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RSS Chief Bhagwat Meets PM Modi After Pahalgam Terror Attack

April 30, 2025, 1:18 pm

In an extremely rare move, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence on Tuesday. The meeting lasted for over an hour. According to Sangh sources, this was the first time Bhagwat visited PM Modi since he took office in 2014.

Meeting Follows Pahalgam Attack

This high-level meeting took place shortly after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. In that incident, armed militants targeted civilians and tourists, causing national outrage. The attack has stirred deep anger and fear across the country.

Sangh Expresses Pain and Support

Sources familiar with the meeting said Bhagwat conveyed the “deep anguish” of the Sangh Parivar over the attack. He highlighted growing concern within the Hindu community. He also assured the Prime Minister of the Sangh’s full support in handling the aftermath of the attack.

“This was not just a courtesy visit,” a senior RSS leader told News18. “The mood on the ground is intense. Hindus are pained and angry. The Sangh believes it’s important to stand by the government but also ensure that public sentiment is understood and channeled responsibly. This is an hour of emergency and that is why Bhagwat-ji met the PM on his own,” he added.

Symbolic and Strategic Message

Bhagwat’s visit carries great symbolic and strategic weight. The RSS has a large grassroots presence and strong ideological influence. It can guide public opinion and help the government manage either widespread anger or calls for restraint.

The government understands this influence. It is reportedly considering its next steps with caution, balancing public emotions with national security needs.

Possible Shift in Government Action

Another senior RSS leader said, “If the government senses a clear and strong public opinion in favour of a decisive retaliatory action, it can move swiftly and strategically in that direction. Public opinion is important.”

Government Monitoring Public Sentiment

Meanwhile, the Centre is quietly assessing the national mood. It is gathering input through both official and informal channels. This includes feedback from Sangh-linked organisations. Officials are trying to understand whether there is support for a tougher policy and how to manage emotions during this sensitive time.

Bhagwat’s visit shows that the RSS is not just observing from the sidelines. Instead, it is playing an active role in shaping the country’s response—both politically and socially.

Kejriwal Writes to RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Over BJP’s Alleged ‘Wrongdoings’

January 1, 2025, 12:41 pm

Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), wrote a letter to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday, accusing the BJP of undermining democracy and indulging in corrupt practices. In his letter, Kejriwal questioned whether the RSS supports the BJP’s alleged actions, including vote-buying and efforts to cut the votes of marginalized groups, such as the poor, Dalits, and slum dwellers, in Delhi. He also asked Bhagwat if the RSS was endorsing such actions ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections.

Kejriwal’s letter included specific allegations that BJP leaders had been distributing money to buy votes and manipulating voter lists to disadvantage certain groups. He asked Bhagwat to clarify the RSS’s stance on these issues, stating that it was crucial for the people of Delhi to understand whether the RSS condoned such actions.

In a swift response, the BJP criticized Kejriwal, with Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva advising the AAP leader to stop lying and making false promises. Sachdeva suggested that Kejriwal should focus on truthfulness and refrain from taking false oaths. He also called on Kejriwal to pledge that he would not accept donations from anti-national forces and make genuine promises to the people of Delhi in the New Year.

The exchange marks an intensifying political battle between AAP and BJP as Delhi’s Assembly elections draw closer, expected to be held before February. Both parties have been trading accusations, with AAP accusing the BJP of vote-buying and voter manipulation, while the BJP retaliates by alleging corruption and false promises by Kejriwal.

Ajmer Sharif Dargah Chief ‘Stop Dividing..’ On Rising Temple-Mosque Disputes

November 29, 2024, 6:51 am

The controversy over Ajmer Sharif Dargah intensified further as Syed Zainul Abidin Ali Khan, the Sajjada Nasheen of the revered shrine, reacted to allegations that term it a Shiva temple. Speaking on Thursday, Khan dismissed such petitions as being driven by “publicity” and “personal interest,” while emphasising that legal procedures would ultimately determine the outcome.

Court Petition Sparks Controversy

The controversy is due to a Rajasthan court accepting a petition filed by the Hindu Sena that claimed the Ajmer Sharif Dargah was originally a Lord Shiva temple. Responding to this, Khan said, “Anyone can approach the court. Evidence will be presented, and the verdict will follow. There is a long way to go in this matter.

