RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's Message On Gyanvapi

At an event held in Nagpur, RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat sent out the message of building a strong India for the greater good. He highlighted that the Indian civilisational ethos has stood for the welfare of all and not to further one’s selfish ends, a mindset that has come to define global realities.

Bhagwat, while speaking on the Gyanvapi case, asked both Hindus and Muslims to solve the matter through discussions. However, if that is not an option, then the Court’s decision should be respected by both parties, said the RSS chief.

He added that history cannot be changed. It has not been made up by Hindus or Muslims of today. Islam was brought by invaders. They demolished thousands of Hindu temples to destroy the morale of those demanding freedom from their barbarity.

Among the places of worship that were desecrated, there are a few places which hold special value to the Hindu community. Bhagwat said that Muslims should not think that Hindus are claiming these places out of spite against them. Hindu places of worship were attacked only to inflict hurt on the natives. Considering the malice behind the cruel act, Hindus think these places of worship should be restored to their original glory.

Bhagwat, in his speech, tried to place the Hindu claim to Gyanvapi in perspective by underlining that the desecration of sacred places of worship at the hands of Islamic invaders has left an imprint on the psyche of Hindus, which cannot be brushed aside.

However, he also tried to strike a conciliatory note by appealing to the Hindu side to not look for ‘shivling in every mosque’. In his speech, Bhagwat mooted the point of Hindus and Muslim's common ancestry. He said that merely adopting a manner of worship, i.e. foreign, does not change one’s eternal link to the nation. Both Hindus and Muslims need to understand it.

The RSS, he said, joined the Ram Janambhoomi movement due to certain historical reasons, going against its nature. But it does not intend to start another movement for the restoration of Devasthans. But if there are unresolved issues, they are bound to get raised and must be resolved amicably.

RSS chief’s speech must be seen in a larger civilisational context and as a blueprint to expand India’s global influence, which is impacted by how well India can exercise a principled approach toward international peace while wielding power and strengthening unity between its diverse people bound by undeniable historical ties.

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