NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said that not only does the RSS believe in “unity in diversity”, but that there can be no Hindutva without Muslims.Bhagwat said Hindutva means inclusivity and accepting Muslims is a part of it.
Speaking on the second day of the three-day lecture series on ‘Bharat of future: An RSS perspective’ in New Delhi, Mohan Bhagwat said, “It is a myth that Nagpur runs the government. We do not have any impact on government policies.
The comments assume significance as it is believed that the RSS had a key role in the victory of Modi-led BJP in 2014 and is widely expected to play an important role in the next year’s Lok Sabha polls as well.
Mohan Bhagwat also tackled Rahul Gandhi’s recent comparison of the RSS with the Muslim Brotherhood. “The Sangh talks of a global brotherhood. This brotherhood envisages unity in diversity.
Bhagwat added that RSS would ‘respect’ the sentiments of the non-Hindus if they want to be referred to as ‘Bhartiya’. RSS has maintained that every Indian living in the country is a Hindu.
Bhagwat said Constitution is the ‘consensus’ document prepared by the founding fathers of the country and RSS has always respected it.
“The RSS accepts the Constitution. There is not even one example in which the RSS has done anything against the Constitution,” Bhagwat said.Bhagwat also said that the organisation has no political ambition and will not contest any election.
“We do not believe that we are the only organisation which will be responsible for the nation’s development. We are not arrogant that way,” said the RSS chief.
The RSS is for social reform or change, not for a political system, the RSS sarsanghchalak added.
