Mumbai

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said that engaging in disputes is not a part of India’s cultural character, asserting that the nation’s tradition has always centred on fraternity and collective harmony.

Speaking at the National Book Festival in Nagpur, Bhagwat said India’s understanding of nationhood is fundamentally different from Western interpretations.

“We do not have any argument with anyone. Having a dispute is not in our country’s nature. Being together and fostering fraternity is our tradition,” he said, adding that other parts of the world evolved through conflict.

He claimed that Western political thinking often rejects differing ideas as opposing “isms”.
According to him, India’s concept of ‘rashtra’ — a civilisation-based idea of nationhood — has existed since ancient times, and does not align with “nationalism” as defined in Western discourse.

Bhagwat said that excessive pride in nationhood in the West contributed to two world wars, while India’s sense of identity evolved through interconnectedness among people and coexistence with nature.

“We are all brothers as children of Bharat Mata. Religion, language, food habits, traditions or states do not divide us. Despite diversity, we remain united — that is the culture of our motherland.”

The RSS chief also stressed the importance of converting knowledge into wisdom, saying true fulfilment comes from helping others, not from temporary success.

During an interaction with young writers, Bhagwat said technological change — including artificial intelligence (AI) — is inevitable, but must remain under human control.

“AI should be used for the benefit of mankind, to make humans better,” he said.

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Asked about the impact of globalisation on language and culture, Bhagwat said the real era of globalisation is yet to arrive and will be led by India. He said India’s civilisational idea of “vasudhaiva kutumbakam” (the world is one family) will shape a future where globalisation is driven not by markets but by human connectedness.