Love jihad concerns must be addressed within families first, says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said that attempts to prevent cases described as “love jihad” should begin within families, stressing open communication, awareness among women and a collective response from society.

Speaking at the “Stri Shakti Samvad” programme, a discussion focused on women’s role in society, Bhagwat said the issue cannot be tackled only through external measures and requires deeper introspection at the household level, according to an official RSS statement.

Emphasis on family dialogue and awareness

Bhagwat said families must reflect on how a young woman can be influenced by a stranger, pointing to the lack of regular dialogue within homes as a key vulnerability.

According to the RSS release, he outlined three essential levels of action. These include continuous communication within families, inculcating awareness among girls and teaching self-protection, and <u>effective action against those who commit crimes</u>.

He added that social organisations must remain alert, and that society as a whole should respond collectively so that such issues are addressed in a sustained manner.

Role of women in society and culture

Highlighting women’s central role, Bhagwat said religion, culture and social order remain secure because of women. He stressed the need for empowerment, ideological orientation and greater participation of women in both family and social life.

“The time has passed when women were confined to homes in the name of security,” he said, adding that families and society progress through the combined efforts of men and women, making the awakening of both essential.

Broader social and mental health concerns

Bhagwat also spoke about mental health within families, saying it is important that no family member feels isolated. He cautioned against placing unrealistic expectations on children, noting that a meaningful life matters more than conventional definitions of success.

He further said India is emerging from mental slavery, and that the world is increasingly looking towards the country with expectations.

Women’s participation in national life

Noting that women constitute nearly half of India’s population, Bhagwat called for greater efforts to involve more women in social and national work. He said women play a critical role as caregivers and are essential in maintaining balance, sensitivity and order within families and society.

Senior RSS functionaries including Madhya Bharat prant sanghchalak Ashok Pandey and vibhag sanghchalak Somkant Umalakar were present at the event.

Why this matters now

The remarks come at a time when women’s safety, social harmony and mental well-being are central to public discourse. Bhagwat’s comments underline a view within the RSS that social change must begin at the family level, alongside institutional and legal responses.

What to watch next

• Reactions from political parties and women’s groups to the RSS chief’s remarks.

• Whether the discussion translates into community-level awareness programmes.

• Broader policy and social debates on women’s safety, family engagement and mental health.