Social Laws Need Public Buy-In, Says RSS Chief Bhagwat

Mohan Bhagwat emphasises ground-level acceptance for population policy, UCC to work effectively

 RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday stressed that transformative social laws cannot succeed through top-down implementation alone, calling instead for sustained public participation and democratic acceptance.

Speaking at an interactive session at JSS Mahavidyapeetha following a lecture on social harmony and national development, Bhagwat outlined why population control measures and the Uniform Civil Code would require careful calibration and widespread buy-in to avoid repeating past mistakes.

The RSS chief's comments come at a time when population policy remains contentious, and several states have moved toward implementing their own versions of a uniform civil code.

When forced measures backfire

Bhagwat recalled the coercive sterilisation campaigns during the Emergency period of the 1970s, which had generated significant public backlash and later contributed to political consequences. The lesson, he suggested, was clear: laws imposed without consent invite resistance rather than compliance.

"Any population policy needs to be framed considering demographic balance, women's education, empowerment and health concerns," Bhagwat said. Once such a framework is in place, implementation should proceed without discrimination, he added.

The RSS chief emphasised that the RSS operates as a social organisation, not a governing body, and therefore cannot implement such policies directly. The responsibility, he indicated, rests with governments and, more fundamentally, with society itself.

Piecemeal approach to civil code

On the Uniform Civil Code—a long-standing demand from the right wing—Bhagwat noted that some states have already initiated their own measures. He cited Uttarakhand as an example of a state that has moved toward implementation.

According to Bhagwat, such reforms are advancing gradually and may eventually see nationwide adoption. However, he acknowledged that democratic processes naturally move at their own pace, suggesting he is comfortable with a state-by-state approach rather than a centrally mandated one.

The caste question: behaviour over rhetoric

When asked about ending caste-based discrimination, Bhagwat offered a characteristically philosophical response: caste-based politics will fade only when society itself stops viewing people through a caste lens.

He urged citizens to practice equality in their daily conduct rather than merely speaking about it. This gap between rhetoric and practice, Bhagwat implied, has long hampered social progress.

The RSS chief highlighted the historical significance of inter-caste marriages and relations, citing a 1942 example from Maharashtra that had received backing from B.R. Ambedkar and M.S. Golwalkar, the RSS founder.

Religious paths, common destination

Discussing religious harmony, Bhagwat drew parallels between different faiths and natural geography. All religions ultimately pursue truth, he said, much like rivers that follow different courses but eventually converge in the sea.

He cautioned that religion should manifest in conduct, discipline and moral behaviour rather than become a flashpoint for conflict. The emphasis, he seemed to suggest, should be on shared values rather than doctrinal differences.