Bhagwat Says Lynchings Against Hindutva; Owaisi, Mayawati Lash Out
"We are in a democracy. There can't be a dominance of Hindus or Muslims," RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said at an event.
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Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday, 4 July, articulated his opposition to communal lynching.
"Cow is a holy animal but those who are indulging in lynching are going against Hindutva. Law should take its own course against them without any partiality," he said, as per news agency ANI.
Bhagwat, however, also noted that at times, false charges of lynching have been furthered.
'Not Hindus or Muslims, There Can Only be Dominance of Indians'
Speaking at an event organised by the Muslim Rashtriya Manch on the theme ''Hindustani First, Hindustan First,'' Bhagwat stressed on the need for communal harmony in the country in order for development.
"We are in a democracy. There can't be a dominance of Hindus or Muslims. There can only be the dominance of Indians," Bhagwat said, as per news agency PTI.
Bhagwat stated that the Muslim citizens of the country should not be "trapped in the cycle of fear" that Islam is in danger in India.
"The so-called people of our country have instilled fear in the minds of Muslims that if you live in harmony with the Sangh, your religion is in danger," the RSS chief said, as per an ANI report.
Politicians Lash Out at Bhagwat
Reacting to Bhagwat's remarks, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said, "RSS' Bhagwat says 'anti-Hindutva are those who committed lynchings'. These criminals do not know the difference between cow and buffalo, but the names of Junaid, Akhlaq, Pehlu, Rakbar, Alimuddin were enough to kill. This hatred is the product of Hindutva. These criminals have the backing of the Hindutva government."
He added, "Cowardice, violence and murder are an integral part of Godse's Hindutva thinking. The lynching of Muslims is also the result of this thinking."
(Image: Screengrab from Twitter / @asadowaisi)
Speaking to news agency ANI, he also said, "I want to ask him if he has accepted that the majority community has been radicalised due to RSS and Hindutva ideology? Is RSS & Hindutva ideology not responsible for radicalisation?"
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh tweeted, challenging the RSS chief to prove that his views are as he has expressed. Singh wrote, "If you are honest with the views expressed by you, give directions to have all those leaders in BJP who have harassed innocent Muslims to be removed from their posts immediately. Start with Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath.”
(Image: Screengrab from Twitter / @adigvijaya_28)
Lashing out Bhagwat's comments, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Maywati said that it was difficult to believe the RSS as they do the opposite of what they say, reported Network 18.
In a statement released on 5 July, the BSP stated that the central government, Uttar Pradesh government and other states that are running with a narrow mindset and principles of RSS are causing violence and chaos in the society.
"The statement regarding lynching against the principles of Hindutva and all the people having same DNA is not trustworthy as the RSS and BJP are known for doing the opposite of what they say,” the statement read.
RSS Chief's Comments on the Second Wave of COVID-19
In May, the RSS chief had criticised the negligence on part of the government in the preparation for the second wave of COVID-19 in the country.
“We all lost track after the first wave. The people, the governments, the administrations, everybody knew... The doctors too were warning but everybody still lost track. That’s why we are facing this situation today," he had said.
Speaking at the positivity campaign that had been organised by the RSS in the wake of the devastation wreaked by second wave of the coronavirus, Bhagwat had also urged people to not fall for unscientific remedies being spread in the name of Ayurveda.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI and News 18)
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