Organiser clarifies its stance with RSS chief’s ‘social harmony’ view amid controversy

Amid the controversy over RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent remarks about the ongoing quest to find a temple in every masjid in the country, and the alleged contradiction between the Sangh’s mouthpiece editorial and Bhagwat’s statement, Organiser issued a statement endorsing the RSS chief’s views on social harmony.

Though the Organiser underscored the necessity of divulging the true nature of these alleged controversial sites, it said the magazine affirms its commitment to social harmony and reiterates its support for Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent remarks on temple-mosque disputes.

In a speech on December 19 in Pune, Bhagwat lamented that the 'extreme hatred, malice, enmity, and suspicion' have been raking up new Mandir-masjid issues on a daily basis, which is unacceptable, describing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as a 'matter of faith' for Hindus.

The editorial was published a few days after Bhagwat’s statement.

In the statement, Organiser editor Prafulla Ketkar clarified that the magazine fully endorses Bhagwat’s message, which highlighted the need for harmony and cautioned against raising divisive issues surrounding religious sites. Ketkar emphasized that the magazine stands by Bhagwat’s view that the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is a deeply significant matter for Hindus, but reiterated the importance of not stoking daily controversies out of hatred or suspicion.

The editorial in question, published in the latest issue, argues that understanding the true history of contentious sites and structures is essential for "civilisational justice." The editorial follows Bhagwat's speech on December 19, where he underscored the importance of avoiding daily disputes over temple-mosque issues and promoted unity.

Organiser’s cover story focuses on the Sambhal mosque controversy in Uttar Pradesh, where the magazine claims that a temple once stood in place of the Shahi Jama Masjid. It also delves into Sambhal's historically fraught communal relations.

Despite the magazine’s endorsement of Bhagwat's message, the editorial has been interpreted as calling for action regarding religious spaces that were historically affected by invasions or demolitions. Organiser advocates for a broader discussion on “civilisational justice,” suggesting that the quest for truth regarding religious sites needs to be addressed just as Babasaheb Ambedkar tackled caste discrimination with constitutional remedies.

Ketkar further addressed the issue by clarifying that the editorial was not linked to Bhagwat's speech. He noted that the editorial was written following a field report from Sambhal and should not be seen as a response to the speech delivered a day later. According to Ketkar, the magazine’s position remains focused on understanding historical context without promoting daily communal discord.