Mumbai, Feb 8 (NationPress) The chief of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Mohan Bhagwat, stated on Sunday that awarding the Bharat Ratna to Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, widely known as Veer Savarkar, would be a significant honour for the award itself. He emphasized that this Hindutva ideologue enjoys vast public admiration.

Bhagwat expressed these thoughts during an event titled ‘100 Years of Sangh Journey – New Horizons’ held in Mumbai.

Regarding the perceived “delay” in awarding Savarkar, he commented, “I am not on that committee, but I would inquire about the reasons for the delay if I had the chance. Granting Savarkar the Bharat Ratna would enhance the award’s prestige, and he already commands the affection of the public without any formal recognition.”

The call for Savarkar to receive the Bharat Ratna has been a persistent political topic.

Numerous leaders and organizations have advocated for the nation’s highest civilian honour to be awarded to Savarkar, while the Congress party has vehemently opposed such considerations, labeling him a “traitor” due to his mercy petitions to British authorities during his imprisonment within the freedom struggle.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena have consistently shown support for conferring the Bharat Ratna upon Savarkar, citing his roles as a freedom fighter, writer, and social reformer.

During his speech at the event, Bhagwat also elaborated on the organizational philosophy of the RSS, highlighting that the Sangh prioritizes instilling sanskar or values rather than engaging in aggressive campaigning.

“Overzealous campaigning leads to publicity that can foster arrogance. One must guard against it. Publicity should be like rain: timely and sufficient,” Bhagwat remarked, noting that the RSS has been expanding its outreach efforts recently.

Bhagwat also discussed the use of language within the RSS, asserting that English would not be the primary medium of communication for the organization as it is not an indigenous tongue.

He clarified that while English is utilized when necessary, it is not central to the Sangh’s communication methods.

“We aim to collaborate with Indian individuals. We are open to using English wherever it is necessary,” he stated.

He further emphasized the importance of mastering language skills, encouraging individuals to speak English proficiently.

“People should communicate in English in a manner that captivates native speakers,” Bhagwat added.

Simultaneously, he stressed the need to preserve local languages, stating, “We should excel in English, but this should not come at the expense of our mother tongue.”

Reflecting on a prior discussion in Bengaluru, Bhagwat noted that representatives from various southern states encountered challenges in understanding Hindi during conversations.

He shared that he had addressed their questions in English to facilitate effective communication, showcasing the organization’s practical approach to language use.