Khan further expressed disappointment over the fact that targeting mosques and dargahs is becoming a sort of trend. He mentioned that it was due to personal agendas, and, “It‘s their personal interest. These actions are often made for publicity, and nobody can stop anyone from bringing such cases.”

References to Sambhal Incident

Highlighting the consequences of communal controversies, Khan cited the recent stone-pelting incident in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, which resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including two sole breadwinners of families. He condemned the lack of accountability and described the incident as a significant setback for the affected families.

Criticism of Rising Claims on Religious Sites

The Ajmer Sharif Dargah controversy is part of a broader trend of claims over religious sites across the country. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the judiciary for allegedly ignoring the Places of Worship Act. He accused the BJP and RSS of undermining the nation’s unity and rule of law, stating, “The Modi government and RSS are weakening the brotherhood and governance of this country.”

Syed Naseruddin Chishty, Chairman of the All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council, also voiced concerns about the divisive impact of such incidents. “Every other day, groups claim mosques and dargahs. This is not in the interest of our society. As India emerges as a global power, why are we stuck in these temple-mosque disputes?”

Court Proceedings Continue

On Wednesday, an Ajmer court issued notices to the Dargah Committee, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and the Ministry of Minority Affairs in response to the petition. Advocate Yogesh Siroja, representing the petitioners, confirmed the notices while highlighting his personal connection to the dargah as a descendant of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.

The matter has reignited discussions on religious harmony, with various leaders urging focus on societal progress rather than divisive controversies.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi SupportsMohan Bhagwat’s Concern Over OTT Content Regulation

October 13, 2024, 3:53 pm

A day after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat raised concerns over the lack of control on content in OTT platforms, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi expressed support for the statement, emphasizing that the government shares similar concerns.

Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi assured that the government is already examining the issue of inappropriate content on OTT platforms. “We completely agree with that. This is a worldwide problem. The government will always think about that, and the concerned ministry will take action,” Joshi stated. He added that the authorities are working on the matter based on feedback received from various quarters.

RSS Chief Raises Alarm Over OTT Impact on Youth

In his annual Vijayadashami speech on Saturday in Nagpur, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat voiced apprehension over the negative influence that certain content on OTT platforms is having on children and youth. Bhagwat pointed out that mobile phones have become widely accessible to children, and there is little control over what they watch. He warned that the propagation of poor values through these platforms is damaging the minds of Bharat’s younger generation.

Call for Legal Monitoring and Regulations

Bhagwat highlighted the need for stricter regulations and legal monitoring to curb the “disgusting” content reaching homes through OTT platforms, especially content viewed by children. He urged for laws to be implemented to prevent the spread of perverted visual content and advertisements, stressing that the protection of societal values is a priority.

The RSS chief also noted that while there is a growing sense of self-pride in society, particularly among the youth, there is a pressing need to address the negative effects of unregulated content online.

As the government examines the issue further, the public awaits actions that may potentially regulate and control OTT content to ensure it aligns with decency and cultural values. Further announcements from the concerned ministry are expected in the coming weeks.

2024 Lok Sabha Elections: Modi to Rally for Phase 6 Campaign in Punjab

May 23, 2024, 9:08 am

Ahead of the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are intensifying their campaign efforts. PM Modi is scheduled to address rallies in Haryana’s Bhiwani and Punjab’s Patiala today, while Amit Shah will hold multiple public meetings in Uttar Pradesh.

In Punjab, PM Modi’s visit will include three public rallies, starting with Patiala, followed by Gurdaspur and Jalandhar. However, farmer leaders have announced plans to show black flags during Modi’s visit, expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of their demands.

Meanwhile, Amit Shah will focus on Uttar Pradesh, addressing gatherings in Domariyaganj, Sant Kabir Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar, and Pratapgarh constituencies.

On the other hand, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will be active in Delhi and Haryana. Rahul Gandhi is set to hold roadshows and rallies in North East Delhi and North West Delhi, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will participate in a roadshow in Sirsa and address a rally in Karnal.

Additionally, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is embarking on a six-day visit to Tripura, where he will join a training camp for RSS pracharaks. This visit underscores the RSS’s organizational activities in the northeastern region.

As the campaign intensifies, political leaders are leaving no stone unturned to sway voters ahead of the crucial sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections polling on May 25.

