RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat: Hindutva the essence of India

Participating in the annual Dussehra function at RSS headquarters in Nagpur, Bhagwat said: "Hindutva is the word expressing our identity along with the continuity of its spirituality based traditions and its entire wealth of value system in the land of Bharat. Therefore, this word is applicable to all the 1.3 billion people."  

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat today said that the word is applicable to all the 1.3 billion people.

Participating in the annual Dussehra function at RSS headquarters in Nagpur, Bhagwat said: "Hindutva is the word expressing our identity along with the continuity of its spirituality based traditions and its entire wealth of value system in the land of Bharat. Therefore, this word is applicable to all the 1.3 billion people."

"'Hindu' is not the name of some sect or denomination, not a provincial conceptualisation, neither a single caste’s lineage nor privilege of speakers of a specific language. It is a common denominator that honors and encompasses innumerable distinct identities," he said

Clarfying that "when Sangh says Hindustan is Hindu Rashtra it does not have any political or power-centered concept in its mind", Bhagwat said: "Hindutva is the essence of this Rashtra's 'Swa'(self-hood). We are plainly acknowledging the selfhood of the country as Hindu."

"Hindu culture has expressed itself in diverse forms. But, some groups are trying to spread hatred & aggression in sections of society by creating insecurity among them, stating that diversity will be finished if they identify themselves as 'Hindu'," he said, adding, "Acknowledgement of the fact that the emotional spirit of Bharat, its acceptance for and support to multiple belief systems and faiths, is a byproduct of the Hindu culture, traditions & Hindu thought."