‘Ghar Wapsi’ efforts shouldbe intensified, says Bhagwat

Lucknow: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday said that efforts for "ghar wapsi" (reconversion to Hinduism) should be intensified and added that those who return to the Hindu fold must be "supported" and "cared for".Addressing a social harmony meeting at Saraswati Shishu Mandir in Nirala Nagar, Bhagwat asserted that Hindu society was required to become more organised and empowered, asserting that though there was "no threat" to the community, it was required to remain "vigilant".
The event was attended by representatives from various religious and social organisations, including Sikh, Buddhist and Jain communities, as well as groups such as the Ramakrishna Mission, ISKCON, Art of Living Foundation, and Arya Samaj.Bhagwat expressed concern over what he described as the declining population of Hindus, underscoring instances of forced or inducement-based religious conversions.The RSS boss advocated that Hindu families should have at least three children, citing scientists to claim that societies with an average fertility rate below three children per family risk eventual decline. He said the message should be communicated to newly married couples and added that marriage should be seen as a means to sustain creation, not merely for fulfilment of desire.Highlighting the issue of illegal infiltration, Bhagwat said infiltrators should be "detected and deported". "They should not be provided employment," he asserted.Stressing the need for strengthening social harmony, Bhagwat said that discrimination arises when harmony is absent. "We are all children of one nation and one motherland," he said, adding that human beings are essentially one. Bhagwat said that Sanatan philosophy promoted harmony and unity."We do not believe in eliminating opponents. There is one truth everywhere," he stressed, calling for understanding and practising the philosophy to end divisions.Highlighting the central role of women in family life, Bhagwat said that "matrushakti" (maternal power) was the foundation of the household. He said that while men traditionally earned income, women decided how resources were used.He categorically rejected the notion of women as weak, describing them as powerful and capable, calling for self-defence training for women. Comparing cultural perspectives, he said that while women in Western culture are often viewed primarily as wives, in India they are revered as mothers.Bhagwat expressed confidence that India would guide the world in the near future, saying many global problems have solutions rooted in Indian thought and tradition.He pitched for organising regular social harmony meetings at the local level to remove misunderstandings and discuss ways to shed regressive practices. He emphasised helping the weaker sections and fostering mutual trust.