Can Muslims join RSS? Mohan Bhagwat answers; explains who is not welcome in Sangh

NEW DELHI: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said the Sangh welcomes people from all faiths, including Muslims and Christians, as long as they see themselves as sons of Bharat Mata and part of the broader Hindu society.

Speaking at a two-day lecture series titled "100 Years of Sangh Journey: New Horizons" in Bengaluru, Bhagwat clarified that the RSS does not divide its members by caste or religion and that its approach is rooted in unity and a shared national identity.

Asked whether Muslims are allowed to join the RSS, Bhagwat said, "No Brahmin is allowed in Sangh. No other caste is allowed in the Sangh. No Muslim is allowed, no Christian is allowed in the Sangha. Only Hindus are allowed. So people with different denominations, Muslims, Christians, any denomination, can come to the Sangha but keep your separateness out."

He explained that the Sangh works on the principle of inclusivity, saying, "Muslims come to Shakha, Christians come to Shakha, as all other castes from the routinely called Hindu society, they also come to Shakha. But we don't take their count, and we don't ask who they are. We are all sons of Bharat Mata. That is how Sangha works."

Bhagwat also defended the organisation’s legal standing, saying, "Sangha started in 1925. Do you expect us to register with the British government? Against whom?... We were banned thrice. So, the government has recognised. If we were not there, who would they ban? And each time courts resolved the ban, they dismissed the ban and made RSS a legal organisation." He added, "Legally, factually, we are an organisation. We are not unconstitutional. We are within that constitution. So we need not register. Many things are there which are not registered. Even Hindu Dharma is not registered."

Outlining the Sangh’s broader vision, Bhagwat said its mission is to unite and empower Hindu society to build a strong and prosperous India capable of guiding the world through the principles of Dharma. "We want to unite, organise, impart qualities to the entire Hindu society so that they will create a prosperous and strong Bharat which will impart the Dharma knowledge to the world. Our mission, our vision is an organised, strong Hindu society," he said.

He also reaffirmed the Sangh’s respect for the national flag, saying, “Since its creation, Sangha has always stood by, respected, offered tributes and protected this Tiranga Dhwaj... There is no question of Bhagwa vis-a-vis Bhagwa and Tiranga.”