3 days ago
Bhagwat’s US Diversity Message Draws Opposition Doublespeak Charge
Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS chief, spoke about India’s diversity at events in New York.
More than 6,000 Indian-American community members and interfaith leaders attended one event.
He said unity in diversity is part of Bharat’s identity.
He also said diversity should be celebrated, respected and accepted.
Bhagwat said a Hindu who believes there should be no Muslims in Bharat would not remain a Hindu.
Opposition parties said his words sounded different from the actions and statements they associate with the RSS and BJP.
They asked him to share the same message with political leaders and groups in India.
BJP leaders defended him and said tolerance is an important part of Hinduism.
The disagreement is mainly about whether Bhagwat’s words overseas match conduct in India.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said unity in diversity is part of Bharat’s DNA.
He urged people to celebrate, respect and accept diversity, including Muslims and other communities.
Bhagwat made the remarks at events in New York attended by more than 6,000 people.
Opposition parties accused him of using different language abroad and at home.
BJP leaders praised the remarks as an expression of Hinduism’s emphasis on tolerance.
- Who
- RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat made the remarks; Opposition and BJP leaders responded.
- What
- Bhagwat called for unity in diversity and said diversity should be celebrated, respected and accepted.
- Where
- At the Universal Oneness Celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York, and at the One World: One Humanity Faith Leaders’ Summit.
- When
- Bhagwat addressed the New York events on Saturday; opposition reactions were reported on Sunday.
- Why
- Bhagwat was discussing Hinduism, unity and diversity; Opposition leaders challenged what they described as a gap between his overseas remarks and conduct or statements in India.
Bhagwat and BJP Supporters
Opposition Critics
Meaning of diversity
Bhagwat and BJP Supporters
Bhagwat said Bharat’s unity in diversity should be celebrated, respected and accepted. BJP leaders said the message reflected Hinduism’s commitment to tolerance.
Opposition Critics
Opposition leaders said the message should include concrete acceptance of Muslims, Christians, Dalits and other minorities in India.
Consistency between words and actions
Bhagwat and BJP Supporters
BJP leaders presented Bhagwat’s remarks as an explanation of what Hinduism and Hindutva mean.
Opposition Critics
Opposition leaders accused Bhagwat of speaking in an acceptable way overseas while remaining silent about, or failing to condemn, statements and actions they said promote hatred in India.
Message to political and affiliated groups
Bhagwat and BJP Supporters
BJP leaders said Bhagwat had given an important message that everyone living in India should stay together.
Opposition Critics
Opposition leaders asked Bhagwat to convey the same message to BJP leaders and groups including the VHP and Bajrang Dal, citing alleged hostility toward Muslims and Christians.
Key facts
- Speaker
- Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
- Main message
- Unity in diversity is in Bharat’s DNA, and diversity should be celebrated, respected and accepted.
- Additional remark
- Bhagwat said a Hindu who believes there should be no Muslims in Bharat would not remain a Hindu.
- Audience
- More than 6,000 members of the Indian-American community and interfaith leaders
- Venue
- Madison Square Garden, New York; the article also refers to the Infosys Theatre
- Opposition response
- Congress, Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, AIMIM, CPI(M) and other leaders accused Bhagwat of doublespeak or inconsistency.
- BJP response
- BJP leaders praised the remarks and described tolerance as a fundamental aspect of Hindutva.
Quotes
Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra chief minister and BJP leader defending Bhagwat’s message
“if any Hindu thinks that there should be no Muslims in Bharat, he will not remain a Hindu.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Tolerance runs in the blood of Hindus, and it is a fundamental aspect of Hindutva”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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