Varna and caste systems are a thing of the past, says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), said on Friday that the concepts of ‘varna’ and caste “should be forgotten” because they are a thing of the past. Speaking at a book launch, Bhagwat said that everyone who cares about society should tell people that the ‘Varna’ and ‘Jaati’ (caste) system is a thing of the past.

“Concepts of ‘Varna’ and ‘Jaati’ (caste) should be forgotten… today if someone asks about it, everyone thinking in the interest of society should tell that ‘Varna’ and ‘Jaati’ (caste) system is a thing of the past and should be forgotten,” Bhagwat said.

The RSS chief further said, “Social equality was a part of the Indian tradition, but it was forgotten and this led to damaging consequences.”

“The previous generations made mistakes everywhere, and India was no exception,” he said. “There should not be any problem accepting those mistakes. And if you think that by accepting that our ancestors made mistakes they will become inferior, that won’t happen because everybody’s ancestors made mistakes,” Bhagwat added.

On Wednesday, the RSS chief stated that it is neither the Sangh’s nor Hindus’ nature to endanger minorities. “Self-defence and defence of our own become a duty for everyone against those who spread hatred, commit injustice and atrocity, and engage in acts of hooliganism and enmity towards society. ‘Neither threatens nor gets threatened’, this kind of Hindu society is the need of the present times. This is not anti-anybody. Sangh resolves to stand on the side of brotherhood, amity, and peace,” he said.