RSS chief jabs aspiring 'leaders of Hindus' over temple-mosque disputes
RSS chief jabs aspiring 'leaders of Hindus' over temple-mosque disputes
M.U.H
20/12/202433
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday took a jibe at aspiring Hindu leaders for stirring up "Ram-temple-like" disputes at various places across India.
He said that India should be set as an example of inclusivity and harmony.
Calling attention to India's pluralistic society, the RSS chief said that Christmas is observed in Swami Ramakrishnan Mission, emphasising that "only we can do this because we are Hindus”.
“We have been living in harmony for a long time. If we want to provide this harmony to the world, we need to create a model of it. After the construction of the Ram Mandir, some people think they can become leaders of Hindus by raking up similar issues in new places. This is not acceptable,” he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI in its report.
He said that Ayodhya's Ram temple was built since it was a matter of faith for all Hindus, shunning any political motivation.
Without naming any sites, he said, “Every day a new matter (dispute) is being raked up. How can this be allowed? This cannot continue. India needs to show that we can live together."
Speaking in Pune as a part of a lecture series on the "Vishwaguru Bharat" theme, the RSS Chief said that Indians should learn from previous mistakes and work towards making their country a role model for the world.
Recently, several demands for surveys of mosques to uncover hidden temples have been brought before the courts, although Bhagwat did not specify any in his lecture.
He also said that certain external groups have brought with them a firm resolve, seeking to restore their former rule.
“But now the country runs as per the Constitution. In this setup, people choose their representatives who run the government. The days of hegemony are gone,” he said.
Drawing two parallel examples from the Mughal Empire, the RSS Chief said that though Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was identified by his unyielding adherence, however, his descendant Bahadur Shah Zafar in 1857 prohibited cow slaughter.
“It was decided that Ram Mandir in Ayodhya should be given to Hindus, but the British sensed it and created a rift between the two communities. Since then, this sense of ‘algavwad’ (separatism) came into being. As a result, Pakistan came into existence,” he said.
The RSS chief questioned the "language of dominance," saying, What is its purpose if everyone identifies themselves as Indians?
“Who is a minority, and who is a majority? Everyone is equal here. The tradition of this nation is that all can follow their own forms of worship. The only requirement is to live in harmony and abide by rules and laws,” he said.
Slamming Mohan Bhagwat's remarks on the temple-mosque dispute, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav referred to the death of 5 people in Sambhal, and said, "When five people lost their lives in Sambhal and many others were humiliated, they are now saying every temple should not be excavated. The BJP should at least withdraw the false cases filed in Sambhal. Lives cannot be returned, but false cases can be taken back."
