Caste discrimination a blot on Hindu society, says RSS's Dattatreya Hosabale

RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Sunday described caste-based discrimination and untouchability as a "blot" on Hindu society, and said they cannot be ended by laws or sermons alone but need a change in personal behaviour.

Addressing RSS volunteers at Lal Parade Ground in Bhopal, he also said India's rise should benefit humanity rather than seek to dominate other nations. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had enhanced India's stature globally, and called for wider social participation in relief work and environmental protection.

Hosabale said there should be an end to caste discrimination and untouchability, and stressed that change must begin in everyday conduct. "There should be no discrimination of any kind among human beings. Birth-based discrimination is not part of Hindu culture," he said.

Referring to the Ramayana, he cited Lord Ram accepting berries offered by Shabari and asked how people could practise discrimination in the name of caste. "Any kind of mistreatment in the name of caste weakens society," he said, urging people to begin the change with their own conduct and within their homes.

Hosabale said India's 5,000-year-old civilisational journey showed that the country had repeatedly risen after crises and conflicts.

"The people of India and its scientists have earned a name for the country in various fields at the international level, and the Prime Minister leading the country has enhanced India's glory internationally," he said.

He said India's progress should not be measured only by economic or material growth, but also by what it contributes to humanity. "India is progressing rapidly, but this means that India is rising, and it should rise. India's rise should bring many kinds of benefits to humanity," he said.

Hosabale added that India should rise and progress not to dominate, exploit or suppress anyone, but to serve humanity. He also said India's progress should show the world how material well-being and spiritual happiness can be achieved together in a balanced way.

On the role of society during crises, Hosabale said RSS volunteers had taken part in relief work during the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, but such work should involve society as a whole.

Referring to the recent floods in Assam, he said volunteers of RSS-affiliated Seva Bharati had gone there to help and found that young people, college students and members of different sections of society had also come forward. "This is how it should be. Working for the country should happen in every settlement and every village," he said.

On environmental protection, he said passing resolutions at public forums alone would not protect the environment. He called for conservation to become part of daily behaviour at home, in schools, workplaces, markets and neighbourhoods, and urged RSS volunteers to work to keep rivers clean and protect the environment through their own actions.

Three days ago, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had addressed a gathering in Ujjain and said a person's ego could create the misconception that everything operates according to his authority and that he can control everything.

"Take the Sun, for example; you cannot do anything about it. If you don't believe in it, that's fine, but it will still rise and set," he had told around 1,700 Gen Z participants at the Yuva Dharma Sansad.