NEW DELHI- Everyone living in India is a Hindu, asserted the RSS chiefMohan Bhagwat here in Meerut on Sunday while addressing a huge crowd of RSSworkers, supporters and sympathisers on Sunday.
He also emphasised on unifying Hindus in a situation when West UttarPradesh has seen several caste related clashes and emergence of dalitgroups like Bhim Army since BJP government came in power in the State.
“Every Hindu is my own brother. In India one may follow a different eatinghabits, way of worshipping the gods, philosophy, language and culture. Butall of them are Hindus. There are many who are Hindu but they are not awareof it. Only those who consider Bharat Mata his own mother are true Hindus,”said the RSS chief while addressing a crowd which is estimated to be over alakh.
This was the largest ever gathering of RSS workers in Uttar Pradesh forwhich the organisation was preparing for last one year, something which isbeing interpreted as RSS preparing the ground for the BJP ahead of the 2019General Elections.
While repeatedly treating diversity as a feature of Indian civilisationwhich highlights unity, Mr. Bhagwat said,” Entire world thinks that to beone every one needs to follow the same culture, same way of living but itis in India we talks about Vasudeva Kutumbakam. But all diversity onlyemphasis it’s oneness and the unifying feature of diversity.”
While talking about importance of self-pride in being a Hindu, he said,“Everyone should accept with pride that they are a Hindu. That is why weare one.”
“We Hindu need to be one because taking care of this country is ourresponsibility and we are accountable for that. Since the time immemorialwe have been living here. We need to know how to defend ourselves. Thosewho don’t know how to defend themselves how will they develop. We need tobe ready for that,” Mr. Bhagwat said.
He also claimed that one RSS worker in Raiganj district of West Bengalbecame a martyr while fighting along with the BSF at West Bengal-Bangladeshorder in 1971 war.
Mr. Bhagwat raised the issue of being a “kattar Hindu (hardcore Hindu)” andsaid “being a kattar Hindu means udarta (being liberal)”.