RSS Chief Dr. Mohan Bhagwat’s Interview

RSS Chief Dr. Mohan Bhagwat has given a detailed interview which appeared in two magazines, English weekly Organiser and Hindi weekly Panchjanya dated 15th January 2023. The Sangh is moving towards its centenary year 2025. It is an important exposition of the Sangh’s views on social, political and theoretical issues. It also throws light on…

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Ejaz Ahmed Aslam

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RSS Chief Dr. Mohan Bhagwat has given a detailed interview which appeared in two magazines, English weekly Organiser and Hindi weekly Panchjanya dated 15th January 2023. The Sangh is moving towards its centenary year 2025. It is an important exposition of the Sangh’s views on social, political and theoretical issues. It also throws light on what have been the approaches of the organisation and what are its plans for its second century. Mr. Bhagwat has spoken about the Sangh’s aspirations, fears and plans.

Between the lines one finds how, to use his own words, he feels disturbed by imbalance in (religious) composition of the country. He also says that Hindus have been facing a war for the last 1000 years, and now when they are in a stronger position how they can assert themselves. A reader can easily perceive the lurking fears of the Sangh with regard to Islam and Muslims. It is difficult to understand why he fears Muslims. They are less than 15% of population. Because of the policies of Hindutva forces which are being aggressively implemented by BJP. Muslims do not pose any danger to the Hindus. Is this fear because of the theoretical superiority of the fundamental principles of Islam, which are a firm belief in the supremacy of God, the Creator, the Master, the Nourisher and the Controller of the whole mankind and the entire universe. And additionally an unwavering devotion and dedication to the Word of God which was brought and spread throughout the world, in succeeding ages, by countless Prophets and Messengers and was finalised and perfected in the last Book, the Holy Qur’ān.

If Mr. Bhagwat or leaders and ideologues of the Sangh go through their own scriptures, they will find them in the religious books of Hindus also. The interview also underlines the importance of dialogue among different religions in India and need for avoiding conflicts and use of force. Then why this fear?

At one place RSS Chief says: “There is no harm to the Muslims living today in Bharat. If they wish to stick to their faith, they can. If they wish to return to their ancestors, they may. It is entirely their choice…. Islam has nothing to fear. But the same time, Muslims must abandon the boisterous rhetoric of supremacy. We are of an exalted race; we once ruled over this land, and shall rule it again; only our path is right, rest everyone is wrong; we are different, therefore we’ll continue to be so; we cannot live together – they must abandon this narrative.”

Mr. Bhagwat has given an aggressive tone to what the Muslims say. In the present Indian context, nobody thinks like this. This is the age of democracy, liberty, equality and fraternity. Neither Muslims have adopted any aggressiveness nor is it possible in anyway.

Muslims believe collectively that God is the Lord of the entire world. He should not only be worshipped but also obeyed in individual and collective life of the people. They want to stick to the divine message and also share this with all brethren and the entire population of India.

At the same time we invite one and all towards God, Islam and morality. Those who are controlling the levers of power should analyse whether they have kept the spirit of democracy alive or they are using force, intimidation and hate and fear. Our salvation lies in encouraging the atmosphere of openness, dialogue and understanding. This should be understood by one and all.