Fri Dec 20 12:38:37 UTC 2024: ## RSS Chief Bhagwat Condemns Resurgence of Temple-Mosque Disputes
**Pune, India –** RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has voiced concern over a recent rise in temple-mosque disputes across India, stating that some individuals are attempting to leverage such conflicts to gain influence within the Hindu community following the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Temple.
In a lecture titled “India – The Vishwaguru” in Pune on Thursday, Bhagwat advocated for a harmonious and inclusive society, emphasizing India’s historical pluralism as a model for the world. He cited the celebration of Christmas within the Ramakrishna Mission as an example of this inclusivity, achievable only within the context of Hindu society.
Bhagwat criticized the resurgence of disputes, stating that some are using these issues to position themselves as leaders of Hindus. He emphasized that this behavior is unacceptable and that India must demonstrate its capacity for peaceful co-existence. While not mentioning specific cases, his remarks come amidst several ongoing court cases involving demands to survey mosques for potential hidden temples.
The RSS chief attributed some of the current tensions to the influence of groups with historical agendas seeking to re-establish past dominance. He contrasted this with India’s current constitutional framework, where representatives are chosen by the people. He also highlighted the historical context of such conflicts, referencing the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s policies and the British manipulation of communal tensions that contributed to the partition of India.
Bhagwat concluded by questioning the use of a “language of dominance” in a nation where all citizens identify as Indians, asserting that the principle of equality necessitates harmony and adherence to the law, irrespective of religious majority or minority status.
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