."
• "This dependence must not turn into compulsion... We need to rely on swadeshi and focus on self-reliance... Yet strive to maintain diplomatic relations with all our friendly nations, which will be with our wish and without compulsion."

Former President Ram Nath Kovid also addressed the gathering. Senior leaders, including Union minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, attended the celebrations.