Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Chief Calls for Public Support on Population Control, UCC

MYSURU (Karnataka), May 7: Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday stressed that public cooperation and social awareness were crucial for the successful implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and population control measures, stating that laws alone could not bring lasting change without people’s participation.
Addressing an interaction session after delivering a lecture on “Social Harmony as a Catalyst for National Development” at JSS Mahavidyapeetha in Mysuru, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief underlined the importance of unity among communities and urged society to move beyond caste divisions and religious differences.
Bhagwat said caste-based politics continued because society itself remained attached to caste identities. According to him, political parties often use caste equations to secure votes when development and governance issues fail to influence the electorate.
“Political leaders focus on caste because society still gives importance to it. Once people rise above such divisions, caste based politics will naturally weaken,” he observed during the session.
Responding to questions related to the proposed Population Control Bill and the implementation of the UCC, Bhagwat clarified that the RSS was not involved in policymaking as it was a social organisation, but maintained that any major reform required public understanding and cooperation to succeed.
He said awareness campaigns and education were necessary before enforcing sensitive policies affecting society at large. Bhagwat added that policy frameworks become effective only when citizens willingly support and participate in them.
Referring to the Emergency era, Bhagwat recalled that aggressive population control measures introduced during that period had triggered widespread resentment among citizens and eventually led to political consequences for the ruling establishment.
He cautioned that forceful implementation of social policies could create distrust and resistance, emphasising instead the need for dialogue, gradual awareness and consensus-building.
The RSS chief also appealed for social harmony and mutual respect among different religious and social communities. He urged people to practise equality in everyday life through behaviour and conduct rather than limiting it to speeches and slogans.
Highlighting the role of social unity in national progress, Bhagwat said a strong and harmonious society was essential for sustainable development and collective growth.