No need to search for shivling everywhere: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
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New Delhi – Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday sought to present a balanced image of the organisation, saying Islam will always have a place in India and dismissing talk of differences with the BJP.
Speaking at the RSS centenary celebrations at Vigyan Bhawan, Bhagwat addressed a wide range of questions — from caste and reservation to AI, tariffs, religion, and the role of the Sangh in national politics.
Amid growing demands for an Ayodhya-like campaign in Kashi and Mathura, Bhagwat made it clear that the Ram Temple was the only movement the Sangh had directly taken part in. "However, Kashi, Mathura, and Ayodhya are important to Hindus, and if they request, our volunteers can join their movements," he said. Stressing restraint, he added, "Besides these three, I have said there is no need to search for a temple or Shivling everywhere."
On speculation that he wanted leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to retire at 75, Bhagwat clarified: "I never said that I or someone else should retire at 75."
He underlined that the RSS and BJP have separate roles: "The RSS knows how to run shakhas and the BJP knows how to run the government. We only give suggestions to each other." Rejecting claims that the Sangh decides everything for the BJP, Bhagwat said: "It's completely wrong… we don’t decide, we don’t have to."
On the US-India tariff standoff, Bhagwat emphasised swadeshi and self-reliance. "International trade is essential, but there can be no friendship under pressure. We don’t tell the government how to deal with Trump; they know what to do, and we will support it," he said.
Addressing history, Bhagwat asserted that the RSS opposed Partition and that swayamsevaks participated in the freedom struggle. On Akhand Bharat, he said: "It is not only a political matter… it is a fact of life."
The RSS chief also reiterated support for reservations. "The RSS fully supports Constitutionally-mandated reservation policies and will support them till the time it is required," he said. On caste, he declared: "The caste system was there once, but has no relevance today. It is outdated and has to go."
Touching on technology, Bhagwat said the RSS is studying Artificial Intelligence. "I have been told AI can be used to write poetry… it can learn languages, but can it understand emotions?"
He flagged conversion and illegal migration as major concerns, urging society and government to act. "Religion is an individual's own choice. No one should be forcefully converted. We have to stop it," he said, adding, "It is important to give employment to the citizens of our country — our own people, including Muslims — not to illegal migrants."