Before polls, beware of divisive forces: Bhagwat

Some destructive people calling themselves "cultural Marxists" and "woke" are using their influence in the media and academia to disrupt social cohesion and promote conflict, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Tuesday, as he told people to remain vigilant against divisive forces ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

- Pradip Kumar Maitra

In his annual Vijayadashami speech in Nagpur, Bhagwat also touched upon the violence in Manipur, India's successful G20 Summit, the shower of medals at the recently concluded Asian Games, and the historic touchdown of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon. "There are some people in the world and in India too, who do not want India to stand [on its own]. Hence they try to create discrimination in society... [And attempt] to break the constructed collective of the society, create separation and conflict," Bhagwat said.

"These destructive, all-devouring forces call themselves cultural Marxists or woke, or the awakened ones. They are opposed to all orderliness and morality, beneficence, culture, dignity and restraint in the world...they reward, promote and spread anarchy and indiscretion," Bhagwat added in his speech in Hindi.