‘If Hindus stand together, the situation will change…’, Mohan Bhagwat speaks on the construction of Babri Masjid in Bengal.

What did Mohan Bhagwat say about the construction of the Babri Masjid in Bengal? (Photo: PTI)

Humayun Kabir, who was suspended from the Trinamool Congress, laid the foundation stone for a ‘Babri Masjid’ in Murshidabad on December 6. The event was symbolic, and Humayun Kabir proceeded with his mosque construction project by cutting a ribbon.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat commented on the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, stating that Hindus are a minority there and the situation is very difficult. Despite the challenging circumstances, Hindus in Bangladesh must remain united for their maximum safety. Hindus around the world should come forward to help them.

Bhagwat said that we should provide as much help as we can, within our limitations. We have to do everything possible, and we are doing it. India is the only country for Hindus. The Indian government must take notice of this. It will have to do something. It’s possible that it is already doing something. Some things are made public, some cannot be. Sometimes results are achieved, sometimes not. But something or the other will have to be done.

He said that if the Hindu community stands united, it won’t take long for the situation in Bengal to change. As far as my views on political change are concerned, I want to make it clear that thinking about political change is not my job. We are working for social change through the RSS.

On the question of a Hindu nation, Mohan Bhagwat said, “The sun rises in the east; we don’t know how long this has been happening. So, does this also require constitutional approval? Hindustan is a Hindu nation. As long as there is even one person alive on the land of Hindustan who considers India their motherland and respects Indian culture, and who believes in and cherishes the glorious tradition of Indian ancestors, then India is a Hindu nation. This is the ideology of the Sangh.”

He added, “Even if Parliament amends the Constitution and adds that word, or doesn’t add it, it doesn’t matter to us. We don’t care about that word, because we are Hindus, and our nation is a Hindu nation. This is the truth. The caste system based on birth is not the identity of Hindutva.”

Addressing an event in Kolkata, Mohan Bhagwat said, “There was a dispute, which later went to court. The court took a long time to deliver its verdict, and then the Ram Temple was built there. As soon as the Ram Temple was built, the dispute ended. But now, this is a political conspiracy to restart that dispute by rebuilding the Babri Masjid, and all this is being done for votes. This will benefit neither Hindus nor Muslims. I think this shouldn’t happen.”

He said that if there is a perception that we are anti-Muslim, then, as I said, the RSS’s work is completely transparent. You can come and see for yourself anytime. After seeing it, people have said that you are staunch nationalists, you organize Hindus and talk about protecting Hindus, but you are not anti-Muslim. Many people have accepted this, and those who want to know more should come and see the RSS for themselves.

Responding to a question in Beldanga about the laying of the foundation stone for a Babri Masjid by suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir, Mohan Bhagwat said that this is a political conspiracy to restart the controversy by rebuilding the Babri Masjid. This is being done for votes; it will benefit neither Muslims nor Hindus. This should not happen. That is my opinion.

When asked if it was right to build religious sites with government money, he said that the government should not build temples or any religious places. That’s the rule. The Somnath temple was built. At that time, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the Home Minister. The President attended its inauguration, but no government funds were used. The Ram Mandir was built after the Supreme Court’s decision. The government was asked to form a trust, and it did so. The government did not provide any money. We all contributed together.