RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday clarified that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) welcomes people from all faiths, including Muslims and Christians, provided they identify themselves as part of a unified Hindu society and come “as sons of Bharat Mata.” His remarks were made during an internal interactive session where Bhagwat addressed a range of questions on religion, politics, and the Sangh’s philosophy.
When asked directly whether Muslims are allowed to join the RSS, Bhagwat replied, “No Brahmin is allowed in Sangh. No other caste is allowed in the Sangh. No Muslim is allowed, no Christian is allowed in the Sangh… Only Hindus are allowed.” He immediately clarified that this does not imply exclusion based on religion but rather inclusion based on shared cultural identity. “Muslims and Christians can come to the Sangh, but they should leave their separateness outside. Their special qualities are welcome. But when they come inside the shakha, they come as sons of Bharat Mata, as members of this Hindu society,” he said.
Bhagwat explained that the Sangh’s idea of “Hindu” is civilisational, not theological, encompassing anyone who regards India as their motherland and identifies with its culture. “The Sangh does not ask the religion or caste of anyone attending its daily shakhas,” he said. “Muslims come to shakha, Christians come to shakha, as do people from all castes of what is called the Hindu society. But we do not count them, nor do we ask who they are. We are all sons of Bharat Mata. That is how the Sangh works.”
His comments were an attempt to restate the RSS’s long-standing claim that it represents cultural nationalism rather than religious majoritarianism, even as critics accuse the organisation of pushing a Hindu-first political narrative. Bhagwat’s remarks come at a time when the RSS’s inclusivity and ideological stance continue to be debated across the political spectrum.
Addressing questions about the RSS’s legal status, Bhagwat dismissed suggestions that the organisation lacks registration or transparency. “RSS was established in 1925. Do you expect us to have registered with the British government?” he asked. “After Independence, registration was not mandatory. We are categorised as a ‘body of individuals,’ and both the Income Tax department and the courts have recognised us as such.” He also pointed out that the government itself has acknowledged the Sangh’s existence through its past actions: “We were banned thrice. If we were not there, whom did they ban?”
On the recurring allegation that the RSS disrespects the national flag, Bhagwat offered a sharp rebuttal. “We always respect, offer tribute, and protect our tricolour,” he said, while adding that saffron — revered in the Sangh tradition — symbolises sacrifice and spiritual strength and serves as the organisation’s guiding “Guru.”
Bhagwat also addressed the RSS’s stance on political involvement, reiterating that the Sangh does not engage in electoral politics or support any specific party. “We do not participate in vote politics, current politics, or election politics. The Sangh’s work is to unite society, while politics, by nature, is divisive. Hence, we stay away from it,” he said. However, he acknowledged that the RSS supports policies it believes serve the national interest.
Turning to India’s relationship with Pakistan, Bhagwat asserted that peace between the two nations is possible only if Pakistan abandons its hostility toward India. “It is Pakistan that does not want peace. As long as it derives satisfaction from harming Bharat, it will continue on that path. But if it persists, it will learn a lesson one day — as it did in 1971,” he said, referring to the Indo-Pak war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.
Bhagwat also touched upon social issues, including caste and interfaith relations. He argued that casteism, as a social reality, has largely faded but that “caste confusion” remains alive due to political manipulation and electoral considerations. “There is no need to eradicate caste; there is a need to forget caste,” he said, stressing that the Sangh seeks to promote equality through cultural unity rather than legislative intervention.
On the contentious topic of ‘love jihad,’ Bhagwat cautioned against excessive focus on what others do and instead urged Hindu families to strengthen their cultural foundations. “Don’t keep thinking about what others are doing. Strengthen Hindu samskara (values) within your home. If we nurture our values, such issues will not arise,” he said.
Bhagwat’s remarks reflect the RSS’s ongoing effort to present itself as a broad-based, nationalist, and culturally inclusive organisation while maintaining its ideological roots in the concept of Hindutva. By emphasising “oneness as sons of Bharat Mata,” Bhagwat appeared to project a message of unity — but one framed firmly within the Sangh’s vision of India as a Hindu civilisation rather than a religiously pluralist nation-state.
