RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Says Hindus Who Exclude Muslims Are Not True Hindus

NEW DELHI: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said Hinduism believes in the unity of humanity, asserting that “If any Hindu thinks that there should be no Muslims in India, then he's not a Hindu.” Addressing the ‘One World One Humanity’ event in New York, Bhagwat said different religions may follow different paths, but humanity and truth remain one. “We come from a society that believes humanity is one. If any Hindu thinks that there should be no Muslims in India, then he's not a Hindu….” the RSS chief said. “If you want call yourself hindu than you must believe that all paths are leading to the same. And every human has a dignity. There is no difference between human beings,” he added. Bhagwat said diversity must be protected while stressing the importance of unity. “Diversity has to be protected as it is the rule of nature and 'Unity is universal truth,” he said. “I am not a religious scholar, nor a religious authority like you, but I am working in a society which traditionally says that religions might be different, but humanity is one. Truth is one, and humanity is a product of that truth. So humanity is one,” Bhagwat said. He added that while truth is one, it can be described in different ways depending on how people perceive it. “That truth is one truth, but it is described in many ways according to the describer. Because as human beings, we are prisoners of the software that has been created in our heads,” he said. “There are many religions, and in today's world, religions are largely defined by rituals. And to fit in a religious discipline, and to treat that path to divinity, this discipline of rituals is also necessary,” he added. The event was organised by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD) and was described as a “landmark Raksha Bandhan gathering”. “The event carries a timeless and universal message: 'The world is one family'. It calls upon us to look beyond artificial divisions and differences, recognise the bonds that unite humanity, and embrace a spirit of mutual respect, harmony, and oneness,” the organisation said. The programme featured cultural presentations and keynote addresses centred on universal oneness and the Hindu philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, or the world is one family. Bhagwat arrived in the US earlier this week as part of the RSS's centenary-year global outreach programme, which also includes visits to Canada and the UK. During his visit, he has met members of the Indian diaspora, Indian-American business leaders and community representatives.

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Ahead of his Madison Square Garden address, images of Bhagwat were projected on billboards in New York's Times Square, carrying the words “Resolve, Harmony and Dialogue”. Bhagwat also visited the Bhakti Centre and the ISKCON temple in New York. At the temple, he participated in a food distribution initiative for homeless people and spoke about the role of Krishna consciousness in addressing conflicts and divisions. Earlier, the RSS said the Madison Square Garden event was being organised in the spirit of open dialogue and invited “anyone interested” in learning more about the organisation to participate.

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