TALIT (BURDWAN): Diversity is intrinsic to India’s existence and reflected in its culture of embracing pluralism, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said at an event in Bengal’s Burdwan on Sunday.
“Indian civilisation is ancient. Every community has its character. Hindus know it and accept that. They know that our pluralist character is a manifestation of unity,” he said during the rally in Talit, calling for “sanhati” (unity) of all Hindus.
“We should respect the separate characteristic traits of different communities. Diversity of language and culture has always been part of the Indian ethos. This culture created our identity as Hindus. ‘Hindu’ is not people from a particular community or religion. Hindus believe in ‘vasudhaiva kutumbakam‘ (the world is one family). We have always believed in harmony, even with our enemies.”
Alluding to Pakistan, the RSS chief said “those who felt they couldn’t remain within this harmonious society made their own country” while “those who didn’t leave the country accepted the nature of Indian society”.
Bhagwat reminded RSS swayamsevaks of “rajdharma“, citing Ram as the epitome of this ideal. “India remembers the king who decided to spend 14 years in the wilderness just to keep his father’s word. It also remembers the king who put the exiled king’s shoes on the throne and ruled the country.”
He expressed happiness at RSS expanding its network in Bengal. “Sangh believes in ‘samata’ (equality) and ‘samarsata’ (harmony).”