The Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), an organisation affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), on Sunday launched its ‘Aao Jadon Se Judein’ (Connect With Roots) campaign from Rajghat in Delhi. The campaign aims to promote brotherhood, shared heritage and social harmony among different religious communities.
The campaign was led by senior RSS national executive member and MRM chief patron Indresh Kumar. It was launched with the message “different faiths, one homeland, one Indian identity” and a stated goal of building a “hate-free India”.
Muslim Rashtriya Manch Campaign Focuses on Shared Heritage
The organisation said the campaign will focus on addressing what it described as growing social distance, mistrust and incidents of hatred between communities.
“The methods of worship, religious beliefs and traditions of people living in India may be different, but their motherland, national identity and shared heritage connect them with one another,” the MRM said in a statement.
The campaign is expected to include social outreach and dialogue over the coming days. Participants at the Rajghat programme said political discussions alone cannot resolve social tensions and that direct communication between communities is also necessary.
Representatives from social, academic and religious backgrounds called for strengthening the ideas of India and Indianness, while promoting peace and harmony.
Indresh Kumar Says Religion Does Not Change Indian Identity
Addressing the gathering, Indresh Kumar said people may follow different religions and have different methods of worship, but they share a common national identity.
He said people living in India have shared social and cultural connections for centuries and should focus on issues that bring communities together rather than those that create divisions.
“We were Hindustanis and we are Hindustanis. The test of this journey has to be faced by us every day, 24 hours a day,” Kumar said.
He added that Indianness should not remain limited to speeches but should be reflected in people’s behaviour, thinking and responsibilities towards society.
‘Know Your Ancestors and Heritage’
Explaining the purpose of the ‘Aao Jadon Se Judein’ campaign, Kumar urged people to learn about their ancestors, family history and genealogy, or shijra.
According to him, knowing where one’s ancestors lived and understanding their social and cultural background can strengthen a person’s connection with the country and society.
Kumar stressed that learning about one’s roots should not be used to disrespect another religion or community. Instead, he described it as a way to understand one’s own heritage while respecting the beliefs of others.
He also called for collective efforts to address issues such as communal violence, untouchability, pollution, illiteracy and unemployment by promoting dialogue, peace and brotherhood.
MRM Says Campaign Is Not About Religious Conversion
Kumar also rejected concerns that the ‘Connect With Roots’ campaign was linked to religious conversion.
He said the campaign’s objective was to help people understand their shared heritage, respect different faiths and strengthen national unity.
“The campaign is not about religious conversion,” Kumar said, while emphasising the need for people to understand their roots and shared history.
The MRM also urged people to participate in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ and ‘Ghar-Ghar Tiranga’ campaigns being observed between August 1 and 15.
Kumar said the national flag does not belong to any particular political party or religious community, but represents the shared identity of the country.
