Stressing the importance of maintaining harmony in the country, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat has emphasised that it is “unacceptable” to stir up new temple-mosque disputes in India. He was delivering a speech on Vishwaguru Bharat at a lecture series in Pune on Thursday, December 19.
“Every day, a new matter (dispute) is being raked up. How can this be allowed? This cannot continue,” Bhagwat said.
Bhagwat also reiterated that the construction of the Ram temple was a matter of faith for Hindus and should not lead to further conflicts. He added that the organisation’s involvement in the Ayodhya movement was an exception and that they do not wish to lead any new movements.
“By building Ram temple, which is a matter of faith for Hindus, one does not become a Hindu leader. Ram temple is a matter of faith for Indians. Under the burden of the past, we should not resort to extreme hatred, malice, enmity, and after raising doubts, we should not rake up new issues,” he said.
“The Ram temple was a matter of faith, and Hindus felt that it should be built… Raising issues about some new sites out of hate and enmity is unacceptable.”
This is not the first time Bhagwat has shared his views on the issue.
Addressing an event at Nagpur back in 2022, he had said, “Why look for a ‘Shivling’ in every Masjid?”
The RSS chief spoke amid the ongoing Gyanvapi issue and urged that the court’s decision should be accepted by all. He also encouraged all parties to resolve the issue with mutual consent.
Bhagwat’s latest comments come after the Supreme Court’s decision to pause any new surveys or petitions in temple-mosque disputes until next February.
(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
