As India celebrated Dussehra and Vijayadashami festival on Tuesday, top national leaders joined festivities by attending Ram Lila events, performed ‘shastra pooja’ and addressed huge gatherings of devotees. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a Dussehra celebration in Dwarka, Delhi, said, “we have to keep in mind today that this event is not just the burning of the effigy of demons, but it should symbolize the burning of every deformity which caused deterioration in social harmony. Let this be the burning of those forces which are trying to divide Mother India in the name of casteism and regionalism. This should be the burning of those ideas which propagate selfishness and not India’s progress.” Modi also spoke about the ongoing construction of Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya, and described it as a “symbol of victory of patience of Indians after centuries of waiting”. He said, the next Ramnavami will be celebrated with religious fervour in the newly built Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya next year. Modi also asked every Indian to take 10 vows like saving water, promoting digital transactions, ensuring cleanliness, vocal for local products, making quality goods, explore India before visiting foreign locales, promote natural farming, adopt use of millets, practise fitness and and finally, raise the social status of at least one poor family. Hours earlier, in Nagpur, while addressing the traditional Vijayadashami rally, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat launched a scathing attack on what he called “cultural Marxists and woke people” describing them as self-centred, deceitful and discriminatory. These forces, Bhagwat said, are using their influence in academia and media to undermine India’s education and culture with the aim to disrupt social harmony and promote conflict. Bhagwat mentioned about next year’s Lok Sabha elections and asked people to choose, what he called, “the best available option” for ensuring national unity and stability, and “not to be swayed by provocations or fall prey to machinations of divisive elements”. The RSS chief also spoke about the ethnic violence in Manipur and alleged that “some elements are trying to spread hatred between Meitei and Kuki communities, which have been living peacefully for decades”. Bhagwat said, time has come for India to make the world aware about its centuries old culture, philosophy and traditions, and show the world the right path. “India’s culture”, Bhagwat said, “is inclusive, it takes everybody along, Lord Ram is our ideal, and the time has now come for ensuring world peace.” He asked all Indians to celebrate in homes and temples when the Ram Janmabhoomi temple will be consecrated in Ayodhya on January 22. Bhagwat also spoke about the conflicts going on in Ukraine, Israel and other places and said, “the world is facing crisis due to fundamentalism and ego caused by religious bigotry. In all these conflicts, the root cause is clash of interests and religious fundamentalism. The world has no solution to these conflicts and expects India to show the right way out.” The issues raised by Prime Minister Modi and RSS Chief Bhagwat in their speeches need to be pondered over carefully. Cruelty and barbarism in the name of religion must be condemned by all. Modi spoke about the true meaning of Ram Rajya, where all people live in peace. He also spoke about the joy of Indians when Chandrayaan landed on the Moon. Bhagwat also spoke about peace and patience, and condemned religious bigotry. He explained how India’s rich heritage holds the key to solution of some of the most vexing problems being faced across the world. There was another interesting development. At a pro-Palestine rally in Hyderabad, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi appealed to Prime Minister Modi to speak to Israel so that humanitarian assistance could be provided to Palestinians in war-torn Gaza. Owaisi suggested that India must take an initiative to create a civilian corridor so that innocent Palestinians can leave Gaza peacefully, and food, water, medicines could be sent to people trapped there. It is nice to hear Owaisi saying that India can play a big role in Israel-Hamas conflict, but the sad part is that Owaisi did not say a word about the cruelty and barbarity perpetrated by Hamas in Israel. All the Muslim leaders on the dais spoke about Islam, asked Muslims of the world to unite, but did not utter a word about barbaric murders committed in the name of religion. On the other hand, Bhagwat appealed to RSS volunteers to shun religious intolerance, and not to be swayed by those trying to divide people in the name of caste and religion. I think, RSS should send across a message appealing to Owaisi and other Muslim clerics not to remain silent on the massacres carried out by Hamas terrorists. India should help the Palestinians by sending food and medicines, but at the same time, it must condemn those indulging in massacres, gang rapes and kidnappings. This is the need of the hour. This is true Indian culture, and the big powers of the world will agree.