At the World Hindu Congress (WHC) in Thailand’s capital, RSS Secretary General Dattatreya Hosabale said there’s an “urgent need for improved coordination among various Hindu organizations globally.” He said that the diversity within the Hindu community has, in many instances, resulted in disunity, hindering effective representation.
Hosabale highlighted the proliferation of associations and forums worldwide, organized along linguistic, sectarian, caste, sub-caste, and guru lines, each focusing on its specific objectives. However, he cautioned that amidst this diversity, the broader objective of unity among Hindus should not be overlooked.
“In this diversity of organizations, Hindu is lost. The larger objective should not be forgotten. Many a time, the diversity of Hindu society has led to disunity in many places,” said Hosabale.
He called for “enhanced collaboration” among Hindu organizations, urging them to address contradictions and differences to present a united voice for the Hindu community.
“Hindu organizations will have to share information, coordinate, cooperate, collaborate among themselves, and avoid duplication. Duplication will lead nowhere,” he said.
Hosabale identified challenges such as proselytization, the suppression of the human rights of Hindus, and the absence of departments dedicated to Hindu studies and Indian languages in Western universities. He stressed that these challenges could be effectively tackled through better organization and collaboration.
The WHC, a quadrennial event, commenced with a ceremonial conch blowing by Swami Vigyanananda, the founder, and global chairman of the World Hindu Foundation. Delegates from over 60 countries are participating in the three-day congress.
The WHC renounced the term “Hinduism,” saying that it reflected oppressive and discriminatory connotations. Instead, the congress embraced the terms Hindutva and Hindu Dharma to refer to the “eternal” religion, adopting a declaration to this effect.
Earlier in the day, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, addressing the gathering, said that India would showcase the path to happiness and satisfaction to a world grappling with experiments in materialism, communism, and capitalism.
He called upon Hindus worldwide to connect with each other and engage with the world collaboratively.
