‘He will not remain Hindu’: Mohan Bhagwat’s message on Muslims, Hindutva and oneness in US

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday (August 29) said that if any Hindu thinks there should be no Muslims in Bharat, “he will not remain Hindu”. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader made the remarks while addressing the One World: One Humanity Faith Leaders’ Summit in New York.

Addressing more than 6,000 members of the Indian-American community and interfaith leaders at the Infosys Theatre at the iconic Madison Square Garden, Bhagwat called for embracing diversity and supporting communities.

Bhagwat said people of all denominations live in Bharat and that the country has traditionally offered shelter to those who could not find a safe place elsewhere.

‘Bharat has given shelter to everybody’

“By tradition, Bharat has given shelter to everybody. Those who could not find a safe place in the world came to Bharat, where they found their place,” he said.
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“We as RSS think, because we have this knowledge that world humanity is one, it is our duty to go all over the world and tell everybody that, despite diversities, we are one,” he said.

Bhagwat recalled being asked by Muslims whether the RSS, as a Hindu organisation that believes in a Hindu Rashtra, would drive them out.

“Muslim brothers asked me a question: You are a Hindu organisation, you see Hindu Rashtra, what about us Muslims? Would you drive us out? I said, no, that is not Hindutva. If any Hindu thinks that there should be no Muslims in Bharat, he will not remain Hindu,” he said.

“Where there is ‘me’ and ‘mine’, there is no solution. ‘We’ and ‘ours’ is the solution,” he added.

Bhagwat also said the RSS does not discriminate while carrying out its service activities.

“We (RSS) are serving. While serving, we don’t see discrimination. Whoever is in need, we are serving. One lakh thirty thousand service projects are being run by our Swayamsevaks with the help of society. They served everywhere and served equally,” he said.

‘Unity in diversity’

Speaking at the Universal Oneness Celebration organised by the American Hindus For Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD) forum, Bhagwat contrasted the ideas commonly associated with the US and Bharat.

“When we say America, United States of America, one word is often discussed frequently, that is pluralism. And when we say Bharat, another phrase is discussed: unity in diversity,” he said.

“For Bharat, this unity and diversity, both are in the DNA,” he added, referring to Swami Vivekananda’s message that every nation has a mission and a destiny to fulfil.

Bhagwat said Bharat’s destiny was to realise and help the world realise “unity in diversity”.

“Diversity has to be celebrated, respected, accepted, and at the same time, we must keep in mind this feeling of oneness,” he said.

The event brought together participants from 39 states and 853 cities, along with more than 250 students from universities and representatives of 250 organisations across the US.

Bhagwat also stressed the importance of giving back to society.

“We owe everything to someone else. We take from the world, and so we have to give back. How much we earn is not important, how much we distribute is important,” he said.

‘Be loyal to your karmabhoomi’

Addressing the Indian diaspora, Bhagwat urged them to remain loyal to their “karmabhoomi” or land of action.

“We are in America. We live in America. We earn in America. So we are America, and we should behave true to America,” he said.

“The diaspora, Bharatiya diaspora, they have a duty to their karmabhoomi. They must fulfil that. They should be loyal to their karmabhoomi,” he added.

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He said that while Bharat is the diaspora’s “janmabhoomi” or motherland, their primary duty is to the country where they live and work.

“Your janmabhoomi expects you to live the values it has imparted to you. The value is oneness,” he said.

Bhagwat also said a nation is more than a geographical piece of land and called on Bharatiyas to fulfil their responsibilities both in their karmabhoomi and janmabhoomi.

“If we do that, that will be a boon for the world struggling with all these problems and stumbling at every step. We have to give sustenance. We have to give some sort of support to this world,” he said.

Faith leaders’ ‘call to action’

Before Bhagwat’s keynote address, interfaith leaders spoke about oneness, unity, diversity, kindness and compassion.

The speakers included Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, CEO of the Rabbinical Assembly; Reverend Adriene Thorne, senior minister of New York’s historic Riverside Church; and Talib M Shareef, president and Imam of Masjid Muhammad, also known as the ‘Nation’s Mosque’, in Washington, DC.

The event featured cultural performances by Indian-American children and artists representing cultures from across the world, including Africa, Latin America, China, Europe and the Middle East. The performances carried the message of unity, diversity and ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ — the world is one family.

About 180 religious leaders from 30 countries also announced a five-point “call to action”, urging communities to “begin with ourselves”, “stand for one another”, “build relationships before we need them”, “serve together” and “take responsibility for the future”.

The declaration said communities should stand together when another community is threatened and speak out when people are dehumanised or targeted, irrespective of their religious or cultural identity.

It also called for building relationships across religious and cultural boundaries, particularly among young people, before crises occur.

Bhagwat concluded by underscoring the message of being “united in oneness and decorated by diversity”.

“Diversity is natural, and unity is truth. That we must understand and shape our life according to this,” he said.

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Bhagwat arrived in the US on Tuesday as part of the RSS centenary-year global outreach programme. His tour also includes Canada and the UK. During his US visit, he has met members of the Indian diaspora, Indian-American business executives and community leaders.

He also visited the Bhakti Centre in New York and paid tribute to Indian spiritual leader Srila A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

(With agency inputs)