MOUNT ABU, Mar 26: BJP patriarch L K Advani today said he has learnt from the RSS not to promote any wrongdoing and has never compromised with his principles.
Speaking at the 80th anniversary celebrations of Brahma Kumaris, a spiritual organisation, at its campus here, Advani said that he has learnt many things from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), including discipline and honesty, which helped mould his character.
He described the RSS, the ideological parent of the BJP, as “one of the good organisations” and stressed the need for upright conduct of the people working with such outfits.
“Since childhood I have been associated with an organisation which I respect a lot.
“I believe there are several good organisations in India and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is one of them. I am proud of it because I have got my education from the RSS as also qualities of discipline, honesty and idealism from it and that one should be upright in their conduct.”
He said that it was the RSS’ ideology to never promote wrongdoing.
“And if anyone engages in some wrong doing it should not be encouraged. These are small, little things but I believe, having imbibed them, I have been able to work for the society,” he said.
“I have, in my life and conduct, never compromised my principles,” said the 89-year-old former deputy prime minister, who had opposed Narendra Modi’s nomination as prime ministerial candidate by BJP for the 2014 Lok Sabha election.
Advani has since been marginalised in the party. He was moved out of the all-important Parliamentary Board and put in the largely-ceremonial ‘Margdarshak Mandal’ after Modi’s victory in Lok Sabha polls.
Recalling how he had seen the institution grow since its early days in Karachi, before the partition of the subcontinent, Advani said the Brahma Kumaris were a source of moral guidance for the world and people could learn honesty and discipline from them.
“Never compromise your nature. Don’t let your nature deteriorate,” he said.
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurien, actress Raveena Tandon, Dadi Hirdaya Mohini, additional head, and Dadi Ratan Mohini, joint head of the Brahma Kumaris, were present on the occasion.
Advani said people associated with such organisations should be upright in their conduct.
“He or she cannot do such thing, this person belongs to this group he cannot be engaged in such (wrong) activity, anyone who belongs to the RSS cannot engage in any wrongdoing. Such notion should be formed among everyone,” Advani said.
The BJP leader said he was not surprised when he saw his Rajya Sabha colleague Kurien here.
“I felt satisfied. I felt that similarly all those people who want to take India high and want the people to imbibe the qualties of nationalism and fill every citizen with qualities of honesty, discipline … if they learn from this organisation it would be better for the country.”
Stating that he was born in Karachi and is from Sindh region, now in Pakistan, Advani said, “I have been associated with the RSS from an early age. And I would want that anyone who wishes to work for the country should adopt the qualities of good conduct, honesty and devotion from this organisation (Brahmakumaris)”.
Speaking during the inaugural session of the 4-day event, he lauded the organisation for its work towards “spritual awakening” of the people around the world.
He heaped praise on Brahmakumaris chief Dadi Janki who recently turned 101 for leading one of the largest non-Government organisations in the world which is primarily managed by women.
“It is a matter of pride for us and it is no small achievement to manage such an organisation even at this age.
“Only those blessed by the divine can do it,” Advani told a congregation of thousands of people comprising Brahmakumaris followers.
Founded in 1937 in Hyderabad, Sindh, in pre-partition India and originally known as the Om Mandali, the group moved to its present location in Mount Abu, Rajasthan in 1950.
Once in India, members of the group set out to different parts of the country to share their spiritual knowledge and experiences with others. Gradually, meditation centres were opened in various cities.
Later, its service activities expanded and in 1954 a delegation went to Japan to take part in the World Religious Conference in Shimizu City, marking the start of its service activities outside India.
Today, the organisation claims to have more than 8,500 centres in 137 countries.
Several MPs, state legislators, industrialists and others are attending the event to mark the 80th anniversary of the Brahma Kumaris. (PTI)
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