Lynching is a word from a separate religious text; don't use it to defame India: Bhagwat

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday said lynching is a "western construct" and should not be used in the Indian context to defame the country.

Addressing the Vijayadashmi function of the RSS at Reshimbagh ground in Maharashtra's Nagpur city, he said the word 'lynching' does not originate from Indian ethos but comes from a separate religious text, and such terms should not be imposed on Indians.

He also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the government's move to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, but said some vested interests do not want the country to be strong and vibrant.

Voicing his displeasure over several incidents of mob violence in the country, he said, "Lynching is not the word from Indian ethos, its origin is from a story in a separate religious text. We Indians trust in brotherhood. Don't impose such terms on Indians," PTI reported.

"Lynching itself is a western construct and one shouldn't use it in the Indian context to defame the country," he said.

For the past few months, RSS has been trying to improve its international image. A month before, Bhagwat had interacted with foreign journalists from 30 countries in Delhi and shared the vision of the organisation.

"This interaction was part of the continuous process where the sarsanghchalak (chief) engages in constructive dialogue with people from different walks of society," the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh said in a statement.

The interaction lasted for around two-and-a-half hours. It started with a brief introduction given by Bhagwat, followed by a question-and-answer session covering a wide range of issues across the spectrum, according to the statement.

Bhagwat urged citizens to create harmony, and that everyone should live within confines of law. "Swayamsevaks are brought up with that sanskar," he said.

He said in the past few years, there has been transformation in "direction of thought process of Bharat".

"There are many people in the world and in Bharat as well, who don't want this. A developed Bharat creates fear in the minds of vested interests...such forces will also not want  Bharat to be strong and vibrant," the RSS chief said.

Even well-meaning policies, statements from persons in government and administration were being misused to benefit nefarious designs by vested interests, he rued.

"We must be alert in identifying these plots and counter them on intellectual and social levels," he said.

Bhagwat said the world was eager to know if the 2019 elections in such a huge country will be conducted smoothly.

"Democracy in India is not something imported from any country, but a practice which has been prevalent here since centuries," Bhagwat said.

He said India's borders were now safer than ever, and more focus was needed on coastal security.

"The number of guards and check-posts on land borders and surveillance along the maritime border, especially on islands, have to be increased," he said.

On concerns over the economic sector, he said the slowing down of world economy has left its impact everywhere.

"The government has taken initiatives to tide over the situation in the last one-and-a-half months. Our society is entrepreneurial and will overcome these challenges," he added.

In the morning, Bhagwat performed 'shastra puja' at the Sangh's annual Vijayadashmi event.

HCL founder Shiv Nadar was the chief guest for this year's event.

Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Gen V.K. Singh (retd) and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were among those present at the event.