RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday emphasized the need for inclusivity and harmony in India, while taking a veiled dig at aspiring Hindu leaders stirring up “Ram-temple-like” disputes across the country. Speaking at a lecture series in Pune on the theme of “Vishwaguru Bharat,” Bhagwat stressed India’s pluralistic ethos and the importance of creating a model society for the world.
Highlighting India’s cultural diversity, Bhagwat pointed out the inclusive practices of institutions like Ramakrishna Mission, which observes Christmas. He remarked, “Only we can do this because we are Hindus,” underscoring India’s unique tradition of harmony.
“We have been living in harmony for a long time. If we want to provide this harmony to the world, we need to create a model of it,” he said, urging restraint from stoking unnecessary disputes. Bhagwat noted that while the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was a unifying act rooted in faith, using similar issues for political leverage was not acceptable.
‘How can this be allowed?’ Mohan Bhagwat
Without naming specific sites, Bhagwat criticized the recent trend of raising demands for surveys of mosques to uncover hidden temples. “Every day a new matter (dispute) is being raked up. How can this be allowed? This cannot continue. India needs to show that we can live together,” he stated.
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He expressed concern over external influences seeking to reignite divisive agendas, saying, “Certain groups come with a resolve to restore their former rule. But now the country runs as per the Constitution. The days of hegemony are gone.”
Lessons from History
Drawing on historical examples, Bhagwat compared Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s rigid rule to his descendant Bahadur Shah Zafar, who prohibited cow slaughter in 1857. He reflected on the British era, attributing the creation of communal rifts and the eventual partition of India to colonial manipulation.
“It was decided that Ram Mandir in Ayodhya should be given to Hindus, but the British sensed it and created a rift between the two communities. Since then, this sense of ‘algavwad’ (separatism) came into being,” Bhagwat explained.
Bhagwat questioned the relevance of “language of dominance” in a nation where all individuals identify as Indians. “Who is a minority, and who is a majority? Everyone is equal here. The tradition of this nation is that all can follow their own forms of worship. The only requirement is to live in harmony and abide by rules and laws,” he asserted.
Mohan Bhagwat’s Vision for Vishwaguru Bharat
Concluding his address, Bhagwat urged Indians to learn from past mistakes and work collectively toward making India a global role model of harmony and coexistence. He reiterated the importance of unity, inclusivity, and adherence to constitutional values as the cornerstone of a prosperous and harmonious society.
