New Delhi: Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), on Tuesday said that Muslims living in India are part of the country’s civilisational identity and did not come from outside.
Addressing a gathering in Lucknow, Bhagwat said, “Muslims living in India are also Hindus. They did not come from Arabia.” He added that efforts towards “ghar wapsi” (homecoming to Hinduism) should be accelerated and that those who return to the Hindu fold must be cared for and supported.
Call for strict action on infiltration
Speaking on the issue of illegal infiltration, Bhagwat said infiltrators must be “detected, deleted and deported” and should not be provided employment.
Population concerns
Expressing concern over what he described as a declining Hindu population growth rate, Bhagwat said Hindu families should aim to have at least three children.
“The current population growth rate is 2.1. It should be at least three. A society where the average number of children is less than three will eventually decline,” he said. He urged newly married couples to consider having a minimum of three children.
He further stated that marriage should be seen as a responsibility towards sustaining society rather than merely fulfilling personal desires. “The purpose of marriage should be the continuation of society. From this comes a sense of duty,” he said.
On UGC guidelines and caste
Bhagwat said the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines are not directed against any community and stressed the importance of inclusiveness.
“If a person has fallen into a pit, they must raise their hand to seek help, and the person standing outside must bend slightly and extend their hand. Only when both extend their hands can the situation improve,” he said, emphasising mutual cooperation.
He also expressed concern over caste-based divisions, saying society must move beyond caste identities. “We should not get caught in caste. We have been trying for decades to eliminate caste, but caste refuses to disappear,” he said.
