Recently there is a lot of resentment in a section of Hindus on some statements of Sangh leaders. However, those statements did not come for the first time. But after Sangh chief Mr. Bhagwat released the book “वैचारिक समन्वय-एक व्यावहारिक पहल” of Khwaja Iftikhar, the matter caught fire.
However, according to Sangh leaders, their old anti-Muslim policy remains unchanged. But it doesn’t seem right. Dr Hegdewar had formed a Hindu organization; Which was different from Muslims. His successor Guru Golwalkar had even talked of depriving Muslims and Christians of voting rights. That view has been changed; which is nice. But note that Golwalkar considered them different from Hindus. Therefore, this belief of Sangh leaders is new that all Muslims are also Hindus.
Diverse views of union leaders
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Therefore, it is necessary to first look at all the current beliefs of the Sangh towards Muslims and Islam in a holistic manner. At least the following 36 things have been said by Sangh-Parivar leaders from time to time in the last three decades:-
(1) What is the problem if Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad are also added to the 33 crore Hindu deities? For us, Muhammad is as revered as Ram and Krishna
(2) All religions including Islam lead to God. That’s why in April 1994, the Sangh made a ‘Sarva-Panth Samadar Manch’ in front of the tomb of Dr Hegdewar in Nagpur; which was inaugurated by Maulana Waheeduddin. It was to give special respect to Islam.
(3) Islam is good, but Muslims are bad.
(4) If Muslims are told that they and we had the same ancestors, they will unite with the Hindus.
(5) Congress uses Muslims. Considers them as a vote bank; We Sangh-BJP will treat them as human beings.
(6) The Sufis were tolerant Muslims.
(7) According to Islam, Allah does not accept Namaz at disputed places.
Apart from the above beliefs, in the last few years, the top leaders of the Sangh have said other things, which should be called their new beliefs towards Islam and Muslims. In fact, some new things have been kept in this regarding the Hindu religion-society as well; Which was hardly heard from him before. These things are as follows:
(8) There is no stranger in India. WE have made Muslims strangers.
(9) There are three grounds for being called a Hindu: Patriotism, Culture, and Ancestral Feelings.
(10) The method of worship is not the basis for being called a Hindu.
(11) Not opposing anyone, ‘Sarvesham Avirodham’ is Hindutva.
(12) Who binds all in the thread of unity; He is a Hindu. In this way, all the people of the world can come under the purview of Hindus.
(13) The day a Hindu will say that he does not want Muslims in India; That day he will not be a Hindu.
(14) Palghar incident should not create fear and anger in the minds of Hindus. Only Hindus will be harmed by that.
(15) Hinduism is characterized by: Accepting diversity, celebrating diversity, and respecting diversity.
(16) Whatever religion one is in, stay there. It is not necessary to be a Hindu. Ultimately, all will reach the same place.
(17) Calling India a Hindu nation does not mean any political, power-centred concept.
(18) Harmony and love are needed, not opposition and anger, for nation-building.
(19) Respecting all religions and cultures is Hindutva. May our creed dominate, and all become secondary. This is not Hindutva. We should give it up.
(20) There is occasional violence in the country; Even then Hindus should not deviate from brotherhood to live in harmony; This is Hindutva.
(21) The values of Hindus and Muslims are similar. From above it seems that Muslims have been opposing Hindus. But, there is no Hindu-Muslim antagonism at all.
(22) The Muslims of India have always been indigenous and nationalist. Before Akbar, they were under colonial pressure; They were freed at the time of Akbar. Then, colonies were made by Aurangzeb. Again after 1850 AD, they were colonized by Wahabis. Because of that, India was partitioned. Now again, the process of emancipation of Indian Muslims from colonialism has begun. Hindus should cooperate in that. (23) The happiest Muslims in the world are Indian Muslims.
(24) The Muslims of India are the most peace-loving.
(25) Whenever there was an attack on India, then all sections of the people of India unitedly opposed it.
(26) A handful of Muslims, for their selfishness and Anti-Hindu violence. Other Muslims live in brotherhood.
(27) India is incomplete without Muslims.
Apart from the above, some junior spokespersons of the Sangh have also said these things recently:
(28) Muslims in India are divided into more and more sects. Shia-Sunni does not fight here in India; Which shows their Indianness.
(29) There is less radicalization among Muslims here in India. That is, extremism and Islam are two different things.
(30) All terror, jihadi violence, etc. should be seen separately from Islam. Indian Muslims should also do the same.
(31) It is our cleverness to add Muhammad and Jesus to 33 crore deities so that the opponents can be ‘exposed’. This will make them respect our Gods and Goddesses! Otherwise, they will be exposed, or they will be Indianised.
(32) Sangh has never talked about ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ secularism. The Sangh talks about ‘Spiritual Democracy’.
(33) The Muslims are scared. That is, they have to be encouraged by making them fearless.
(34) The Muslims do not know that our forefathers are one. Telling them this is a very important step.
(35) Critics of the Sangh do not talk about the ‘Indianization of Muslims’, which was said by Guru Golwalkar in 1972 AD. The intention was that Muslims should stick to Islam, but see themselves as children of India. Then everything will be fine.
(36) The hopes and aspirations of the Hindus and the Muslims are the same.
In response to every criticism on the above-mentioned points, the spokesperson or supporters of the Sangh say that ‘where will you remove 15 per cent of people?’ “१५% लोगों को आरबसागर में फेंक दोगे क्या ?” But, who has proposed to remove/disown them, is not told. It is a fabricated argument. Sangh also rejects the mention of Islamic facts, experiences, statistics, etc. as ‘offensive’ ideas.
All the above-mentioned points are the authentic statements of the leaders and spokespersons of the Sangh. Their worth should be revalued, reconciled and reassessed. The seriousness of the situation will be clear only after a complete assessment.
Thereby, Sitaram Goyal’s warning seems to be correct “RSS is leading the Hindu society towards such a trap, from which it may not be possible to get out.”
The original text was published in Hindi in Chapter 14 of the book “Sangh Parivar ki Rajneeti: Ek Hindu Aalochana” by Dr Shankar Sharan
