Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat voiced concerns on Thursday about the resurgence of temple-mosque disputes, warning that such actions threaten India’s long-standing harmony. Speaking at the “Sahajeevan Vyakhyanmala” lecture series in Pune, Bhagwat stated that some individuals believe raising these issues will position them as leaders of Hindus, which he said is unacceptable.
“Every day, new disputes are being raised. How can this be allowed? India must demonstrate to the world that we can live together harmoniously. We have done so for centuries,” Bhagwat emphasized. Referring indirectly to recent court petitions seeking surveys of mosques to locate temples, he added, “Ram Mandir was built because it was a matter of faith for Hindus, but raising new disputes every day is not justified.”
Highlighting the inclusive nature of Indian society, Bhagwat said, “At the Ramakrishna Mission, Christmas is celebrated. Only we, as Hindus, can do this because our ethos is rooted in harmony. If we want to show this harmony to the world, we must create a model for coexistence.”
The chief priest of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Acharya Satyendra Das, echoed Bhagwat’s sentiments, stating, “The temple-mosque conflict is communal, and some individuals exploit such disputes to emerge as leaders. This approach is unhealthy and should stop.”
Bhagwat also touched upon historical divisions, attributing the Hindu-Muslim divide to British policies designed to foster discord. “The British exploited these divisions, resulting in the creation of Pakistan. Today, India operates under a constitution where people elect their representatives, and governance is based on democratic principles,” he remarked.
Referring to minority issues, Bhagwat noted, “India often faces scrutiny over the treatment of minorities. However, we must also observe how minority communities are treated in other countries.” Although he refrained from mentioning recent incidents of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, the RSS has raised concerns about their safety under changing political dynamics in the neighboring country.
