Idea that Islam will not remain is not Hindu thinking: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
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New Delhi (PTI): RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said Islam will always have a place in India and made a strong pitch for Hindus and Muslims to have mutual trust in each other.
Addressing a question and answer session to mark the centenary celebrations of the RSS, Bhagwat said the Sangh does not believe in attacking anyone, including on religious grounds, and has always extended a helping hand to everyone during calamities such as the Kerala floods and the Gujarat earthquake.
The RSS chief said he believed religion was a matter of individual choice and there should be no allurement or force in this matter.
"Hindus and Muslims are the same... so there's no question of unity between them; only their form of worship has changed. We are already one. What is there to unite? What has changed? Merely the method of worship has changed; does it really make a difference?" Bhagwat asked.
He said Islam has been in India since time immemorial and has stayed on till date, and will remain in the future as well.
"The idea that Islam will not remain is not Hindu thinking. Both Hindus and Muslims need to have mutual trust in each other," Bhagwat said.
On the issue of changing the names of roads and towns bearing Muslim names, the RSS chief said his only insistence was that roads or towns should not be named after invaders.
"Invaders' names should not be there. I did not say there should be no Muslim names... APJ Abdul Kalam, Abdul Hameed’s names should be there," he said.
The RSS chief cited conversion and illegal migration as key reasons behind demographic imbalance in the country, and said the government is trying to curb infiltration and urged society also needs to play its part.
Bhagwat said jobs should not go to illegal migrants but to "our own people, including Muslims".
"Conversion and illegal migration are key reasons for demographic imbalance. We should not give jobs to illegal migrants; we should give jobs to our own people, including Muslims," he said.
The RSS chief was asked about the Sangh’s view on illegal immigration into the country.
Bhagwat said that he agreed with the contention that people of Bangladesh and India have the same DNA, but every country has its rules and regulations, and people willing to migrate should follow these rules.
"The entire world is ‘Kutumb’ (family), but every place has its own standards. Freedom is discipline also. Not allowing illegal migrants in the country doesn't contradict the concept of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'," Bhagwat said.
Bhagwat also dismissed allegations that the RSS had indulged in acts of violence.
"No organisation that engages in violence can reach 75 lakh places in Bharat or gain such support. If we were like that, would we be holding such programmes? We would be hiding underground somewhere," the RSS chief said.
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People are voting fearlessly in West Bengal this time: PM Modi
Hardoi (UP) (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said voters
are casting their vote in West Bengal this time in a "fearless atmosphere", which was unimaginable in the past six or seven decades.
He also asserted that the assembly poll results on May 4 will further strengthen the resolve of a developed India.
Voting is underway in 142 constituencies of West Bengal in the second and final phase of polling.
Addressing a gathering after the inauguration of the Ganga Expressway here, Modi said today marks an important day in the festival of democracy.
"Voting for the second phase is underway in Bengal, and reports indicate a massive turnout, with people stepping out in large numbers just like in the first phase. Images of long queues at polling stations are flooding social media, reflecting the enthusiasm of the people to exercise their democratic right," he said.
"What we are witnessing in Bengal today is unprecedented which was difficult to imagine in the past six to seven decades, a fearless environment where people are voting without fear," he said.
The prime minister said this is a powerful symbol of the country's Constitution and the strengthening of democracy.
"I express my gratitude to the great people of Bengal for being so aware of their rights and participating in large numbers," he said.
With several hours of voting still left, the prime minister urged the people of Bengal to continue participating in this democratic festival with the same enthusiasm.
Modi said in the recent Bihar Assembly elections, the BJP and NDA achieved a historic and decisive victory.
"Just yesterday, results of local body elections in Gujarat showed that the BJP secured victories in nearly 80 to 85 percent of municipalities and panchayats.
"The results on May 4 will further strengthen the resolve of a developed India and will infuse new energy into the pace of development of the country."
The first phase of polling for 152 seats -- out of the 294-member West Bengal assembly -- was held on April 23.
The counting of votes for assembly polls in Kerala, West Bengal, Puducherry, Assam and Tamil Nadu will take place on May 4.
