RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat warns against stirring temple-mosque tensions to gain brownie points

The chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Mohan Bhagwat raised concern on Dec 19 over the rising number of temple-mosque conflicts in the nation.

In an address on "India-The Vishwaguru" in Pune, Bhagwat claimed that some people believe they can become "leaders of Hindus" by stirring up such arguments after the Ram Temple in Ayodhya was built.

He also claimed that this is unacceptable.

The chief of the RSS, who argued for an inclusive society, said the world must see that the nation can coexist peacefully.

"We have been living in harmony for a long time. If we want to provide this harmony to the world, we need to create a model of it. After the construction of Ram Mandir, some people think they can become leaders of Hindus by raking up similar issues in new places. This is not acceptable," Bhagwat said.

"Every day, a new matter (dispute) is being raked up. How can this be allowed? This cannot continue. India needs to show that we can live together," he added.

The RSS chief's comments coincide with a number of demands for mosque surveys in order to locate temples that have recently made their way to the courts.

The Supreme Court issued a national order on Dec 12 prohibiting all courts from considering new lawsuits or issuing orders to inspect mosques to see whether temple buildings are located beneath them.

"Some groups that came from outside brought staunchness and they want their old rule to return," Mohan Bhagwat said in his address on Dec 19.

"But now the country runs as per the Constitution. In this setup people choose their representatives, who run the government. The days of hegemony are gone," added.

Bhagwat mentioned the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's reign, claiming that it was marked by this kind of steadfastness.

However, he also noted that in 1857, Bahadur Shah Zafar, a descendent of the Mughal monarch, likewise outlawed the slaughter of cows.

“It was decided that Ram Mandir in Ayodhya should be given to Hindus but the British sensed it and created rift between the two communities,” Bhagwat said.

"Since then, this sense of 'algavwad' (separatism) came into being. As a result, Pakistan came into existence,” he added.

Additionally, he asked why, if everyone identifies as Indian, the "language of dominance" was being used.

"Who is a minority and who is a majority? Everyone is equal here. The tradition of this nation is all can follow their own forms of worship. The only requirement is to live in harmony and abide by rules and laws," the RSS chief said.

Earlier, on Nov 24, violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, led to four deaths and numerous injuries, including 24 police officials. On Nov 25, SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and Sohail Iqbal, son of MLA Iqbal Mehmood, were arrested. A Hindu lawyer claimed Babur destroyed a temple there in 1529.

On Dec 13, the Sambhal district officials in Uttar Pradesh reopened an ancient temple that had been locked since communal riots in the town in 1978.

Authorities in Sambhal on Dec 18 unlocked a second temple in Sarai Tarin, prompting Muslim residents to voluntarily demolish homes built on disputed land.

Recently, a petition alleging the Ajmer Sharif Dargah was built over a Shiva temple was filed in Rajasthan, prompting the court to notify the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, ASI, and the Dargah Committee on Nov 27.