Mohan Bhagwat, the head of the RSS, will visit Jind, Haryana, for three days starting today

January 12, 2024, 9:52 am

Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), will visit Jind in Haryana for three days starting on Friday. The state’s Sangh campaigners will meet with the head of the RSS, according to sources, to talk about ways to fortify the organization in Haryana. The sources stated that the RSS chief will be lodging at Gopal School on Bhiwani Road while in Jind. The sources added that until his tour is through, only a limited number of people would be permitted entry into the school. The sources added that the head of the RSS will not meet with the media.

Bhupesh Baghel: Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks on Manipur contradicts stance of Modi government

October 25, 2023, 1:52 pm

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel of Chhattisgarh claimed on Wednesday that there is a contradiction between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mohan Bhagwat’s statements, a day after the chief of the Rashtriya Samita Samita asked if radicals from across the border were among those who committed violence in Manipur. While the RSS chief was drawing attention to the involvement of outside forces, Baghel stated that the BJP government maintains that borders are secure under its control.

“On one hand, there is our Vishwaguru who says that Indian borders are safe. On the other hand, our Mohan Bhagwat says that external forces are involved in it. There are contradictions in the words of Modi ji and Bhagwat,” Baghel told reporters.
Mohan Bhagwat, while addressing the annual Dussehra rally in Nagpur on Tuesday, hinted at the role of external elements behind the unrest in Manipur.
“If we look at the current situation of Manipur, this fact becomes obvious. How did this mutual discord and hatred suddenly erupt in Manipur, which had been peaceful for almost a decade? Were there extremists from across the border also among those who committed violence? Why, and by whom, was an attempt made to give a communal tinge to this mutual conflict between the Manipuri Meitei and Kuki communities, who were apprehensive about the future of their existence?” Bhagwat asked.

The head of the RSS questioned why, despite the state government’s desire to uphold the peace that had ruled for the previous nine years, the violence had broken out and persisted.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat highlights India’s G20 presidency at ‘Vijayadashmi Utsav’ ceremony

October 24, 2023, 11:08 am

Leading Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Mohan Bhagwat, highlighted India’s successful hosting of the G20 summit on Tuesday during a function held at ‘Vijayadashmi Utsav’ in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

The RSS chief pointed out that India’s leadership gave the country a place in the world.
“Every year, India’s pride is increasing in the world. The G 20 summit held here (in India) was special. The hospitality of Indians was praised. People from different countries experienced our diversity. They saw our diplomatic skills as well as our honest goodwill. Our leadership gave India a place in the world,” Mohan Bhagwat said while speaking at the event.
India took over the G20 presidency on December 1 last year at the summit in Bali and will continue to hold the mantle till the end of November.

The head of the RSS also voiced criticism towards those he claimed were impeding India’s progress.

“…There are some people in the world and in also India who do not want that India should move forward… They try to create factions and clashes in society. Because of our unawareness and lack of belief, we also sometimes get entangled in it, and unnecessary nuisances are created…If India progresses, they will not be able to play their games; therefore, they continuously oppose. They adopt particular ideologies just for the sake of opposing” the RSS Chief said.

Mohan Bhagwat : India needs to be capable to enlighten the world

August 15, 2023, 12:28 pm

Mohan Bhagwat, the leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), stressed the importance of enhancing India’s capabilities on Tuesday, saying that because of its cultural characteristics and technical prowess, the nation can serve as a model for the rest of the world. On the 77th anniversary of Independence Day, Mohan Bhagwat raised the national flag in Bengaluru and declared that defending freedom is an ongoing process. Based on the messages conveyed by the Tricolor, he said, the nation must advance and take the lead in the world. He issued a warning against forces that oppose India’s advancement.

“India has to be capable to enlighten the world. There are forces at work who want to impede India’s progress. We need to be alert, cautious and work on the basis of the message given by the national flag and bring the nation together so that negative forces are not successful,” he said.
The RSS chief said India can teach the world based on attributes of “knowledge, action, devotion, purity and prosperity”.
The event was organised by Samartha Bharat.
“We worship the Sun, hence we are called Bharat, in which Bha signifies Light. Surya Aradhana is a meaningful event on the occasion of Independence Day. Bharat attained independence to enlighten the world,” Mohan Bhagwat said.

He cited a Sanskrit verse about “swatantra (independent)” and claimed that, in addition to admiration for knowledge, understanding the significance of the national flag is necessary to fulfill the country’s role in the world.

RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat said ‘India will be future superpower’

April 19, 2023, 4:00 pm

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has stressed that India will be a “future superpower” and that power is a necessity for the country to lead the world.

