New York: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has delivered a strong message on religious coexistence and unity during his visit to New York, saying that the idea of a Hindu Rashtra does not mean excluding Muslims from India.
Speaking at the “One World, One Humanity” faith leaders’ event in New York, Bhagwat said that diversity must be accepted, respected and protected, while emphasising that humanity remains fundamentally one.
‘A Hindu Who Wants No Muslims In Bharat Is Not A Hindu’
One of Bhagwat’s strongest remarks came while discussing the relationship between Hindutva and religious diversity.
He said that if a Hindu believes there should be no Muslims in Bharat, that person would not remain a Hindu. According to Bhagwat, Hindu thought recognises that different paths can lead towards the same ultimate goal and that every human being deserves dignity.
The RSS chief also reiterated the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, or the idea that the world is one family.
He argued that India’s civilisational tradition has historically allowed people belonging to different faiths and denominations to live together.
‘Diversity Must Be Accepted, Respected And Protected’
Bhagwat stressed that unity should not be confused with uniformity.
He said diversity is a natural feature of society and must be protected just as individuals protect their own identities. According to his message, respecting another person’s identity is part of preserving social harmony.
“Unity in diversity” was a recurring theme in his address, with Bhagwat presenting India’s civilisational experience as an example of different communities living together despite differences in faith, traditions and practices.
Bhagwat Links Hindutva With Universal Humanity
Bhagwat said the RSS believes that all humanity is one and that its responsibility is to communicate this message beyond India.
He described diversity as an outward expression of an underlying unity and argued that people should not be divided permanently on the basis of their religious identities.
His comments also echoed his earlier position that the concept of Hindu Rashtra, as understood by the RSS, should not be interpreted as a demand to remove Muslims or other religious communities from India.
‘Unity And Diversity Are In Bharat’s DNA’
At another New York programme, Bhagwat said that unity and diversity are ingrained in the DNA of Bharat.
Speaking to the Indian diaspora at the Universal Oneness Celebration at Madison Square Garden, he contrasted India’s civilisational idea of unity in diversity with the American concept of pluralism.
Bhagwat said India’s role should be to demonstrate the possibility of unity amid diversity through practice rather than simply preaching the concept to the world.
Message Comes Amid Debate Over Bhagwat’s US Visit
Bhagwat’s remarks come during a high-profile US visit marking the RSS’s centenary-year global outreach.
His New York appearance had generated controversy before the event, with critics including New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and several civil rights and interfaith organisations questioning the RSS’s ideology and opposing the programme. The organisers, however, described the event as an effort to promote interfaith dialogue, shared heritage and the idea that the world is one family.
The contrasting reactions have made Bhagwat’s visit a significant event among both Indian-American communities and groups engaged in debates over religion, nationalism and pluralism.
Bhagwat Says Politics Should Not Drive Social Change
In his New York address, Bhagwat also spoke about the relationship between society and politics.
He said politics had increasingly become a “game of self-interest” and suggested that lasting social change should begin within society rather than being driven solely through political power.
He emphasised the importance of building social consensus and encouraging communities to work together despite their differences.
What Bhagwat’s New York Message Means
Bhagwat’s latest remarks represent an effort to articulate the RSS’s understanding of Hindutva, Hindu Rashtra and religious diversity to an international audience.
The central message of his speeches was that India’s identity, in his view, can accommodate different religions while retaining a shared civilisational and cultural identity.
His statement that a Hindu who wants Muslims excluded from Bharat cannot remain a Hindu was particularly significant, as it directly addressed one of the most debated questions surrounding the RSS’s vision of a Hindu Rashtra.
Key Highlights
| Topic | Bhagwat’s Message |
|---|---|
| Hindu Rashtra | Does not mean excluding Muslims |
| Muslims in India | Their presence is compatible with Bhagwat’s understanding of Hindu Rashtra |
| Diversity | Must be accepted, respected and protected |
| Unity | Can coexist with religious and cultural differences |
| Hindutva | Linked to universal humanity and dignity |
| Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam | World is one family |
| India’s role | Demonstrate unity in diversity through practice |
Bhagwat’s New York speeches are likely to continue the debate over how the RSS defines Hindu Rashtra and Hindutva, while his emphasis on religious coexistence and unity in diversity provides a significant part of the organisation’s current public messaging during its centenary year.
