Batting for an inclusive society, the RSS chief scorns new controversies

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. file. | Photo Credit: ANI

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has expressed concern over the revival of several temple-mosque disputes and after the construction of the Ayodhya Ram temple, some people seem to believe that they can become “leaders of the Hindus” by taking up such issues.

Delivering a lecture on ‘Bharat – Vishwaguru’ at the Sahjivan Lecture Hall (Lakhyanmala) in Pune on Thursday (December 19, 2024), Bhagwat advocated an inclusive society and said there is a need to show the world that the country can live together. harmony

Highlighting the diversity of Indian society, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief said that Christmas is celebrated at the Ramakrishna Mission, “only we can do it because we are Hindus”.

“We have been living in harmony for a long time. If we want to impart this harmony to the world, we must model it. Some people think that after the Ram Mandir is built, they can raise similar issues in new places and become leaders of Hindus. This is not acceptable,’ he said.

The Ram temple was built as a matter of faith for all Hindus, said Mr. Bhagwat.

“Every day a new issue (controversy) is arising. How can this be allowed? This cannot continue. India needs to show that we can live together,” he said, without mentioning a specific site.

Several demands for a survey of mosques to locate temples have reached the court in the recent past, though Mr. Bhagwat did not mention any names in his lecture.

Some groups from outside have come with fanaticism and want to return their old regime, he said.

But now the country runs according to the constitution. In this system, the people elect their representatives, who run the government. The days of dominance are gone,’ he said.

He said that the rule of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was characterized by such bigotry, although his successor Bahadur Shah Zafar banned cow slaughter in 1857.

“It was decided to give the Ram temple in Ayodhya to Hindus but the British realized this and created a rift between the two communities. From that time this spirit of ‘Algavad’ (Separatism) came into being. As a result, Pakistan came into existence,’ he said.

Mr. Bhagwat asked why the “language of dominance” was being used if everyone identified themselves as Indians.

“Who is the minority and who is the majority? Everyone is equal here. The tradition of this nation is that everyone gets to worship themselves. The only requirement is to live in harmony and follow rules and laws,” the RSS chief stressed.