The RSS chief’s remarks came while addressing the harmony lecture series organized on the occasion of the completion of 723 years of Prakashotsav of Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Ji on Tuesday. He said that India’s power will not be to trouble others but to protect the weak.

“We will not conquer others, we will not convert anyone. India is going to become Vishwaguru and we have to achieve that goal”, he added.Earlier on April 16, Bhagwat said that India will become ‘vishwaguru’ only by following the path of religion and will show the path to the world.

Bhagwat was addressing the Dharma Sanskriti Sabha in Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur.
“India will become vishwaguru only by following the path of religion. If we all keep following the religion, then in the coming 20-30 years, India will become the vishwaguru who will show the world a new path,” Bhagwat said.

He said that religion means the feeling of the welfare of the whole world.
“We have to fulfil our duty by following the path of truth. India does not have to become a superpower but has to teach religion to the world. People of different languages, sects and religions live in India. Despite being different, we know that entire creation is one. That’s why we are Hindus. We have to take everyone along with mutual respect for each other,” he said.

Jaipur: Mohan Bhagwat to inaugurate ‘Rashtriya Seva Sangam’ on 7 April

March 26, 2023, 5:41 pm

Mohan Bhagwat, the leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), will travel to Jaipur on April 7 to launch a programme called Rashtriya Seva Sangam which was put together by a branch of the RSS called Rashtriya Seva Bharti.
In Jaipur, Seva Sangam will be held on April 7th, 8th, and 9th. Several saints from all across the nation, including Swami Maheshwaranand Maharaj will attend the Sangam in addition to Sarsangh Chalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat, Shiv Lehri, Seva pramukh of the RSS in Rajasthan, spoke to the media. He added that Rashtriya Seva Bharti is engaged in numerous endeavours that contribute to the advancement of society.

“More than 25,000 people were employed by Seva Bharti last year. Additionally, the group works tirelessly in fields including productivity, health, skill advancement and women’s empowerment. An organisation called Sewa Bharti promotes and aids nonprofits that help the underprivileged, needy, neglected, and suffering brothers. Our mission is to help everyone find employment and become self-sufficient ” he stated.
He further noted that the event is likely to draw well over 4,000 representatives.

“Rashtriya Seva Bharti hosts Rashtriya Seva Sangam every five years. The initial Seva Sangam was held in Bangalore in 2010. There were 980 delegates present. The second Seva Sangam took place in New Delhi in 2015. Samras Bharat, Samarth Bharat was the event’s theme. The third Seva Sangam will take place in Jaipur with a total attendance of 3,500 delegates. The event will be attended by more than 4,000 delegates from more than 1000 service groups operating in the social sector around the nation ” he said.

RSS chief Bhagwat is to be in Jaipur for 5 days

January 21, 2023, 11:15 am

Rashtriya Sawayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat will be on a five-day visit from 25 January to 29 January. RSS Chief Bhagwat will participate in various programs and meetings related to the Sangh. Meanwhile, it is expected that on 26 January RSS chief will participate in the Republic Day program at Keshav Vidyapeeth, where he will unfurl the flag, on 27 January Bhagwat will host a meeting; and on 28 January and 29 January Bhagwat will attend the meeting of Sangh workers.

RSS Chief to attend Subhash Chandra Bose’s Birth Anniversary.

January 16, 2023, 3:32 pm

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief, Mohan Bhagwat will address a meeting at Shaheed Minar Ground in Kolkata on 23^rd January, the birth anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose. Mohan Bhagwat Singh will be giving an important message on sensitive issues like amended citizenship law, and birth control bill. Preparations for this meeting are going on in full swing. He will also talk about Netaji’s ideology and vision and how he fought for the freedom of the country.

Ahead of Diwali, RSS member Indresh Kumar visits Nizamuddin Dargah

October 23, 2022, 3:58 pm

Ahead of Diwali festival, Indresh Kumar, a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) National Executive and a patron of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch, visited the Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah in New Delhi on Saturday and lit earthen lamps inside the shrine’s ground.

Muslim Rashtriya Manch, the Muslim branch of the RSS, urged for progress and peace in the nation, according to media reports.

Indresh Kumar, the leader of the RSS, arrived at Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi yesterday. At the dargah of Sufi saints, he offered flowers and chadar.

