Loyalty of British Hindus lies with 'karma bhoomi' UK: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Pic/Screengrab

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said the loyalties of British Hindus should lie with the United Kingdom, describing it as their field of duty and emphasising that their country of origin provides the values they carry into their lives and responsibilities abroad.

Addressing a diaspora gathering titled 'Celebration of Oneness' in London, Bhagwat said there should be no conflict between the interests of British Hindus and those of Britain if the community remained committed to the principles he associated with Hindutva.

The event was attended by hundreds of community leaders, students and volunteers of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) UK. Bhagwat responded to a series of questions submitted by members of the audience at the main public-facing event of his UK leg during a three-nation international tour marking the centenary year of the RSS.

Bhagwat addresses concerns over divided loyalties

Bhagwat was asked to explain the meaning of Hindutva and address concerns over whether Hindus living outside India could face a conflict of loyalties between their country of birth and the country where they live and work.

"Actually, there is no conflict; if British Hindus are good, strong, true Hindus, there will be never be a conflict between British and Bharat interests," said Bhagwat, responding to a question about the fear of divided loyalties of the Hindu community between their land of birth and their field of duty.

"If at all that happens, it is obvious that British Hindus will go with Britain. Exception may happen, but Hindutva is clear on this - your field of duty is where your loyalties lie. Your land of birth, or land of your origin or your birthplace, is where you get the values by which you live in your field of duty, while serving it. So, Hindutva never asks to betray your field of duty," he said.

‘Hindu' cannot be defined by religious practice, says RSS chief

Bhagwat also sought to explain his understanding of the term Hindu, saying it should not be defined solely through religious practices or a particular lifestyle.

"Hindu is a nature; society which has nature must accept and respect all diversities because it holds that all ways lead to the same goal.

"As all the water that falls on the earth goes into the sea eventually; in a similar way, because diversity is natural, ways are bound to be different. We don't have a mechanism by which we can make us uniform. Uniformity is not necessary for unity. There is unity in diversity," he said.

His remarks placed emphasis on diversity and coexistence, with Bhagwat arguing that differences in customs, practices and ways of life do not necessarily prevent people from sharing a broader sense of unity.

Bhagwat highlights RSS focus on service

Bhagwat also spoke about the role of the RSS and said the organisation was built around the principle of service. He expressed confidence that younger generations would contribute to efforts aimed at creating what he described as a better world through that principle.

Defining Hindutva in terms of oneness, he said the concept was based on people working and living together despite their differences.

He defined Hindutva as a concept of oneness: "We need not be separate. We can go together. We can work together. We can live together, and we should do together. That is Hindutva."

RSS chief explains his view of Hindu Rashtra

Bhagwat also elaborated on the idea of Hindu Rashtra, saying its purpose was to communicate the principle that diversity and unity can coexist.

Elaborating on the term Hindu Rashtra, he said: "What was the purpose of Hindu Rashtra? (It was) to give this truth to the world that diversity is natural, unity is truth. This benefits the world."

Bhagwat's international tour is expected to conclude on Monday, when he returns to India.

(With inputs from PTI)