Nagpur, Sept 12: Mohan Bhagwat, head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), on Friday criticized tariffs imposed on India, calling them a selfish attempt to hinder the country’s growth.
Speaking at the 7th foundation day of Brahma Kumaris Vishwa Shanti Sarovar in Nagpur, he questioned why nations “seven seas away” fear India’s rise, despite no direct conflict.
Without naming any country, Bhagwat suggested such measures stem from global apprehension about India’s growing strength.
This comes as the US, under President Donald Trump, slapped a 50% tariff on Indian goods, including a 25% punitive duty for India’s Russian oil purchases, which India has labeled as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.”
“Such measures are the result of a self-centred approach. People in the world are afraid of what might happen to them if India grows stronger and of what their own position will be. That’s why tariffs have been imposed on Indian goods,” he said.
Bhagwat said human beings and countries will continue to face problems unless they understand their real self. “If we show compassion and overcome fear, we will have no enemies,” he said.
The RSS chief said if humans change their attitude from “me” to “us”, all issues will be resolved.
“The world today is looking for solutions, as it has been unable to find a way forward due to its incomplete vision. It is impossible for them to find the way because of their ‘only me’ approach,” he said,” he added.
Bhagwat said India is capable of finding solutions to the world’s problems and showing the way forward.
The RSS chief said India is great and that Indians must strive to be great as well. He said India is big and it wants to grow bigger.
Bhagwat said Indians embody a strong sense of belongingness and remain happy and content even in times of scarcity.
“There should be no scarcity, but if it exists, it will change when the time comes. Yet, even in hardship and sorrow, people here remain satisfied because of this spirit of belongingness,” he said.
Praising the Brahma Kumaris, a women-led spiritual movement, he said RSS works like them to awaken inner consciousness.
