Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday, August 29, said that a Hindu who believes there should be no Muslims in India would no longer remain a Hindu.
Bhagwat made the remarks while addressing the “One World: One Humanity Faith Leaders’ Summit” in the United States, where he spoke about religious diversity, Hinduism and the RSS’s vision of humanity.
Bhagwat Says India Has Given Shelter to All Communities
Speaking about India’s history of religious diversity, Bhagwat said people belonging to different faiths have lived in the country and that India has traditionally provided shelter to those facing persecution elsewhere.
“By tradition, Bharat has given shelter to everybody. Those who could not find a safe place in the world came to Bharat, where they found their place,” he said.
The RSS chief said his organisation believes that humanity is one despite differences in religion and culture.
“We as RSS think, because we have this knowledge that world humanity is one, it is our duty to go all over the world and tell everybody that, in spite of diversities, we are one,” Bhagwat said.
‘That Is Not Hindutva’
Bhagwat also recalled questions he had received from Muslims about the RSS’s idea of a Hindu Rashtra and whether Muslims would be asked to leave India.
“Muslim brothers asked me a question: You are a Hindu organisation, you see Hindu Rashtra, what about us Muslims? Would you drive us out?” he said.
“I said, no, that is not Hindutva. If any Hindu thinks that there should be no Muslims in Bharat, he will not remain Hindu,” Bhagwat added.
He further stressed the importance of collective identity over individual interests.
“Where there is ‘me’ and ‘mine’, there is no solution. ‘We’ and ‘ours’ is the solution,” he said.
Bhagwat Highlights RSS Service Activities
Bhagwat also spoke about the RSS’s service activities and said its volunteers do not discriminate while helping people.
“We (RSS) are serving. While serving, we don’t see discrimination. Whoever is in need, we are serving,” he said.
According to Bhagwat, around 1.3 lakh service projects are being carried out by RSS volunteers with support from society.
“They served everywhere and served equally,” he said.
RSS Chief on Global Outreach Tour
Bhagwat arrived in the US on Tuesday as part of the RSS’s global outreach programme during its centenary year. His tour also includes Canada and the United Kingdom.
During his visit to the US, Bhagwat has met members of the Indian diaspora, Indian-American business leaders and community representatives. He is also scheduled to address a gathering of around 5,000 people at Madison Square Garden in New York.
The RSS chief also visited the Bhakti Centre in New York and paid tribute to Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Indian spiritual teacher who founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
