On Vijayadashami 2019 (8 October 2019), Mohan Bhagwat gave the annual address at the gathering in Reshimbagh, Nagpur, where the chief guest was Shiv Nadar. This page summarises what was reported about it.
The day
- Date: 8 October 2019
- Place: Reshimbagh, Nagpur
- Address by: Mohan Bhagwat
- Chief guest: Shiv Nadar (founder, HCL)
What the address covered
Bhagwat said 'lynching' was a Western construct that should not be used in the Indian context to defame the country, while urging everyone to stay within the law and maintain harmony, PTI reported. He praised the government's revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, warned of vested interests opposed to a strong India, and called for better border and coastal security. He described Indian democracy as rooted in the country's own traditions and said the economic slowdown would be overcome. Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and V. K. Singh and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attended.
As reported
Lynching itself is a western construct and one shouldn't use it in the Indian context to defame the country
Are these incidents not mob- lynching?
Context
The lynching remark drew criticism. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said Muslims, Dalits and Hindus had all been victims of mob lynching, cited the 1984 and 2002 riots, and accused Bhagwat of lacking faith in democracy and Ambedkar's ideals.
How sure is this?
This account is supported by two or more independent sources, listed below.
In the archive
Sources & copyright status
- India TV (with PTI inputs), 'RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on lynching: Western construct, should not be used to defame India' (8 Oct 2019)
- The Tribune, 'All eyes on RSS chief's address' (7 Oct 2019)
- The Week, 'Owaisi slams Bhagwat over statement on lynching' (9 Oct 2019)
- The Wire, critical report on the 2019 address
- 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].