Acceptance of diversity is our culture: Mohan Bhagwat at RSS event

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday deplored the brouhaha over inviting former President Pranab Mukherjee for an RSS event. “We have invited a number of people in the past, irrespective of our ideology. It is our tradition to invite. Those who can, come. We listen to what they have to say and try to follow their suggestions,” he said.

The RSS chief said that the Sangh respects India’s pluralism and diversity of different cultures of religions and communities.

Speaking at the Reshimbaug Grounds at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur where former Mukherjee was invited, Bhagwat, who usually speaks last, broke tradition to speak before Mukherjee.



Bhagwat said that the RSS was not about creation of a specific group. “We invite people with different and diverse ideologies. This is a natural process. We can have discussions in this manner… Questions such as why we invited Pranab Mukherjee or why he accepted the invitation are irrelevant.” Drawing a distinction between the guest and host he said, “he is Pranab Mukherjee, we are the RSS.”

Bhagwat said that the Sangh wanted to take everyone along for nationbuilding. There is no outsider. How can you live in a country and treat people differently,” he asked.

Aware that Mukherjee would speak on pluralism and diversity of Indian culture, Bhagwat said, “our country is known for its distinctness, this is our feature. All those who are born here are the children of this country.” Bhagwat also spoke of how different thoughts and ideologies came into existence due to different kingdoms and conquests. “Everyone is different, we have accepted all this. Acceptance of diversity has been our culture.”

Bhagwat said the RSS was trying to inculcate probity and values in public life and believed that everyone in the country was equal. “We are all equals, some fear that if they agree with us it would be damaging for them. There is no enemy.” Bhagwat said RSS was involved in nation-building and that it would not rest till it achieves it. “The RSS does selfless service, we believe that all countrymen are ours, we believe in compassion. We walk the path of truth. Those who want to check whether what I am saying is true can inspect the Sangh. Everyone is welcome. One can form whatever opinion after that.”