Mohan Bhagwat Says Hindus Who Want Muslims Out of India Cannot Remain Hindu
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat stated that a Hindu who believes Muslims should be driven out of India cannot remain a Hindu. Speaking at a conference in New York on Saturday, Bhagwat argued that the Hindu understanding of the oneness of humanity leaves no room for such exclusion.
The RSS chief made these remarks at the Faith Leaders Conference, an event organised by the AHEAD Forum. The conference brought together speakers representing various religious traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam.
The Definition of Hindutva and Inclusivity
During his address, Bhagwat recalled his 2018 lecture series, during which he was asked by Muslim participants whether his concept of a "Hindu Rashtra" meant that Muslims would be forced to leave India. He clarified that he had rejected this notion, stating that such exclusion is not Hindutva.
"If any Hindu thinks there should be no Muslims in India, he will not remain Hindu," Bhagwat said. He emphasised that identifying as a Hindu requires believing that all paths lead to the same God, adding that every human being possesses dignity and that there is no difference between individuals.
According to Bhagwat, Hindu tradition holds that all faiths ultimately lead to the pursuit of divinity. He noted that India has historically served as a sanctuary, providing shelter to people of various denominations who could not find safety elsewhere. However, he acknowledged that "a baggage" from the past has contributed to modern-day disturbances between communities.
The Role of Society and Politics
Bhagwat explained that the RSS believes it has a responsibility to communicate the idea that diversity does not negate an underlying unity. He described diversity as "a decoration of our innate unity" that must be protected, stating that unity is the ultimate truth behind nature.
While socio-religious organisations may seek to influence public policy and politics—including efforts to stop wars—Bhagwat argued that such work cannot begin with political institutions. He remarked that politics has become "a game of self-interest," where personal focus prevents solutions, whereas a collective focus provides them.
The RSS chief, who was also scheduled to speak at Madison Square Garden later that day, said the organisation's experience in India has shown that efforts to build unity must start at the societal level. He highlighted dialogue and service as key steps, referencing the ongoing dialogue initiated with Muslims and Christians following his 2018 lectures.
Service Beyond Community Lines
To illustrate the organisation's approach to service, Bhagwat recalled the 1996 mid-air collision over Haryana involving a Saudia flight and Kazakhstan Airlines. He noted that RSS workers were among the first to arrive at the crash site to assist survivors and arrange the last rites for the deceased.
"We did not think that they were Muslims. Had we been in politics, we would not have been able to do it," Bhagwat said, adding that the RSS does not seek publicity for such actions. He stated that negative perceptions of the organisation are created by incorrect narratives, which would be dispelled within a day if people observed the RSS from the inside.
Bhagwat stated that the RSS aims to build social strength first, which can subsequently influence politics through public opinion. He noted that in a democracy, politicians will not dare to go against a strong public opinion.
Perspectives on Faith and Historical Baggage
Describing the effort to bring different faith communities together as "eternal work," Bhagwat acknowledged that the task for religious leaders would be laborious, tedious, and time-consuming. He shared that when Muslim and Christian representatives express frustration over slow progress after multiple meetings, he advises them to continue the dialogue.
Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, a prominent Nigerian Catholic prelate who served as the Archbishop of Abuja from 1994 to 2019, also spoke at the event. Onaiyekan addressed the historical baggage carried by communities, noting that religious conflicts in Africa are partly rooted in the history of competition and conversion between Islam and Christianity.
Onaiyekan questioned the continued emphasis on converting others and suggested that religious communities need to re-examine their scriptures and traditions. He noted that his own church began this self-examination in 1965, and urged other groups to do the same to move past historical rivalries.
Earlier in the week, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticised the RSS, describing its vision as "exclusionary" and at odds with the pluralistic, secular idea of India. When asked if Bhagwat's event should be cancelled, Mamdani stated that while he did not support the rally, he did not know if the city had the jurisdiction to cancel a private event.
