Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), said a Hindu who wants no Muslims in Bharat is not a Hindu [1].
The statement addresses long-standing global and domestic debates regarding the inclusive or exclusive nature of Hindutva and the vision of a Hindu nation.
Speaking Saturday, Aug. 29 [1], at the "One World: One Humanity Faith Leaders' Summit" [3], Bhagwat addressed a crowd at Madison Square Garden in New York City [2]. He said that religious and cultural diversity are essential components of human existence. During the event, he said that the concept of a Hindu nation does not necessitate the exclusion of other faiths [1].
"If a Hindu thinks there should be no Muslims in Bharat, he may not remain a Hindu," Bhagwat said [3].
He said that the essence of Hindutva is not based on the removal of others. He said that excluding Muslims is not Hindutva, adding that all paths lead to God and humanity is one [1]. This framing suggests that those who advocate for the removal of Muslims from India are operating outside the actual tenets of the faith.
Bhagwat also spoke on the nature of spiritual truth. He said that truth is one but is termed differently due to human limitations [1]. By highlighting these universalities, the RSS chief sought to promote unity and oneness among humanity, countering the notion that a Hindu should exclude Muslims from the Indian subcontinent [1].
The address took place in the U.S., where the RSS chief sought to project a version of Hindutva that embraces all faiths as part of a shared human experience [1].
“"If a Hindu thinks there should be no Muslims in Bharat, he may not remain a Hindu."”
This rhetoric represents a strategic effort by the RSS leadership to soften the international perception of Hindutva. By explicitly decoupling the goal of a Hindu-centric identity from the exclusion of religious minorities, Bhagwat is attempting to frame the movement as a cultural and spiritual philosophy rather than a political tool for marginalization.
