Jaipur: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat voiced concerns over the widening gap between the rich and the poor, stating "Ameer ameer ho raha, gareeb gareeb ho rahe hai" (The rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer). He made these remarks while speaking at the Deendayal Smriti Lecture in Jaipur.

Bhagwat highlighted that this growing economic inequality is a serious issue demanding collective attention. He urged society to take action to correct this imbalance. Bhagwat's statement underscores the RSS's awareness of economic disparities and its call for societal efforts to address them.

During the lecture, Bhagwat emphasized the importance of 'Integral Humanism' or 'Ekatma Manavvad', a philosophy presented by Deendayal Upadhyaya that, according to Bhagwat, remains relevant even after 60 years. He described the essence of Integral Humanism as 'dharma,' clarifying that it does not refer to religion but to interconnectedness.

Bhagwat also touched upon the concept of inner happiness, suggesting that recognizing it leads to the realization that the world is interconnected. He noted that while the world seeks happiness through the body, mind, and intellect, it often lacks the understanding of how to achieve harmony among them, a knowledge that he believes India possesses.

Bhagwat has previously addressed issues of inequality and social disparities. In 2017, he called upon RSS members to eradicate untouchability, caste differences, and disparity, emphasizing that constitutional provisions should continue to be implemented until inequality is eliminated. He stated that it was unfortunate that casteism and untouchability were still prevalent in the country and that inequality needed to be eradicated.

Bhagwat's recent address in Jaipur also touched upon India's diversity, which he sees as a source of strength rather than conflict. He stated that despite the country's long-standing diversity in beliefs and practices, its plurality has always been a reason for celebration.

Furthermore, Bhagwat pointed out global inequality, noting that a small percentage of the world's population consumes a disproportionately large share of its resources. He also questioned whether increased access to medicines has necessarily translated to better health, suggesting that some illnesses may arise from the medicines themselves.