RSS Centenary: Bhagwat Flags Inequality

At RSS centenary Vijayadashami, Bhagwat urges growth with resilience, equity, and climate prudence

NAGPUR | Oct 2, 2025: In his Vijayadashami address marking the RSS centenary, Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat framed the economy as being on an improving trajectory but warned that momentum alone should not breed complacency. He said the focus now must be on the quality and direction of growth rather than headline numbers.

He flagged a widening gap between rich and poor and cautioned against the concentration of economic power, describing today’s model as one that too easily enables exploitation. He argued that correcting these imbalances was essential to social stability as well as long-term prosperity.

Key quotes: 

Macro picture improving:

“Our situation has been improving as per the prevailing indicators.”  

Inequality & concentration risks:

“The widening gap between rich and poor, the concentration of economic power”  

Swadeshi, not autarky (interdependence ≠ compulsion):

“No country can survive in isolation. This dependence must not turn into compulsion.”  

US tariff shock:

“The new tariff policy implemented by the US was done keeping in mind the interest of their own. But everyone is affected by them.”  

Swadeshi & self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar):

“There is no substitute for ‘swadeshi’ and ‘swavalamban’.”  

Climate as an economic risk:

“The present situation of the Himalayas is ringing a warning bell.”  

Development & security nexus (post-Naxalism):

“Now that these obstacles have been removed, a comprehensive action plan is required to ensure justice, development, goodwill, empathy, and harmony in these regions.”  

Sentiment & enterprise:

“The enthusiasm among ordinary citizens to make our nation a global leader is clearly visible, especially among the younger generation.”