Partition migrants were 'displaced' not 'refugees', says RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat
Nagpur, July 2
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday said that those who migrated to India during the Partition after leaving behind generations of wealth, property, businesses and farmland should not be called "refugees" but "displaced persons", asserting that they were "struggling warriors" who chose their motherland and faith over material possessions.
Addressing the 75th year celebration of Sindhu Education Society in Nagpur, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief said the term "refugee" was wrongly used for those who came to India after Partition.
"They had left behind generations of accumulated wealth, property, businesses and farms. They were displaced, but they were not refugees. They came here out of love for their motherland and their faith. They were struggling warriors," Bhagwat said.
He said those families did not choose careers or wealth, but instead chose the nation and their religion, adding that circumstances change with time but values remain constant.
Bhagwat also said politics often breeds jealousy when someone succeeds, remarking that "the character of politics is such that when someone does good, there are always people who become jealous."
Speaking on education, he said that education that helps earn a livelihood is important but not mandatory for success, adding that many people have become successful without formal education and later employed highly educated individuals. He said the real purpose of education is to develop wisdom and values, with learning beginning at home.
Urging people to remain resilient in the face of adversity, Bhagwat said one should never give up before circumstances or destiny and should continue striving despite setbacks. Referring to the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, he said perseverance and courage ultimately lead to success. He added that the true purpose of human life is to live for others and to inspire goodness through one's actions rather than merely preaching it.
Concluding his address, the RSS chief said that if we are to give an 'Aim in Life' to the entire human race, it is this: do not live for yourself, live for your own. Live with integrity yourself and teach integrity to everyone else--not by preaching, but by your actions. This is considered the true way of life in our culture.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I appreciate the sentiment, but words like 'refugee' or 'displaced' don't change the trauma these families went through. My great-aunt still tears up when she talks about leaving Lahore. Instead of debating terminology, shouldn't we focus on preserving their stories and ensuring the next generation remembers the sacrifices? Just my two paise. 🤔
Bhagwat ji makes a valid point about how these families inspired others through their resilience. But I wish the RSS would also acknowledge that many of these 'warriors' faced discrimination in their new homes. It's one thing to praise their sacrifice and another to actually support them practically. Actions speak louder than words, bhai!
As a Sindhi myself, I feel a mix of emotions reading this. Yes, we were displaced, but calling us 'warriors' feels a bit too romanticized. My dad always says: 'We didn't choose to leave, we were forced out.' But I also get what Bhagwat ji means about not letting the label of refugee define us. It's complicated, yaar.
Good speech overall, but I find it ironic that the RSS chief talks about 'living for others' while his organization has historically created divisions. Maybe they should start by living for all Indians equally, not just picking and choosing who counts as a 'true patriot'. Just saying, namaste 👋
I'm from the US but have Indian colleagues who shared their family partition stories. The distinction between 'refugee' and 'displaced' seems semantic to me - either way these people lost everything.
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