“The festival of Diwali is celebrated in the world including India. It brings happiness and prosperity to every household. This festival erases all the religious differences and the differences between the provinces. India is a land of pilgrimages, festivals, and fairs. All of them give bread to the poor and increase brotherhood among themselves. He said that every festival teaches us that we do not want bigotry, malice, hatred, riots, or war. We want peace, harmony, and brotherhood,” Indresh Kumar said.

“No one should be forced to convert and do violence. Everyone should follow their own religion and caste. Do not criticize and insult other’s religions. When all religions are respected in the country, then the country will be free from the fundamentalists who make stone pelting on Friday. India is the only country that respects and accepts all religions,” he added.

Indresh Kumar previously went to visit Dr. Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Chief Imam of the All India Imam Organization, in September with RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat. In the national capital earlier that day, the RSS chief also paid a visit to a Masjid and a Madarsa.

BJP leader calls Owaisi ‘Bayan Purush’, for remarks on Muslim population

October 9, 2022, 2:35 pm

BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain on Sunday slammed the AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi over the latter’s remarks on population and called him a “Bayan Purush”.

“Asaduddin Owaisi has become ‘Bayan Purush’. He wants to create a controversy. A low population is beneficial for society,” said Hussain. The remarks came after Owaisi asked RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to “not fret” as the Muslim population was “rather declining” in the country, asserting that Indian Muslims were the ones using contraceptives the most.

The BJP leader also gave his take on the population and said, “The more the population grows, the bigger the problem it creates. That should be kept in mind. ” A war of words started after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat called for a comprehensive population policy to ensure that the rising population do not become a burden but can be used as a resource.

Responding to the statement, Owaisi said, “Don’t fret. The Muslim population is not increasing. It’s rather falling… Who’s using condoms the most? We are. “Mohan Bhagwat won’t speak on this.”

Owaisi also called out a recent viral video in which members of a minority community were purportedly beaten by police officials on the streets. “You could have taken them to the police station. But you chose to rip off their esteem and hit them directly in the streets. In a nation of 133 crores where 30 crores Muslims exist, the dignity of a Muslim is lesser than a streetside dog,” he added.

On 5^th October, the RSS chief inaugurated the annual Dussehra celebrations and stressed the application of the population policy equally. He said, “It is true that the higher the population, the greater the burden. If the population is used properly, it becomes a resource. We also have to consider how many people our country can feed and support after 50 years. Population imbalance leads to changes in geographical boundaries. “

He also advocated giving equal rights to women. “Considering a woman as the mother is good, but restricting them to closed doors is not good. There is a need to give equal rights to women to take decisions everywhere. All the work that the mother power can do that man cannot do, they have so much power. And therefore it is important to enlighten, and empower them and give them the freedom to work and give equal participation in the work in this way,” he said.

Recently, Mohan Bhagwat met Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, chief Imam of the All India Imam Organisation, in a mosque in New Delhi and discussed ways to promote communal harmony in the country.

Owaisi attacks RSS chief on targeting Muslims, fueling communal polarisation

October 9, 2022, 11:37 am

Asaduddin Owaisi, the leader of AIMIM and a member of parliament from Hyderabad, stated that RSS chairman Mohan Bhagwat is concerned about India’s population but will never speak on the ‘truth’ that Muslims use condoms the most.

“The Muslim population is not at all increasing. Why are you concerned for no reason? The Muslim population is declining,” Owaisi responed to Mohan Bhagwat’s Dusshera speech in which he targeted Muslim community in the name of community-based imbalance.” At his Dasshera speech, Bhagwat said that alongside the differences in birth rate, conversions by force lure or greed and infiltration are also big reasons.

“Please don’t take tension. The Muslim population is on the decline. The gap between two children is called spacing. Do you know who is maintaining that the most? The Muslims. Who is using condoms the most? We are doing. But Mogan Bhagwat won’t speak on this. I am giving facts. The population is not increasing, Mohan Bhagwat Saab. Please stick to data while sticking,” Owaisi said.

We should examine what transpired in China as we attempt to regulate the population. That nation adopted a one-child policy, and as a result, it is ageing.“With 57 crore youth population in India, we will remain a young nation for next 30 years,” Bhagwat said. “However, what will happen to India after 50 years? Will we have enough food to feed the population?” he added.

The chief minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, responded angrily to Mohan Bhagwat’s remark about population control, claiming that the remarks were intended to inflame communal polarisation.”RSS Chief’s statement that there is a religion-based imbalance in India’s population is baseless and aimed at fueling communal polarisation in the country. Secular and democratic forces must expose this vicious move and stand firm against communal bigotry,” he said.

