For Hindu unity: RSS backs Yogi’s batenge toh katenge call to counter ‘divisive’ forces

The RSS on Saturday firmly backed Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath’s “batenge toh katenge (divided, we will fall)” line to stress the unity of Hindu society and cautioning against “multiple forces out undermine Hindu unity”.

Speaking days after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat asked Hindus to draw lessons from Bangladesh and understand that weakness and disunity were an invitation to atrocities, his second in command Dattatreya Hosabale today said Hindu unity was the life mission of RSS and the organisation “was committed to working for it”.

RSS general secretary Hosabale was speaking to reporters at the end of a two-day Sangh national executive committee meeting. To a specific question on what the Sangh thought of the slogan “batenge toh katenge” — which Yogi gave after Sheikh Hasina was ousted in Bangladesh — Hosabale said: “Slogan can be anything but the spirit is one of the urge for unity. History shows that whenever Hindus get divided, they suffer. What is the issue? The spirit is the same, one of unity and harmony of society. If we allow the distinctions of caste, language, forward and backward to divide us, we will suffer (toh hum katenge).”

Hosabale said the unity of the nation is most important and unity had to be practised. “It must be made part of our conduct. Today, a number of people associated with religious and other associations are understanding this. The unity of Hindu society is the life mission of RSS. For this we will work hard,” the second highest RSS functionary said.

He claimed forces were at work to break and divide Hindus. “They are dividing Hindus in the name of caste, ideology. We have to be cautious,” Hosabale said. On the issue of temple and mosque disputes in Mathura and Kashi, Hosabale said the matter was in courts and people should honour the judicial process while making their case.

“Everything does not need a Ram Janmabhoomi kind of movement. We are with the society, everything can’t be done by the RSS but we late on solidarity with the people,” he said. On the issue of Bangladeshi Hindus, Hosabale said they should not migrate. “They should stay in Bangladesh. It is their land. They should be given protection. There is a Hindu shaktipeeth there and India has contributed to creating Bangladesh,” he said.

In a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Hosabale said: “Why don’t the proprietors of Mohabbat Ki Dukaan meet RSS people. We are a social organisation and not against anyone, not even Congress.”