'Half knowledge will lead to...': Mohan Bhagwat on atrocities committed in name of religion

"Dharma was important and must be taught properly," RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said. (File photo/PTI)

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday pointed out that all the persecution and atrocities that have took place in the name of religion happened due to its "lack of understanding".

Bhagwat was speaking at the centenary function of 'Mahanubhav Ashram' in Maharashtra's Amravati. He said, "Dharma was important and must be taught properly."

"There have been atrocities in the world due to misunderstanding of religion. It is necessary to have a society that interprets religion correctly. Religion is very important, it should be taught properly. Religion has to be understood, if it is not understood properly then half knowledge of religion will lead to 'Adharma'," RSS chief said, as quoted by ANI.

"All the persecution and atrocities that took place across the world in the name of Dharma (religion) actually took place because of misunderstanding and lack of understanding of Dharma," he added.

Asserting that 'Dharma' has always existed and everything works according to it and that is why it is called "sanatan", the RSS chief said "the conduct of Dharma is protection of Dharma".

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His statement comes a few days after he made a call for unity in the country. Bhagwat voiced his concerns about the increasing number of temple-mosque disputes across India. He also criticised those who he believes are trying to establish themselves as leaders of Hindus by stirring up such controversies.

While delivering a lecture in Pune, Bhagwat was quoted as saying by news agency PTI, “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. After the construction of the Ram Mandir, some people think they can become leaders of Hindus by raking up similar issues in new places. This is not acceptable.”

He even stated that a new matter/dispute is being brought up in the country every day and questioned why it was being allowed. The RSS chief said this cannot continue and added that India needs to show that “we can live together”.