Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Bhagwat Outlines RSS’s Long-Term Global Interfaith Outreach Strategy
Mohan Bhagwat, the leader of the RSS, spoke to religious leaders in New York.
He said people can follow different religions while still belonging to one human family.
He urged people to respect and protect religious differences.
He said talking with other faiths is important, but helping people should happen at the same time.
The RSS says its volunteers serve people without asking which religion they follow.
Bhagwat said communities should begin this work locally instead of depending mainly on politicians.
He believes strong public agreement can eventually influence government decisions.
He also said the effort should spread from local areas to larger regions.
Bhagwat warned that building trust and changing habits will take a long time.
Mohan Bhagwat pledged the RSS’s support for international efforts promoting interfaith cooperation.
At a New York gathering, he said religious diversity should be accepted, respected and protected.
Bhagwat urged communities to combine interfaith dialogue with non-discriminatory service.
He said social movements should build public consensus before seeking to influence government policy.
Bhagwat called for local cooperation across provinces, districts and blocks, while warning that progress would take time.
- Who
- RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat and more than 180 participants, including religious leaders from 30 countries.
- What
- Bhagwat presented the RSS’s support for global interfaith dialogue, service and local cooperation.
- When
- At a gathering held during the RSS’s centenary year in 2025; he also referred to dialogue begun after a 2018 Delhi meeting.
- Where
- The “One World, One Humanity” programme in New York, with the proposed community work extending across India and other countries.
- Why
- To promote religious harmony, reduce mistrust and conflict, and build public consensus capable of influencing policy.
- Programme
- One World, One Humanity
- Location
- New York
- Participation
- More than 180 participants from 30 countries
- Core principle
- Religious diversity should be accepted, respected and protected.
- Proposed method
- Combine interfaith dialogue with service and begin cooperation within local communities.
- RSS service projects
- Bhagwat said RSS volunteers, with societal support, operate 130,000 projects of different sizes.
- RSS history
- Founded by K.B. Hedgewar in Nagpur in 1925; it completed its centenary in 2025.
- Leadership
- Mohan Bhagwat has served as RSS chief, or Sarsanghchalak, since 2009.
