Nagpur/Bengaluru: RSS supremo Mohan Bhagwat was bestowed with an honorary doctorate for his "contribution to indigenous cattle and its conservation" on Thursday by the Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University.
RSS spokesperson Rajesh Padmar said the D.Litt honour has been given to Bhagwat for his “letters and research” on “Gaushalas and cow urine products having medicinal value”.
“With his unique qualities like intellect, determination, dedication and cohesiveness, he reached to the highest position of a very important social organisation, which has laid foundation of staunch patriotism, cultural heritage and nationalism and the great Indian principle of ‘vasudhaiva kutumbakam’,” the citation said.
Local daily Nagpur Today said the doctorate for Bhagwat was for “showing that the economy (cost-effectiveness) of gaushalas is not based on milk, but products derived from cow urine and dung such as ‘panchamrut’ and ayurvedic medicines”.
The doctorate was given at MAFSU’s eighth convocation, an event attended by Governor Vidyasagar Rao and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Nagpur is also the city that is home to the headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) that Bhagwat heads.
But not everyone seems happy with the latest laurel coming the way of the RSS Sarsangchalak, who has an undergraduate degree in veterinary science.
Academic Ramesh Joshi suggested the doctorate had been conferred on Bhagwat for non-academic reasons. "As an educationist, I would say that this degree has got nothing to do with research. I will not comment whether it is politically motivated or not, but certainly, the issuance of the degree has got nothing to do with any kind of information (research). It's an honorary degree,” Joshi told News18.
The Congress party also termed it a politically motivated degree.
“I think this doctorate degree has been given to him because there was some kind of a political influence. This is a deliberate attempt to again polarise the situation in the country,” said Congress spokesperson Charan Singh Sapra.
Bhagwat had earlier completed a Bachelor’s degree from the Government Veterinary College and had enrolled for a Masters programme in Veterinary Pathology, but dropped out of this course in 1975.
"Dr Mohanji Bhagwat is not only a renowned veterinarian but also an eminent personality in the field of social service…
With his unique qualities like intellect, determination, dedication and cohesiveness, he reached to the highest position of a very important social organisation, which has laid foundation of staunch patriotism, cultural heritage and nationalism and the great Indian principle of ‘vasudhaiva kutumbakam.’..the citation read.
"Hon’ble Dr Mohanji Bhagwat has rendered remarkable service in the field of conservation of indigenous cattle and enrichment of dairy sector. He believes that the development of rural family in a village is the key towards national economic progress and thus advocates the development of the nation through agriculture and animal husbandry development at the village level. He further observes that the modern science realises the importance of indigenous cattle and their conservation which helps in organic farming and can be an important medium of strengthening our society. He records that the conservation fo cattle is envisaged in our noble Constitution," the citation added.
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