RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has highlighted India’s long-standing tradition of offering refuge to people fleeing persecution, saying the country has welcomed communities from different faiths and allowed them to preserve their identities.
Speaking at the ‘Hindu Vishwa Bandhu – Embrace the World in Friendship’ event in Canada, Bhagwat said India’s approach to diversity was rooted in the belief that humanity is ultimately united despite differences.
“Many came to Bharat from outside as aggressors, but they still thrive there, with all their specialties intact. They are now Bharatiya citizens,” Bhagwat said.
He specifically referred to the presence of Muslims, Christians, Jews and Parsis in India, saying the country has also provided asylum to people facing persecution elsewhere.
The RSS chief said India’s tradition was to extend help to those in need, even when assistance was not explicitly requested. He connected this approach with the Hindu philosophical idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which means that the world is one family.
‘Diversity itself is a form of unity’
Bhagwat argued that diversity does not necessarily threaten national unity. Instead, he said India’s traditions regard diversity as an expression of an underlying unity.
“Diversity never poses a problem for unity in India,” he said, adding that the country’s cultural tradition teaches people to see “unity in diversity” and diversity itself as a form of unity.
He also described India’s evolution as a country that serves the world, saying its rise should not simply be viewed through the lens of becoming a superpower.
“One may call Bharat a superpower, but it was not one. It served the world and by its own character, it became ‘Vishwaguru’, not Mahashakti,” Bhagwat said.
Bhagwat speaks on Indian diaspora
The RSS chief’s remarks came during his visit to Canada, where he addressed members of the Hindu community.
He also emphasised that members of the Indian diaspora should fulfil their responsibilities in the countries where they live while remaining connected to their cultural roots.
The event also saw chants of “Modi, Modi” after former Canadian premier of Alberta and former defence minister Jason Kenney spoke about renewed momentum in Canada-India relations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Canada later this year, according to the report, potentially marking another phase in bilateral engagement between the two countries.
