Hindu Rashtra doesn't mean it has no place for Muslims, says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday said a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ does not mean there is no place for Muslims as this concept is inclusive of all faiths and religions.

“Sangh works towards universal brotherhood. And the cardinal principle of this brotherhood is unity in diversity. This thought comes from our culture, which the world calls Hindutva. That’s why we call it a Hindu Rashtra,” Bhagwat said on day two of the Sangh’s three-day conclave, Bhavishya Ka Bharat — An RSS Perspective, being held in the national capital.

Also read | No RSS influence on Modi government’s policies, says Mohan Bhagwat

Asserting that the RSS’ philosophy is to take everyone along, he said, “Hindu Rashtra doesn’t mean there’s no place for Muslims. The day it becomes so, it won’t be Hindutva. Hindutva talks about one world family. Hindutva talks about Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’’ adding Hindutva was the essence of Indian cultural values and was aimed at fostering brotherhood among people of different faiths and views.

The RSS chief termed Hindutva as synonymous with the concept of Bhartiya, which is used to define all Indians and is reflective of unity in diversity.

The Sangh believes in Sarvepi Sukhinah Santu, which goes beyond the concept of ‘maximum good of maximum people’, the RSS chief said, adding that no single language or God bind us together.

“No single language or God bind us together. Our food habits, rituals and customs are not the same. We are divided in various states, languages, and castes. In spite of this, we claim to be the progeny of Bharat Mata and the followers of the universal human values,” Bhagwat said.

Also Read | Rafale row: Nirmala Sitharaman hits back at Antony, says UPA didn't support HAL in 2013

Bhagwat spoke at length about Hindus and Hindutva. He said Dr Ambedkar suggested that religion is not a code but a set of values and Hindutva is based on that set of values.

“While speaking in Parliament about Hindu Code Bill, Dr Ambedkar asked what is a religion? A value or a code? You consider a code as a religion. A code may change but not values. Our perspective towards religion is that it is based on values,” the RSS chief added.

(With PTI inputs)