Mohan Bhagwat Challenges Historical Narratives at National Book Festival

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat refutes colonial narratives of disunity among Indians before British rule. He emphasizes India's ancient, interconnected nationhood, contrasting it with Western ideas. Addressing globalization, he speaks of India's global family concept and advocates for mastery over technology like AI for human betterment.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, speaking at the national book festival in Nagpur, challenged colonial narratives by claiming that Mahatma Gandhi's remarks about pre-British Indian disunity were misleading. He asserted that India's idea of 'rashtra' is deeply rooted and markedly different from Western notions of a nation-state.

Bhagwat emphasized the ancient and organic concept of Indian nationhood, which he says is fundamentally based on unity and interconnectedness rather than arrogance or division. He noted that excessive national pride has previously led to world conflicts, advocating instead for a sense of nationality that embraces broad cultural togetherness.

He addressed young writers on the inevitability of technological advances like AI, cautioning that mastery is vital to maintain human dignity. On globalization, Bhagwat highlighted India's long-held belief in 'vasudhaiva kutumbakam', proposing a global family rather than a mere market.

(With inputs from agencies.)