Bhagwat On Hindu Rashtra: ‘If A Hindu Wants No Muslims In Bharat, He Is Not A Hindu’

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said Hindutva does not support excluding Muslims from Bharat, asserting that anyone who believes there should be no Muslims in the country would cease to be a Hindu.

Bhagwat made the remarks while addressing the ‘One World: One Humanity Faith Leaders’ Summit in the US. He said Bharat’s tradition has been to provide shelter and a place to people from different communities and faiths.

“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.

Bhagwat Explains RSS View On ‘Hindu Rashtra’

Speaking about the RSS’s concept of a ‘Hindu Rashtra’, Bhagwat said the organisation believes humanity is one despite differences and that this message should be shared globally.

He recalled being asked by Muslim community members whether the idea of a Hindu Rashtra meant Muslims would be driven out of India.

“I said, no, that is not Hindutva. If any Hindu thinks that there should be no Muslims in Bharat, he will not remain Hindu,” Bhagwat said.

He added that society should move beyond an emphasis on “me” and “mine” and instead embrace a broader sense of “we” and “ours”.

Bhagwat also highlighted the RSS’s social service work, claiming that around 1.3 lakh service projects are being run with the participation of its volunteers and local communities. He said the organisation serves people without discrimination.

RSS Chief On Indian Diaspora

Bhagwat arrived in the US on Tuesday as part of the RSS’s global outreach programme during its centenary year. His tour also covers Canada and the UK.

During his US visit, he has interacted with members of the Indian diaspora, Indian-American business leaders and community representatives. He also visited New York’s Bhakti Centre and paid tribute to Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of ISKCON.

At a gathering attended by more than 6,000 Indian-Americans and interfaith leaders at Madison Square Garden’s Infosys Theatre, Bhagwat urged Indians living abroad to remain committed to their countries of residence and work.

He said those who live and earn in the US have a duty towards their ‘karmabhumi’, or place of work, while their connection to Bharat as their ‘janmabhoomi’ remains part of their identity.

‘Celebrate And Respect Diversity’

Bhagwat also spoke about the importance of unity amid diversity, saying the principle is central to both India and the US.

He said diversity should be celebrated, respected and accepted while maintaining an awareness of the unity that connects people.

The event, titled ‘Universal Oneness Celebration’, was organised by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD), a US-based nonprofit organisation. The programme featured cultural performances by young Indian-American children showcasing Indian and global musical traditions.