In West Bengal, Bhagwat calls for Hindu unity

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday underscored the importance of Hindu unity and the need to embrace diversity.

Addressing a conference of the RSS volunteers at Bardhaman in West Bengal after getting nod from the Calcutta High Court, he said, “Hinduism progresses by accepting the world’s diversity, understanding that unity exists within diversity.”

Bhagwat added that 1,30,000 RSS volunteers were contributing to India’s progress. “We are trying to make a meaningful contribution to the progress of India. The Sangh has simply given values, thoughts and inspiration,” he said.

Bhagwat gave the instance of Lord Ram to illustrate the importance of sacrifice and dedication to duty. “In our country, no one remembers the kings, but they remember the king who spent 14 years in exile for his father, who gave the kingdom to his brother,” he said.

Bhagwat criticised past invasions and the notion that India was created by the British, asserting that the country’s foundation predates British rule. “The attacks that started from the time of Alexander (of Macedonia) continued to happen, hordes of of barbarians came, they were not superior to us, but they ruled over us. This happened again and again”.

Bhagwat urged the RSS volunteers to work to spread the influence of RSS and collaborate to reinforce their ideology. “Hindus are those who embody India’s characteristics and keep its diverse population united. The RSS aims to organise Hindu society because it constitutes the core of the nation,” he said.

Bhagwat pointed out that the RSS would not participate in any actions that could cause harm to others.