NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday explained the purpose of “lathi training” imparted to its cadres. He said the motive was to instil bravery in the paintings and that the skill was not meant to be displayed publicly.
The RSS does not train its cadres to use the ‘lathi’ or stick for fights or public displays, but because it instills courage and teaches firmness, the saffron organization chief said.
“A person who wields the lathi develops ‘veer vritthi’ (sense of bravery) and is fearless. Lathi training teaches steadfastness in crises and inspires one to walk the path with resolve, patience and unwavering strength,” he added. .
Speaking at the ‘Swar Shatak Malwa’ program in Indore, Bhagwat said Sangh volunteers, driven by patriotism, have created traditional tunes and martial music using various instruments.
The goal of this effort, he explained, was to ensure that the country was not deprived of artistic traditions found around the world.
“Listening to Indian music redeems a person from worldly attractions and develops a tendency to do good deeds, which brings joy in abundance. Indian music and traditional music teach harmony, discipline and coexistence,” he said.
This comes days after Bhagwat received dissent from seers for his mandir-masjid comment in which he had warned against “an unacceptable trend of aspiring Hindu leaders fanning disputes between temples and mosques at various sites”.
“When the issue of religion arises, it is up to the religious gurus to decide. And whatever they decide will be accepted by the Sangh and VHP,” AKSS general secretary Swami Jitendranand Saraswati had said.
