Mohan Bhagwat मोहन भागवत

Life

1. 1950Born on 11 September at Chandrapur, Maharashtra, into a family associated with the movement.
2. 1970sGraduates in veterinary science from Nagpur; leaves postgraduate studies to become a full-time worker in 1975.
3. 1990sHolds regional and national responsibilities, including in charge of physical training.
4. 2000–2009General secretary (Sarkaryavah).
5. 2009Becomes head on 21 March.
6. 2025–26Leads the centenary programmes, including the Panch Parivartan campaign.

Public statements (as reported)

In September 2018 he held a three-day lecture series at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi, an outreach to a wider public, at which he said that parts of Golwalkar's "Bunch of Thoughts" were no longer relevant.

In 2021 he said at several events that the DNA of all Indians has been the same for tens of thousands of years, regardless of religion, and that there can be no dominance of Hindus or Muslims, only of Indians.

In 2022, during the Gyanvapi dispute, he questioned the need to look for a Shivling in every mosque.

In his Vijayadashami addresses he has spoken on social harmony, swadeshi and self-reliance, family values, the environment, security and the regulation of digital content.

Criticism and debate

In September 2015 he called, in an interview, for a "social review" of the reservation policy; opposition parties used the remark heavily in the Bihar election and the organisation later clarified that he had not called for ending reservations for backward communities. Critics argue that his conciliatory statements on minorities are not matched by the actions of some affiliated groups; supporters see them as evidence of an inclusive outlook. As the head of a large organisation with close links to the ruling party, his statements are closely scrutinised by supporters and opponents alike.

Read more

• 100 years of Vijayadashami addressesHistory & Deep-dives
• K. S. SudarshanHis predecessor

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