NEW YORK – Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat delivered a significant address in New York City on August 30, 2026, articulating a strong message on identity, pluralism, and global citizenship. During his speech, Bhagwat declared that any Hindu advocating for a nation without Muslims deviates from the fundamental principles of Hindutva.
Hindutva's Core: Inclusivity, Not Exclusion
Bhagwat's remarks, part of the RSS's centenary-year international outreach tour across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, drew a clear distinction between political rhetoric and spiritual responsibility. He recounted a dialogue from his 2018 New Delhi lecture series, where Muslim attendees questioned the practical implications of a "Hindu Rashtra" and expressed concerns about potential exclusion from India.
"I told them, 'no, that is not Hindutva. If any Hindu thinks that there should be no Muslim in Bharat, he ceases to be a Hindu,'" Bhagwat stated. "If you call yourself a Hindu, you must believe that all paths lead to the same destination. Every human being has inherent dignity, there is no fundamental difference between us."
He further elaborated that external variations are superficial and temporary. Bhagwat stressed that those with true understanding perceive everyone equally, regardless of social status or species. He asserted that while daily life necessitates navigating these differences, the underlying reality of oneness remains, and illusions of division will eventually fade.
Dharma and Diaspora Duty: Loyalty to Host Nations
Expanding on the responsibilities of non-resident Indians (NRIs), the RSS leader underscored a clear boundary between emotional ties to one's homeland and national allegiance to their adopted country. He advised the Indian diaspora to prioritize their host nation – their karma bhumi – over their land of origin, janma bhumi.
"What is our duty? We are in America, we live in America, we earn in America. So we are American. And we should behave true to America. The diaspora, Bharatiya diaspora, they have a duty to their karma bhumi. They must fulfil that. They should be loyal to their karma bhumi," Bhagwat remarked.
He clarified that contributing back to India remains optional after fulfilling duties abroad. Bhagwat emphasized that the janma bhumi expects its diaspora to live by the values it has imparted, chief among them being the principle of oneness with all human beings and nature.
Critique of Modern Politics and Governance
Beyond matters of community identity, Bhagwat offered a critical assessment of statecraft and governance. He argued that societal transformations cannot rely solely on executive machinery, as politics has increasingly become a "game of self-interest."
"Sorry to say, but the fact is, politics has now become a game of self-interest," Bhagwat observed. "Where there is me, I am I. There is no solution. We and ours is the solution. So our experience in Bharat is that we have to start with the society."
He asserted that grassroots consensus must take precedence over political mandates, noting that strong public opinion can compel politicians to align with societal values.
Universal Truths Beyond Formal Religion
Distinguishing between institutional religion and broad human values, Bhagwat pointed out that modern belief systems are often bound by strict formalism, whereas true philosophy operates on universal truths. He explained that while religions may differ, humanity is fundamentally one, a product of a singular truth described in various ways based on human perception.
Bhagwat acknowledged the pragmatic role of outward practices, noting that rituals are necessary for fitting into religious disciplines and treating a specific path to divinity. However, he consistently returned to the theme of underlying unity and shared human dignity.