Fact Check: Media misquotes Mohan Bhagwat on usage of Brahmins in his speech

On Sunday RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat delivered a speech on the birth anniversary of Saint Ravidas. Several media reports had claimed that he had used Brahmin in his speech

New Delhi, Feb 07: A speech in Marathi by RSS chief, Mohan Bhagwat was misinterpreted by saying that he had said something about Brahmins.

Bhagwat was speaking at an event on Sunday to mark the birth anniversary of Saint Ravidas.

Certain news organisations however misinterpreted the word 'Pandit' for Brahmin. However Bhagwat did not use the word Brahmin at all. He used the word 'Pandit' which means scholar in Marathi.

New agency ANI had first tweeted while quoting Mohan Bhagwat as saying, " we also have a responsibility towards society. When everything is for society, how did one become higher, one lower, or different? God has always said that for me everyone is equal, there is no difference based on their caste or creed. But, the classification that the Pandits created - was wrong."

ANI then put out a correction and said that a mistake in translation had happened in its earlier tweet. The agency clarified by saying, "correction: Truth's responsibility towards society. When everything is for society, how did one become higher, one lower, or different? God has always said that for me everyone is equal, there is no difference based on their caste or creed. But, the classification that the Pandits created - was wrong."

The message that Bhagwat was giving out was to unite the Hindus. RSS' all-India publicity head, Sunil Ambekar shared a video and clarified what Bhagwat had actually said. "The truth is that He resides in all beings. Hence, whatever His name, the merit being addressed is the same and the respect is also the same. There is a sense of belongingness about everyone and none are high or low. On the basis of scriptures, scholars talk about caste-based highs and lows. They are all lies," Ambekar said while clarifying what Bhagwat had actually meant.

What Bhagwat said:

Mohan Bhagwat while speaking about Saint Ravidas had said, "seeing all the neglect, it came to Saint Ravidas' mind that he should find the truth. He asked what is the path of eternal happiness. Saint Ravidas wondered, if the path really was this way. He decided not to go by what he had earlier heard and have a first-hand experience instead. When Saint Ravidas attained proximity to Swami Ramanand, he realised that truth is God."

Bhagwat further explained how Saint Ravidas was by deceit called by Sikandar Lodi and asked him to explain to him what is his religion. Saint Ravidas told him about his Dharma. To this Lodi relied saying, 'your religion is useless. Our Islam is better than this and hence you should become a Muslim.' None had any grudge against Muslims. Even Saint Ravidas did not have hatred."

"Saint Ravidas also told Lodi that whether it is Hindus or Muslims, the truth is one and all are children of God. The truth is the same, but that does not mean that one has to change his belief. Stay firm with your own faith. All the paths are going to the same place. Choose yours according to your own nature, whether the path is good or bad is not the matter. What matters is your nature," Bhagwat also said while recalling the meeting between Saint Ravidas and Lodi.

"Saint Ravidas told Lodi that he will never give up his Dharma. He told Lodi that the religion of the Vedas is the best and even better than Islam," Bhagwat narrated.

Hence it is clear that Bhagwat never mentioned Brahmin in his speech. When he said, 'Pandit,' he was referring to scholars.

Who is Saint Ravidas:

Saint Ravidas was a 15th-century Indian poet and saint. He is one of the founding figures of the Bhakti movement in India and was referred as a spiritual teacher and poet. He advocated for social equality and rejected the caste system. He is also considered as the patron saint of the Dalit community and his teachings continue to influence the lives of millions of people in India. His poems and devotional songs are widely popular and are an integral part of the Bhakti tradition.