Owaisi also slammed Mohan Bhagwat’s remark, tweeting that there shouldn’t be any imbalance since Hindus and Muslims have the same “DNA.”

“If Hindus & Muslims have “same DNA” then where’s the imbalance? There’s no need for population control as we’ve already achieved replacement rate. The worry is an ageing population & unemployed youth who cannot support elderly. Muslims have sharpest decline in fertility rate,” Owaisi tweeted.

“For Mohan, it is Annual Day of Dog Whistles and Hate Speech. Fear-mongering over ‘population imbalance’ has resulted in genocide, ethnic cleansing & hate crimes across the world. Kosovo was created after a genocide of Albanian Muslims by Serbian nationalists,” he tweeted earlier.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat meets chief imam, decided to work for communal harmony

September 22, 2022, 12:40 pm

Mohan Bhagwat, RSS chief, met with Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, the top imam of the All India Imam Organization, on Thursday. The meeting is a component of the RSS’s ongoing efforts to reach out to leaders of different communities and religions.

An RSS functionary claims that the meeting in the mosque in the nation’s capital was part of the Sangh’s efforts to engage with individuals from other societal groups.

The Sangh chief stressed the need for harmony across all cultures and faiths during a meeting with Muslim community representatives, according to media reports on Tuesday.

Five prominent Muslims, including SY Quraishi, a former election commissioner, and Najeeb Jung, a former Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, met with Bhagwat to discuss developing a plan to promote peace and communal harmony.

The two sides have agreed to identify points of contention that demand attention before a meeting with representatives of other faiths.

According to a person privy to the meeting that took place three weeks ago, while the five representatives’ side protested against references to Muslims as terrorists and Pakistanis, RSS officials emphasised how offensive it is to refer to Hindus as Kafirs or unbelievers.

One of the attendees at the meeting said a plan was being made to put an end to conflict and settle concerns that have been brewing for years.

He claimed that this was being done to guarantee that internal security and communal peace were not jeopardised.

RSS Sarsanghachalak meets people from all walks of life. It’s part of the continuous general “Samvad” process,” said Sunil Ambekar, Sangh’s Prachar Pramukh.

Bhagwat to release book on Gandhi being the ‘biggest Hindu patriot’

January 1, 2021, 4:06 am

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will release a book hailing Mahatma Gandhi as the “biggest Hindu patriot” on 1 January. Union ministers Prahlad Patel and V. Muraleedharan will also be present during the release ceremony of the book, Making of a Hindu Patriot, written by J.K. Bajaj and M.D. Srinivas, at Rajghat here.

Bhagwat had also released a book in February this year, appealing to build Gandhi’s dream of India. Bhagwat had said, “Gandhiji had many times described himself as a staunch ‘Sanatani Hindu’. He was never ashamed of being a Hindu himself.”

Bajaj is the founding director of the Centre for Policy Studies and a member of the Indian Council of Social Science Research, and is also a member of the commission constituted by the central government to subclass the OBCs. Srinivas is the founder president of the Centre for Policy Studies.

Talking to news agency IANS, Bajaj said, “Gandhiji was a born Hindu, but he became a strong Hindu in the days of his experience in South Africa. What is it like to be a Hindu? He learned this during his struggle in South Africa. Gandhiji openly used to say—‘My patriotism is increasing and this patriotism originates from my religion’.”

Bajaj said that Gandhi refused when Christian and Muslim friends tried to convert him while living in South Africa. During this time he started an in-depth study about Sanatan Dharma which further strengthened his Hindu identity.

The book gives the background of Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj. There are many interesting details ranging from the development of Gandhi’s personality and the campaigns he undertook during his stay in South Africa. The book also narrates the story of how Gandhi’s developed ‘Satyagraha’ at the historic meeting on 11 September 1906 at the Empire Theatre in Johannesburg. The chapter titled ‘The South African Jail Diary’ also tells the story of the torture in prison endured by Gandhi and his supporters.

The book also describes the correspondence between the great Russian writer and philosopher Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi. The book states that it was Tolstoy who first gave Mahatma Gandhi the title of ‘Hindu Patriot’.

The book claims Tolstoy was a fan of all aspects of Gandhi except his ‘Hindu patriotism’. It also has information about two meetings held in July 1914 during Gandhi’s arrival from South Africa in which he received the title of ‘Patriot Mahatma’.