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Bhagwat’s appeal for Hindus to have at least three children placed demography at the centre of his message
Bhagwat’s call to accelerate ‘ghar wapsi’ efforts—bringing people back into the Hindu fold—signals continuity in the organisation’s ideological outreach. File pic/PTI
By urging Hindus to have at least three children and asserting that Muslims in India share the same civilisational roots, Mohan Bhagwat’s Lucknow visit sparked national attention. But beyond the headline remarks, the RSS chief’s two-day engagement in the Uttar Pradesh capital carried deeper social, ideological and political signals.
During his February 17-18 visit, Bhagwat participated in a nearly two-and-a-half-hour social harmony meeting at Saraswati Shishu Mandir in Nirala Nagar, interacting with representatives from diverse communities. The outreach appeared designed to reinforce the RSS’s long-term narrative of social cohesion while simultaneously reasserting key ideological positions.
Civilisational Identity and Ghar Wapsi
One of the most discussed statements from the visit was Bhagwat’s assertion that Muslims living in India are not outsiders and did not come from Arabia, but share the same ancestral and civilisational roots. At the same time, his call to accelerate “ghar wapsi” efforts—bringing people back into the Hindu fold—signals continuity in the organisation’s ideological outreach.
Demographic Anxiety as Cultural Strategy
Bhagwat’s appeal for Hindus to have at least three children placed demography at the centre of his message. Referring to the current fertility replacement rate of 2.1, he said that societies with fewer than three children on average risk long-term decline. By linking family size to cultural continuity, the RSS chief reinforced a narrative that demographic balance is tied to the future of society.
Hardline Stance on Infiltration
On illegal immigration, Bhagwat’s “detect, delete and deport” formulation highlighted a firm position. He stated that infiltrators should not be provided employment, aligning his remarks with broader national debates on border security and citizenship.
Caste, Law and Social Reform
Despite strong messaging on identity and demography, Bhagwat repeatedly stressed social harmony. He acknowledged that caste divisions continue to fragment society and said eliminating caste-based discrimination is the responsibility of every individual and community.
On the controversy surrounding UGC guidelines, he maintained that laws made by the government must be followed and, if flawed, changed through constitutional means. He cautioned against turning policy disagreements into social conflicts, reinforcing a preference for coordination over confrontation.
Cultural Assertion in Everyday Life
Bhagwat encouraged families to adopt traditional practices—signing in Hindi, wearing indigenous attire, planting tulsi outside homes, and preferring “Swagatam” over “Welcome”. These suggestions point to everyday cultural assertion rather than solely political mobilisation, embedding ideology within daily life.
Strategic Messaging in UP, Say Experts
Political analysts believe the visit must be seen in the broader context of Uttar Pradesh’s evolving political landscape. Dr Shashikant Pandey, Head of the Department of Political Science at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, said Bhagwat’s remarks reflect a calibrated blend of ideological consolidation and social outreach.
“On the surface, the visit was about social harmony. But the themes he touched upon—demography, infiltration, caste unity, and civilisational confidence—are politically significant. They shape public discourse and influence long-term electoral narratives, especially in a state like Uttar Pradesh,” Dr Pandey said.
He added that by combining calls for unity with strong identity-based messaging, the RSS chief struck a dual tone. “The strategy appears to be balancing assertive cultural positioning with inclusive language on social cohesion. This helps maintain ideological clarity while broadening outreach,” he explained.
February 19, 2026, 07:00 IST
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