Forgetting Hindu sentiments led to Partition: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday (February 7, 2026) said the Partition of India took place because the “Hindu bhav” (sentiment) was forgotten. He was speaking at a programme titled “100 years of the Sangh journey” in Mumbai.

Celebrities such as singer Adnan Sami, actor Ranbir Kapoor, and actor Salman Khan participated in the event.

While ‘swadeshi’ (reliance on indigenous production) is necessary, global dependence is also needed, Mr. Bhagwat said, adding that such dependence should not be driven by “tariffs”. “Partition happened because of religion. We said we respect all religions because we are Hindus. There are people who say this was wrong. Islam and Christianity still exist in India. There are skirmishes, but the country has remained united….Hindu sentiment being forgotten led to the Partition of India,” he said. “You don’t lose anything by accepting Hindutva, (be it) your religious practice, (or) your language. Hindutva is a guarantee of your safety,” the RSS chief said.

A person’s faith, food habits and language may be different, but we are all one as a society, culture and nation, he said. “We call this Hindutva, and you may say (call it) Bharatiyata.” He also said that Hindu-Muslim unity was a wrong phrase because “you unite two (different) people and not those who are already one.”

Dialogue was necessary to understand the RSS, and the nature of the organisation can not be understood on the basis of perception and propaganda, Mr. Bhagwat said. If there was any opposition to the Sangh on a factual basis, “we will improve”, but “to know the facts you must come to us”, he said. The strength of righteous and peaceful co-existence needs to be activated and we need to complement each other, he said.

‘A Hindu does not disrespect anyone’s faith’

He said that a Hindu does not disrespect anyone’s faith. “There will have to be dialogue. We will have to sit down and talk peacefully,” he said.

Dialogue within families is necessary to ensure that the younger generation does not take to drugs or is not driven to suicide, Mr. Bhagwat said. Inculcation of self-pride (”Swa ka gaurav”) and understanding of the self (”Swa ka bodh”) are necessary, he added.

Mr. Bhagwat said that the RSS does not want to become a “pressure group” and does not exercise direct or indirect control over the activities undertaken by its volunteers. He said that people often assume that the control exists because the volunteers work in different fields. Responding to criticism, he said that honest ones are beneficial.

Calling for unity of Hindus, he said, “There are selfish and monopolistic forces in the world working to prevent India from rising. If the whole of Hindu society stands together, no one will be able to withstand its righteous strength. Their days are numbered. Now, it is just a battle of wills. If we continue to work together, build our country, and protect ourselves from their attacks, their power will naturally diminish.”