Looking at RSS through BJP lens a big mistake: Mohan Bhagwat

KOLKATA: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said seeing the Sangh through the lens of BJP would be a "big mistake". Bhagwat, who tried to define "Hindus" and the "Indian society", said the goal of the Sangh is organisation of Hindu society, but it is not aimed at opposing others.Speaking at Kolkata Vyakhyanmala, an interactive session to celebrate the centenary of RSS, Bhagwat said, "Many have a tendency to understand Sangh through the lens of BJP. That is a big mistake," while trying to clearly separate the two.

"Swayamsevaks in Sangh work in varied fields. Some are in politics. Some are in the party in office (at the Centre)," he added, explaining the genesis and growth of the Sangh during his over an hour-long speech.Bhagwat said, "There are people who spread wrong narratives about the Sangh. Interpretation of the Sangh should be objective and not through secondary sources. The goal of the Sangh is organisation of the entire Hindu society, but it is not aimed at opposing others...If you see that Sangh is anti-Muslim, you can make (that) your opinion. But change your opinion if you don't find that."Stressing on the need for a political awakening in the state, Bhagwat said Congress was created as a means for political awakening and struggle for Independence.

"There was a large-scale political awakening and people fought for this country. We got freedom...But there was another section which stressed on social reforms before Independence. The tradition started with Raja Ram Mohan Roy," he said.Bhagwat said: "We have to organise society and not create any separate organisation within society." Harping on diversity in "Hindu society", Bhagwat said, "Hindu is not a name but an attribute and denotes a nature.

Those who respect their motherland are Hindus. They could have different languages, rituals, attire or eating habits."The RSS chief added that Muslims should understand that they might be different "in terms of worship", but they are part of the unified entity in terms of "nation, culture and society". Terming the proposed

Babri Masjid

a "political conspiracy", he said, "It is neither in favour of Muslims, nor Hindus. It is happening for the votes".Criticising efforts to construct a temple or mosque from the public exchequer, Bhagwat said the

Somnath temple

was built with money pooled in from society. "The govt did not fund that (Somnath temple). Ram Mandir was not built by the govt. The govt should not get into the construction of temples," he said.