RSS chief Bhagwat's comment on Hindu population's 'rise' strokes controversy

Agra: Faced with a volley of complaints and demands from teachers at an event in Agra, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat told them he was not a “messenger” of the BJP-led central government and they should approach HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar. Addressing about 2,000 young couples on Sunday at another function, Bhagwat urged them to work for family values and help inculcate patriotic sentiments in children. On the first day of his visit on Saturday, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief took part in Vishwavidhyalayi Avam Mahavidhyalayi Shaikshik Sammelan where teachers from 11 west Uttar Pradesh districts participated. [caption id=“attachment_2781682” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. PTI[/caption] Bhagwat asked the teachers to be agents of change and strengthen national sentiments in the students. On the issue of declining Hindu population, Bhagwat said it was because of the current social environment. “Which law says that the population of Hindus’ should not rise? What is stopping them when population of others’ is rising. The issue is not related to the system. It is because the social environment is like this,” the RSS chief said. Bhagwat addressed young couples at the Agra College as part of his four-day stay in the city to interact with groups representing various social strata and professions. He came under controversy over his comments on Hindu population, with Congress and BSP criticising him for the remarks. Commenting on these remarks, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday said, “Woh Dhaarm ki hi khaate hain. Woh aur kya baat karenge? (He banks on religion only, what else can be expected from him?)” Azad, who was asked by reporters in Lucknow to comment on the RSS chief’s remarks, added, “In every statement Bhagwat talks of dividing (society). He should have talked about employment, price rise but he didn’t do so.” BSP chief Mayawati, while addressing a rally in Agra, also criticised Bhagwat for this comment on Hindu population. “The RSS chief tells Hindus to produce more than two children. I want to tell him: ‘you say produce more children, then ask Narendra Modi and central government if they will make arrangements for feeding them’,” she said. Addressing about 2,000 young couples on Sunday at another function, Bhagwat urged them to work for family values and help inculcate patriotic sentiments in children.