NEW DELHI : RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on June 10 highlighted the pressing need to address the ongoing conflict in Manipur, stressing that the state has been yearning for peace for the past year. Speaking at an event in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Bhagwat stated that the Manipur issue should be a top priority for resolution.

“It’s been a year since Manipur has been waiting for peace. The state remained peaceful for the last 10 years, but suddenly the gun culture increased again. It is important to resolve the conflict on priority,” Bhagwat stated. This marks his first public comment on the election results and the situation in Manipur.

Bhagwat criticized the election campaign strategies, noting that they often ignored the potential to escalate tensions between conflicting groups. He mentioned that even organizations like the RSS were involuntarily pulled into the conflict narrative. “During the campaigning, nobody took care to stay away from the propaganda that could increase the conflict between the two groups. Organizations like Sangh were also drawn into it,” he added.

Furthermore, Bhagwat lamented the lack of decorum in the election process, asserting that there is a certain dignity that should be maintained during elections, which was not observed in this case.

The RSS chief’s remarks come as a call to action for political leaders and organizations to prioritize the resolution of the conflict in Manipur, emphasizing the need for peace and stability in the region.

The Congress took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks expressing concern over peace eluding Manipur, saying that perhaps Bhagwat can prevail upon the “former RSS office-bearer” to go to the northeastern state.    

Manipur plunged into violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in May last year. Since then some 200 people have been killed, while thousands have been displaced following large-scale arson that has gutted homes and government buildings. Fresh violence has been reported from Jiribam over the past few days.

Bhagwat expressed concern over peace eluding Manipur even after one year and said the situation in the strife-torn state must be considered with priority.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “If not the ‘one-third’ Prime Minister’s conscience or the repeated demands of the people of Manipur, perhaps Bhagwat can prevail upon the former RSS office-bearer to go to Manipur.”

Addressing a gathering of RSS trainees at the concluding programme of the organisation’s ‘Karyakarta Vikas Varg- Dwitiya’ at the Dr. Hedgewar Smriti Bhavan premises in Reshimbagh in Nagpur, Bhagwat said conflict in various places and in society is not good.    

He emphasised the need to get over the election rhetoric and focus on the problems facing the nation.     “Manipur is waiting for peace for the last one year. There was peace in Manipur 10 years ago. It felt like gun culture had finished there. But the state has suddenly seen violence,” he said.    

“The situation in Manipur will have to be considered with priority. There is a need to get over election rhetoric and focus on problems facing the nation,” the RSS chief asserted.