Fulfill duty to karmabhoomi before janmabhoomi, RSS chief Bhagwat tells Indian diaspora in NY - ThePrint

**RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat urges Indian diaspora to prioritize “karmabhoomi” over “janmabhoomi”**

New York – Speaking to a gathering of Indian expatriates at the United Nations headquarters on 20 May, RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) chief Mohan Bhagwat told the audience that the moral responsibilities attached to one’s “karmabhoomi” – the land where a person works and contributes – must be fulfilled before any claim to the “janmabhoomi,” the birthplace of one’s ancestors. Bhagwat argued that a nation’s progress hinges on citizens first serving the society that sustains them, irrespective of where they were born. He cited examples of Indian migrants who have built successful businesses, contributed to research, and engaged in community service abroad, urging them to “repay the debt of the soil that nourishes their present lives” before focusing on issues of identity tied to their native lands.

The speech quickly attracted attention for a remark that linked religious tolerance with Hindu identity. Bhagwat said, “If Hindus think Muslims have no place, they cease to be Hindu,” a line that was interpreted by some as a call for inclusive pluralism, while others viewed it as a strategic repositioning of the RSS’s long‑standing image. The Hindu and ThePrint reported that the comment was framed as a reminder that the RSS’s cultural nationalism must accommodate India’s religious diversity. However, political opponents, including All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Asaduddin Owaisi, denounced the statement as a “political stunt” and accused the RSS of using inclusive rhetoric to mask its exclusionary history, a view echoed by The Wire’s editorial board.

Reactions across the diaspora were mixed. While several community leaders praised the emphasis on civic duty and expressed optimism that the RSS could play a constructive role in diaspora engagement, critics warned that the speech could be an attempt to soften the organization’s image ahead of upcoming elections. The Telegraph India noted that the event sparked a “diversity counter” on social media, with some Indian-Americans questioning the sincerity of the message given the RSS’s past controversies. Nonetheless, Bhagwat’s appearance underscored the organization’s growing outreach to overseas Indians, signaling an effort to influence the diaspora’s political discourse and to project a narrative of inclusive nationalism abroad.

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