London: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, addressing members of the Indian diaspora in London, said that the concept of a “Hindu Rashtra” should not be understood through the lens of religion, worship or a uniform lifestyle, but through the acceptance of India’s inherent diversity. He emphasised that “uniformity is not necessary for unity”.
Bhagwat’s London engagement is part of the RSS’ centenary-year global outreach programme, aimed at engaging with the Indian diaspora and presenting its perspective on the organisation and its work. He has earlier addressed similar gatherings in New York and Toronto.
Explaining the RSS’s understanding of Hindutva, Bhagwat said the word “Hindu” represents a nature that respects and accepts diverse ways of life and thought. He pointed out that India has historically accommodated a wide range of philosophies, including atheism, and stressed that Hindutva does not demand conversion or insist that only one path is correct.
“The purpose of the Hindu Rashtra is to give this to the world, diversity is natural and unity is truth,” Bhagwat said.
Distinguishing between a “nation” and “rashtra”, he said a nation-state often brings people together through similarities such as language, religion or governance, while a “rashtra” is united primarily by a common purpose. He argued that India’s civilisational continuity endured despite invasions and foreign rule because of this shared purpose.
Addressing the younger generation, Bhagwat said they should be given a clear goal and the necessary knowledge without imposing a particular method on them. “Set the goal, not the method,” he said.
On British Hindus facing a potential divergence between British and Indian interests, Bhagwat said Hindutva does not ask people to betray their “karmabhoomi”. He also urged Hindus to focus on commonalities and strengthen unity by giving greater importance to what brings people together rather than what divides them.
