Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), said on Tuesday that every person living in the country is a ‘Hindu,’ and that the DNA of all Indians is the same, and that there is no need for anyone to change his way of performing rituals.
In an address to Swayamsevaks (Sangh volunteers) in Ambikapur, the headquarters of Chhattisgarh’s Surguja district, he emphasised unity in diversity as an age-old feature of India and claimed Hindutva is the only idea in the world that believes in bringing everyone along.
“We have been telling since 1925 (when RSS was founded) that everyone living in India is a Hindu. Those who consider India as their ‘matrubhoomi’ (mother land) and want to live with a culture of unity in diversity and make efforts in this direction, irrespective of whatever religion, culture, language and food habits and ideology they follow, are Hindus,” Bhagwat said.
He stated that Hindutva ideology respects diversity and believes in human unity.
“Hindutva is the only idea in the entire world that believes in unifying diversities because it has carried such diversities together in this country for thousands of years. This is the truth and you have to speak it firmly. On the basis of it we can be united. The Sangh’s work is to build individual and national character and bring unity among people,” the RSS leader added.
He emphasised the importance of respecting everyone’s faith and claimed that all Indians have the same DNA and share common ancestors.
“Despite having diversities we all are like one…We had common ancestors. Every Indian who is part of the 40,000-year old ‘Akhand Bharat’ has common DNA. Our ancestors had taught that everyone should stick to their faith and rituals and not try to convert others’ faith. Every path leads to a common place,” said Bhagwat.
The RSS leader urged people to respect all religious beliefs and rituals.
“Respect everyone’s faith and rituals. Accept everyone and walk on your own way. Fulfil your wishes, but don’t be so selfish to not take care of the wellbeing of others,” he added.
According to Bhagwat, the entire country fought the coronavirus pandemic together.
“Our culture connects us. No matter how much we fight among ourselves, we become united in times of crises. We fight together when the country faces some kind of trouble. During the coronavirus pandemic the whole country stood as one to deal with it,” he insisted.
Inviting people to visit the Sangh’s ‘sakhas’ (congregation of RSS workers), he stated that the 97-year-old organisation’s goal is to unite people and make societies influential while walking on the path of truth.
“Don’t look at the Sangh from a distance as a spectator. Make your personality useful for the country and work for the welfare of the country and the society. Become swayamsevak to lead such life,” Bhagwat added.