Mohan Bhagwat Calls for Religious Tolerance at Yuva Dharma Sansad

On a breezy Friday in Ujjain, the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed a gathering of young minds at the Yuva Dharma Sansad. He began with a simple, almost nostalgic observation – it’s rare these days to see youngsters take up the mantle of dharma, the ancient concept of duty and moral order.

“People often think dharma belongs to the retired, to the old‑guard,” he said, chuckling lightly. “But dharma is as constant as the sunrise; it belongs to every generation, from the moment we are born until the very end.” He drew a vivid parallel between the inevitable motion of the sun and the immutable nature of duty, a comparison that lingered in the audience’s minds.

Baghwat then unpacked what dharma means in practical terms. He spoke of putra dharma – the duty of a son, raj dharma – the responsibility of a ruler, and manav dharma – the universal obligations of humanity. “Dharma lives in our conduct, not in lofty lectures or dusty books,” he emphasized, adding that the true value of scriptures is to guide, not to dominate.

Switching gears, the RSS chief warned against the perils of arrogance. “A person driven by ego thinks the world must bend to his will,” he cautioned. “Reality, however, has its own rhythm.” While he did not name any political figure, his timing – a day before Rahul Gandhi’s opposition rally in nearby Indore – gave his remarks a subtle political undertone.

The heart of his speech, though, was a call for religious tolerance. Bhagwat asserted that each individual should remain steadfast in the form of worship that resonates with their nature and lineage, yet also respect the sacred practices of others. “We hold our own worship dear, just as we regard others’ worship as good,” he said. “Conversion is not the goal; mutual respect is.”

His words seemed aimed at bridging divides, especially among the country’s youth who are navigating a pluralistic society. By framing dharma as a lived ethic and urging humility, Bhagwat left the hall with a message that reverberated beyond the podium: harmony is possible when we honor both our own traditions and those of our neighbors.