Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said that violent movements never bring lasting benefits, rather they create chaos and open the door for foreign interference.
Speaking at an event marking the centenary of the RSS, considered the ideological parent of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Bhagwat cited recent examples from neighboring countries. He said that despite mass protests toppling corrupt governments, sustainable change did not come in Nepal’s youth-led movement last month, Sri Lanka’s 2022 uprising, or Bangladesh’s political unrest in 2024.
“Violent agitations bring anarchy. They create opportunities for foreign powers to interfere,” Bhagwat said, according to a report by NDTV.
He further warned, “Instability and unrest in our neighboring countries is concerning for us—not just from a national security perspective but also because of our shared history and cultural ties. Many of these regions were once part of India. Disturbances there are closely tied to us.”
Bhagwat stressed that the turmoil in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal, where governments were overthrown through public anger, is a worrying trend. “Both domestic and external forces are trying to create such unrest,” he added. Referring to French history, he noted that after the king was dethroned, Napoleon rose as emperor, and despite many socialist uprisings, most of those countries eventually turned capitalist.
Highlighting India’s tradition of unity in diversity, Bhagwat said differences must be expressed within the framework of law. “Provocations that seek to divide society are unacceptable. The administration must be fair, but the youth also need to remain vigilant and intervene when necessary to stop the spread of disorder,” he stated.
His remarks came a day after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned that “infiltrators are changing the demographic character of the country, putting social harmony and internal security at risk.”
