Hindu means goodwill for all, regardless of faith, dietary habits: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

JAIPUR/ALWAR: Being a Hindu means to be generous and harbour goodwill towards everyone, regardless of their religious beliefs, caste or dietary practices, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said Sunday while flagging "an increased feeling of superiority or inferiority" as a threat to social order.

"Hindus are the most liberal people in the world, accepting everything... They are descendants of those who imparted wisdom, telling the world not to foster disputes, distribute wealth for charity, abjure arrogance and use their strength to protect the weak," he told an RSS gathering in Alwar.

Bhagwat highlighted the change in perception of the Sangh over the years, harking back to a time when "nobody knew or accepted RSS".

Hindu culture transcends deities & castes: RSS chief
From a time when people didn't know what RSS was, to the present when even the organisation's opponents recognise its influence, Sangh had come a long way, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said at an organisation meeting.

"Those who oppose us even now may speak against us publicly, but in their hearts, they recognise our influence," he said. Bhagwat, who has spoken previously about the need to rid society of the twin dogmas of untouchability and inequality, iterated during the event that "temples, water, and cremation grounds should be made accessible to all Hindus in areas where the Sangh is influential". He termed Hindu society the country's "karta-dharta" (doer-saviour), saying its culture transcends deities, languages, castes, regions and traditions: "Anyone who holds these values and this culture dear is a Hindu."

As RSS prepares to celebrate 100 years of its inception, Bhagwat urged volunteers to incorporate social harmony, environmental awareness, family education, self-awareness, and civic discipline into their lives. "Our goal should be to empower the nation and make it prosperous. This prosperity will reflect the Hindu community's glory."

Bhagwat blamed "misuse" of social media for erosion of family and traditional values. He encouraged families to gather once a week, engage in devotional activities, and make small pledges to preserve their customs, language, and cultural practices. "This is how family education should be conducted."

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