Mohan Bhagwat’s Hindutva is not narrow. Are his words in New York heard in India?

The RSS chief, Mohan Bhagwat, delivered a New York speech in which his Hindutva ideology was perceived as not being narrow. The protesters who opposed the event have been criticized for their disservice to free speech, which necessitates the expression of all views, even those that may be repulsive to some. Bhagwat clarified his concept of Hindutva, emphasizing diversity as the defining feature of Indian civilization, a stance distinct from the classical Hindutva propagated by V D Savarkar.

Bhagwat's words on August 29 at Madison Square Garden are not an abrupt change of heart but rather a consistent message he has been communicating for some time. There have been instances where he has contradicted himself, such as claiming that Hindus have been at war with Muslims for over a thousand years or that Muslims deliberately increase their population. These statements have been used by liberals to claim that the RSS has not changed and Bhagwat's positive statements on diversity and Muslims are for optics.

Despite the distrust, it is essential to consider the ramifications of Bhagwat's statements. He remains the most authoritative voice for Hindutva, and in his speech, he repeated a thought he has often articulated: "If a Hindu thinks that there should be no Muslim in Bharat, he will not remain Hindu. If you want to call yourself Hindu, you must believe that all paths are leading to the same goal and every human has dignity."

Bhagwat also affirmed that Muslims are equal citizens of the country, contradicting the historical distinction made by Hindutva forces between "indigenous" and Abrahamic religions.

Bhagwat has been engaging in dialogue with Muslims and Christians since 2018, challenging the "othering" project of hate mongers and asserting that "where there is 'me' and 'mine', there is no solution. 'We' and 'ours' are the solution." He has also acknowledged the fear experienced by many Indian Muslims due to the aggressive behavior of Hindutva supporters and urged them not to get trapped in the cycle of fear.

Bhagwat's message of oneness of humanity is consistent with his earlier statements, and there is hope that he will use his influence to restore sanity, tolerance, and accommodation in the face of hate and othering.