Partition – Mohan Bhagwat Calls 1947 Migrants Symbols of Courage and Faith

Partition –  Historical memory and value-based education were among the key themes raised by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat during a programme in Nagpur on Wednesday.

Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, said people who moved to India from Pakistan after the Partition of 1947 should not be described merely as refugees. He said they represented courage, sacrifice and determination, having left behind homes, livelihoods and family assets to choose India and their religious identity.

Remarks at Sindhu Education Society event

Bhagwat was speaking at the 75th Foundation Day programme of the Sindhu Education Society in Nagpur. The event focused on the experiences of families affected by Partition and the role of education in shaping future generations.

He said many families who arrived in India after the creation of Pakistan had built their lives over several generations before being forced to leave. According to Bhagwat, their decision to come to India was not driven by financial opportunity or professional ambition, but by their attachment to the country and their faith.

‘Displaced, but not defined by displacement’

Describing the use of the word “refugee” as inappropriate in this context, Bhagwat said those who migrated after Partition had faced displacement but should be remembered for their struggle rather than their loss.

He referred to them as people who fought through difficult circumstances with a sense of commitment to their motherland and religious beliefs. Bhagwat said the division of the country was a collective setback in the effort to preserve a united India, rather than the failure of any one group.

He added that many migrants chose Bharat because they believed they would be able to follow their religious practices without fear.

Message on facing adversity

Bhagwat also spoke about the importance of responding to hardship with effort and resolve. He said people should not surrender to difficult situations or consider themselves powerless because of fate.

According to him, those who continue working to overcome challenges are more likely to succeed, while those who withdraw from adversity may accept defeat before making an attempt. His remarks highlighted perseverance as an important quality for individuals and communities facing uncertain circumstances.

Education should build character, he says

Turning to education, the RSS chief said learning should not be limited to preparing students for jobs or careers. He said educational institutions should also help students develop moral judgment, responsibility and a commitment to society.

Bhagwat said value-based education enables young people to understand the difference between right and wrong. He noted that such learning does not come only from books or classroom lessons, but also from the conduct of teachers and the values they demonstrate in daily life.

He said educators have an important responsibility in helping students become thoughtful and responsible citizens.

Focus on social welfare

Bhagwat said the broader purpose of education is to create good human beings who contribute positively to society. He stressed that academic achievement and professional success should be accompanied by values that encourage service, empathy and social responsibility.

The programme marked 75 years of the Sindhu Education Society, which has been associated with education and community development in Nagpur. Bhagwat’s address connected the memories of Partition-affected families with a wider call for resilience, cultural confidence and character-building through education.