On Vijayadashami 2018 (18 October 2018), Mohan Bhagwat gave the annual address at the gathering in Reshimbagh, Nagpur, where the chief guest was Kailash Satyarthi. This page summarises what was reported about it.
The day
- Date: 18 October 2018
- Place: Reshimbagh, Nagpur
- Address by: Mohan Bhagwat
- Chief guest: Kailash Satyarthi
What the address covered
In the last address before the 2019 general election, Bhagwat asked the government to pass a law clearing the way for a Ram temple in Ayodhya, saying the Supreme Court case was being needlessly delayed. Reports said he added that an ordinance could be used if needed. He said Sabarimala devotees should have been consulted before the Supreme Court verdict on women's entry, and accused 'urban Maoists' of spreading falsehood and hatred. Responding to the Rafale controversy, he said India should not depend on others for its security. He described Hindutva as the basis of Bharat's acceptance of diversity. Chief guest Kailash Satyarthi urged volunteers to work against child trafficking and for the education of poor children.
As reported
The government should clear the path for construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya
Context
The call for legislation on the Ram temple marked a shift from the RSS's earlier position of waiting for the Supreme Court.
How sure is this?
This account is supported by two or more independent sources, listed below.
In the archive
Sources & copyright status
- Gulf News, 'Govt should bring law to build Ram temple: RSS chief' (Oct 2018)
- India.com, 'RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Attacks Pakistan in Vijayadashmi Speech, Touches Upon Sabarimala And Ram Temple' (18 Oct 2018)
- Organiser, 'Sarsanghachalak Carved out a Clear Path of Action and Ideas on Vijayadashami' (22 Oct 2018)
- Historical facts: not subject to copyright. Quotations are short extracts as reported in the sources cited; speeches are summarised in our own words.
- Commentary and translations on this page: original to The Hindu Book. © The Hindu Book, all rights reserved.
The Hindu Book is an independent educational platform. It is not affiliated with any political party, religious organisation or movement, and nothing here implies endorsement by any organisation. This page is published for education and review. If you hold rights in any material quoted here, or believe a source is misrepresented, please write to [email protected].