Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), said the LGBTQ+ community are human beings who deserve dignity and social inclusion.
This statement marks a notable point of discourse for the RSS, a powerful nationalist organization in India, as it navigates the intersection of traditional values and evolving human rights standards. By affirming the fundamental humanity of LGBTQ+ individuals, Bhagwat addresses a community that has historically faced systemic ostracism.
Speaking in Hyderabad on Sunday, Bhagwat said the LGBTQ+ community is part of society [1]. He said that these individuals have the right to live without being cast out by their peers or families. "They are human beings too," Bhagwat said [2].
While the RSS chief upheld the dignity of identity, he maintained a more cautious position regarding the legal and social frameworks of same-sex marriage. The distinction suggests a philosophy that separates the inherent value and rights of the individual from the institutional definition of marriage.
Bhagwat also addressed the characteristics of younger generations during the event. He said specifically about Gen Z, describing them as emotional and adaptable [1]. However, he said that this demographic often does not think with a calm mind [1].
The address in Hyderabad focused on broad social issues and the necessity of treating all members of society with respect. By framing the LGBTQ+ community as an integral part of the social fabric, Bhagwat sought to align the organization's perspective with a basic standard of human dignity [1], [2].
“"They are human beings too."”
Bhagwat's comments reflect a strategic attempt to balance the RSS's conservative ideological roots with the modern social realities of India. By advocating for 'dignity' and 'inclusion' while remaining cautious about marriage, the RSS is carving out a position that supports individual civil existence without necessarily endorsing a full overhaul of traditional family structures.
