Keep national security in mind while taking a call on Rohingya, says Mohan Bhagwat

RSS chief condemns cow vigilante attacks; says the problems faced by people displaced from Kashmir are yet to be addressed

September 30, 2017 12:22 pm | Updated 12:33 pm IST - Nagpur

Mohan Bhagwat was addressing the RSS’ annual Dussehra event. File photo

Mohan Bhagwat was addressing the RSS’ annual Dussehra event. File photo

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat today asked the Central Government to keep national security in mind while taking a decision on Rohingya who are seeking shelter in the country.

“We have been facing the problem of illegal Bangladeshi migrants and now Rohingyas have infiltrated into our country,” Mr. Bhagwat said while addressing the RSS’ annual Dussehra event here.

Giving shelter to Rohingyas will not only put pressure on our jobs, but also pose a threat to national security, he said.

“Any decision regarding Rohingyas should be taken by keeping in mind the threat to national security,” he said referring to the people who have fled from violence-hit Rakhine state in Myanmar.

Kashmir

On the Kashmir issue, Mr. Bhagwat said the problems of the people, who were displaced from the Kashmir Valley in 1990s, are yet to be addressed.

“Necessary constitutional amendments will have to be made and old provisions will have to be changed in that state,” he said at the event, where BJP patriarch L.K. Advani and Union minister Nitin Gadkari were among those present.

“Only when the constitutional amendments are done, can the residents of Jammu and Kashmir be completely assimilated with the rest of India,” Mr. Bhagwat said, apparently hinting at Article 370 which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Cow vigilantism

The RSS chief referred to the issue of cow vigilantism, saying “it is reprehensible that some some people have been killed allegedly by gaurakshaks”.

At the same time, many people have been killed by cow smugglers, he said.

Mr. Bhagwat said the issue of cow protection is beyond religion and “many Muslims have sacrificed their life for protection of the cow just as people of Bajrang Dal have”.

Economy

On the economic situation, the RSS chief said that the interests of small, medium industries and self-employed businesses should be protected as they make the “biggest contribution” to the economy.

Mumbai stampede

Mr. Bhagwat offered condolences to the victims of the stampede in Mumbai yesterday.

“We all empathise with the families of our brethren who have lost their lives and those who have got injured in yesterday’s incident at Mumbai,” he said.

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