RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat strongly condemned the growing trend of individuals creating “Ram temple-like” controversies at various religious sites on Thursday. He described these actions as “unacceptable” and harmful to the social fabric of India. Bhagwat’s remarks came amid fresh debates surrounding the origins of religious places, such as Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, and Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan.
Promoting Harmony Among Diverse Faiths
Speaking in Pune as part of a lecture series titled “Vishwaguru Bharat,” Bhagwat emphasized that India should serve as an example of how different religions and ideologies can coexist peacefully. He urged the country to avoid unnecessary disputes over religious sites and instead focus on creating a harmonious society.
Rejecting Divisiveness
Bhagwat called on Indians to learn from past mistakes and work towards building a society that values inclusivity. He said, “The Ram temple was a matter of faith, and Hindus believed it should be built. But raising issues about other sites based on hate and animosity is unacceptable.” He stressed that such actions only fuel division and conflict, which undermines India’s unity.
Back to Ancient Values for Social Unity
In his speech, Mohan Bhagwat suggested that the solution to reducing societal friction lies in returning to India’s ancient culture. He pointed out that “extremism, aggressiveness, forcefulness, and insulting others’ gods” do not reflect India’s cultural values. According to Bhagwat, India has no majority or minority — “we all are one,” he asserted. He called for every individual in the country to have the freedom to practice their faith without fear of persecution or disrespect.