‘Shakhas Open to All Except Those Who Identify with Aurangzeb’: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat
Dubela, Amritangshu Paul: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat recently addressed diversity within the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), stating that the organization’s shakhas are open to all Indians—regardless of creed, caste, or sect—except for those who consider themselves as the descendants of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
RSS chief’s remarks came in response to a question posed by a volunteer during a program in Varanasi, who asked if he could bring his Muslim neighbours to the shakhas or not. Bhagwat confirmed this, saying, “The doors of shakhas are open to anyone who says Bharat Mata Ki Jai and respects the saffron flag.” He said that RSS ideology does not discriminate based on religious practices, as “worship methods may differ, but our culture is one.”
On March 30, Bhagwat highlighted the Sangh’s long-standing journey and the trust it has earned over the years. “With a long journey, society has seen, tested and accepted the volunteers of the Sangh. As a result, there was a favourable situation and the obstacles were also removed, and the volunteers are moving ahead,” he said, adding that while one hour is spent on personal growth, the remaining 23 hours are dedicated to the service of society.
Earlier in Nagpur, Bhagwat reflected on India’s history of foreign invasions, citing a pattern of defeats from the time of Alexander the Great to Islamic conquests. He credited Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as the first Indian ruler who offered a strong response to such invasions.
