'Hindu Rashtra, does not mean we are going to leave out anyone': Mohan Bhagwat reflects on Sangh’s 100-year journey

Mohan Bhagwat was speaking during the centenary lecture series ‘100 Years of Sangh's Journey: New Horizons’

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said the organisation’s imagination of Hindu Rashtra was neither in opposition to anyone nor does it intend to leave out anyone.

He was speaking during the centenary lecture series "100 Years of Sangh's Journey: New Horizons" with a sweeping reflection on India's history, nationalism, and the Sangh's role in shaping the future held in New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan.

“When we talk about Hindu Rashtra, questions are raised … When we say Hindu Rashtra, we do not mean we are going to leave out anyone … or we are opposed to anyone. The Sangh is not like that. The Sangh is not born out of a reaction or opposition,” said Bhagwat.

According to the RSS chief, the word “Hindu Rashtra” has no connection with power. “Whenever there has been a rule with the prominence of Hindu Rashtra, it has not been one concerned with religion and faith. Everyone has equal justice in it, no discrimination at all,” the RSS chief said.

Bhagwat also narrated an anecdote about M S Golwalkar, the second RSS chief. Golwalkar was once setting up a Sangh shakha (branch) in a village when he was asked why it was required when the place did not have Muslims and Christians. Bhagwat said that Golwalkar replied that even if the whole world did not have Muslims or Christians, shakhas would be needed to organise the Hindu society.

“A Hindu does not believe in one God. He has many forms. It is said he has 33 crore forms. Neither one scripture nor one Guru. There were many, Buddhists, Jains, Shaivaites … There were many religions. But there was a nature to accept all these, all forms of worship. All will reach the same place. No way is the wrong way … Hindu does not mean Hindu versus all. Hindu is inclusive and inclusivity has no limits,” said Bhagwat.

The RSS chief also said many who may have disliked the RSS may like it now. “Having a different opinion or view is not a crime. It is a virtue given by nature. When we listen to different opinions and reach a consensus, we progress,” he said.

‘Remote control’

Bhagwat also said that the Sangh does not “remote control” its swayamsevaks). “What swayamsevaks do is their domain. It is independent and autonomous. The credit goes to them. Discredit is shared by the Sangh because it is our product. The Sangh does not control them, either directly or remotely. But the connection of swayamsevaks with the Sangh is unbreakable. Because of that, they talk to us and we talk to them. They ask us, we tell them. We notice something, we tell them. If they ask for help, we provide. But there is no pressure on them that they should listen to us,” he said.

Last year during the Lok Sabha polls, BJP national president J P Nadda told Indian Express that the party has grown from the time it needed the RSS and is now “saksham” (capable) and runs its own affairs.