Mohan Bhagwat, RSS chief, asserts all people who live in India are Hindus

Darbhanga (Bihar): Mohan Bhagwat, the head of the RSS, claimed on Monday that all Indians were by definition Hindus and that variety had blossomed in the nation as a result of the cultural ethos of the place.

According to the "Sarsanghchalak," everyone who consents to chant Sanskrit poetry in praise of Bharat Mata and is dedicated to maintaining local culture is a Hindu.

Bhagwat who was addressing RSS workers here before concluding his four-day tour of Bihar said the mammoth organisation will become redundant if all citizens of the country adopt the spirit of selfless service exhibited by the 'Swayamsevaks' (RSS volunteers).

"People should understand that because they live in Hindusthan, they all are Hindus. They might be other things as well, but all other identities have been made possible because of the Hindu ethos of acceptance - Hindutva is the name for the centuries-old culture to which all the diverse streams owe their origin," he said.

"Different branches may have stemmed and may seem opposed to each other, but they all trace their beginning to the same source," Bhagwat said.

The septuagenarian RSS chief said values like seeing oneself in others, viewing women as mothers and not objects of lust and not coveting wealth that belongs to others defined the Hindu ethos.

"Hindutva is a binding force. All those who believe themselves to be Hindus are Hindus. So are those whose ancestors happened to be Hindus," said Bhagwat, whose similar remarks in the past had triggered controversy.

RSS's mission is to regain the lost glory of the country, which was the 'Vishwaguru' (world teacher) in ancient times.

"To build a nation so great requires a conducive social atmosphere, which the Sangh seeks to create. Our volunteers spend just an hour at the shakhas. The remaining 23 hours of the day are spent rendering selfless social service without accepting a paisa of government aid," Bhagwat said.

The swayamsevaks are seen in action whenever there is any calamity, natural or otherwise.

"We do not want anything in return, not even adulation," he said.

The RSS, he said, came into being because society at large did not seem to be conscious enough of its responsibilities.

"If all people take to selfless service then there will be no need for people to wear our badge. Every citizen will deemed to be a swayamsevak in his own right," Bhagwat added.

With PTI inputs