"Any Hindu Who Thinks...": RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat On 'What About Muslims' Question In US - NDTV
Mohan Bhagwat defended the RSS’s inclusive stance by stressing “oneness in diversity” when asked about Muslims, while protests outside the New York event highlighted lingering concerns over the organization’s majoritarian image. The speech underscores a continuing tension between diaspora expectations of pluralism and the RSS’s nationalist narrative.
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Mohan Bhagwat defended the RSS’s inclusive stance by stressing “oneness in diversity” when asked about Muslims, while protests outside the New York event highlighted lingering concerns over the organization’s majoritarian image. The speech underscores a continuing tension between diaspora expectations of pluralism and the RSS’s nationalist narrative.
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**RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Addresses ‘What About Muslims?’ Question at New York Diaspora Event**
New Delhi – Speaking to a gathering of the Indian diaspora in New York on Saturday, Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), was asked directly about the place of Indian Muslims in the nation’s social fabric. Bhagwat replied that any Hindu who “thinks” the community can be defined by exclusionary lines is missing the core tenet of the RSS’s philosophy, which he described as “oneness in diversity.” He emphasized that *Bharat* (India) is built on a DNA of unity amid myriad cultures, religions, and languages, and that the question of “what about Muslims?” should be answered by reaffirming the shared civic identity that transcends creed.
The remarks came amid a wave of protests outside the venue, where several activist groups accused the RSS of fostering majoritarian politics. Demonstrators carried placards calling for secularism and demanding accountability for past communal incidents. In response, Bhagwat underscored the organization’s historical commitment to social service and nation‑building, citing recent RSS‑led initiatives in education, disaster relief, and environmental projects such as the “ARISE” coastal resilience program in Odisha. He urged the diaspora to remain loyal to their *karmabhumi*—the land where they earn their livelihood—while also contributing to India’s development from abroad.
Analysts note that Bhagwat’s articulation of “oneness in diversity” is a calibrated attempt to soften the RSS’s image internationally, where the organization is often portrayed as a Hindu nationalist force. While supporters view his message as a reaffirmation of India’s pluralistic ethos, critics argue it glosses over systemic issues faced by Muslim communities, including discrimination and under‑representation. The episode is likely to fuel ongoing debates within the Indian diaspora about the role of the RSS and the broader political direction of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which maintains close ideological ties with the Sangh.
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