At London event, Mohan Bhagwat says uniformity not necessary for unity

At a recent event in London, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat emphasized that the concept of "Hindu Rashtra" is not contingent upon religion, worship, or lifestyle, but rather on the acceptance of diversity. He argued that "uniformity is not necessary for unity". This statement marks part of the RSS's global outreach during its centenary year, aiming to provide the "right" perspective about its organization and work.

Bhagwat previously held similar events in New York and Toronto. During a question-and-answer session, he clarified that the term "Hindu" cannot be understood based on religious practices or lifestyle. Instead, he described it as a "nature" that respects and accepts all diversities. He acknowledged that various thoughts, including atheism, have emerged from Bharat. Bhagwat urged people to respect each other's paths to the same goal, emphasizing that everyone is right, not just the speaker.

He drew a clear distinction between "nation" and "rashtra," stating that a "nation" is a state where people unite based on similarities such as language, religion, or governance model. In contrast, "rashtra" is characterized by a shared purpose. He explained that the Hindu Rashtra aims to convey this to the world, asserting that diversity is natural and unity is truth. He highlighted that India has remained a "rashtra" despite invasions and enslavement, emphasizing that a unified purpose prevents dictatorship and war.

When asked about the inspiration he draws from the current generation, Bhagwat expressed greater confidence in future generations who seek to make the world better and are willing to set aside petty differences. He advised young people to be given a purpose and necessary knowledge "without imposing a method on them" and emphasized that the young people would find their own path to achieve this goal "quicker than others".

Addressing British Hindus, Bhagwat suggested that they would not conflict if they were "pucca Hindus". However, if British and Indian interests diverged, he acknowledged that British Hindus would naturally side with Britain. He reiterated that Hindutva does not ask one to betray their "karmabhoomi". Finally, when asked about the essence of Hindu unity, Bhagwat stressed on recognizing commonalities rather than differences, encouraging people to focus on what unites them rather than what divides them.