On Dussehra, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat says efforts being made to divide society but ‘we have to stay together’

He added, “the Hindu society is outspoken in such matters even when the accused is a Hindu. Sometimes, due to misunderstanding, we have also been abused and have had to answer. Today, society supports us and loves us, but if we do something like this (violence), society will criticise us. That’s how Hindu society is. Everyone must become like that. No matter what the provocation, one must stay within the limits of the law and the Constitution.”

“No one’s shraddha (faith) should be hurt. We will have to be careful of that. We may look different, but that does not mean we are different,” Bhagwat asserted, adding, “the idea that ‘we are not of Bharat’ and ‘we need a separate place’ is wrong and we have seen its consequences. We have to stay together and for that, we have to belong to Bharat.”

He added that the RSS does not want to “scare anyone” or “conquer others”. “We just don’t want to be conquered and so, we seek strength. When tyrants attack, it is the duty of everyone to defend. The entire society must come together on the side of truth in such moments.”

“People fear, ‘Arey Sangh wale maarenge’ (RSS people will beat us up). ‘The Hindu Sangathan will kick everyone out’. Such misinformation has been spread. Because of this fear, we have been meeting members of the minority community for the past few years,” Bhagwat said.

The RSS chief added that the organisation has been having such conversations since long and will continue to do so. “This spirit has been present since the time of Doctor saab (Dr K B Hedgewar) but it only came out in the open when Dr Jilani met Guruji (M S Golwalkar). Such conversations are increasing, and it is our wish that they continue.”