DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇳 India /Culture & Society

After Unity Pitch in US, RSS Chief Praises India’s Asylum Policy in Canada: ‘They Came as Aggressors, but Still Thrive’

From Hindustan Times · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said India has historically offered asylum to persecuted people and allowed Muslims, Christians, Jews and Parsis to maintain their identities.
  • Speaking at a Hindu community event in Toronto, he linked the policy to the Hindu principle of unity in diversity.
  • Bhagwat also said India became a “Vishwaguru” by serving the world rather than seeking superpower status.

India’s record of sheltering persecuted people formed the centrepiece of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks in Toronto, where he said even groups that arrived as aggressors continue to thrive in the country.

Many came to Bharat from outside as aggressors, but they still thrive there, with all their specialties intact. They are now Bharatiya citizens. Muslims are there, Christians are there. Jews are there in small numbers because many migrated from Israel. Parsis are there. Many people come to Bharat for asylum.

— Mohan BhagwatThe RSS chief described India’s treatment of religious communities and asylum seekers at a Hindu community event in Toronto.

“Many came to Bharat from outside as aggressors, but they still thrive there, with all their specialties intact,” Bhagwat said at the “Hindu Vishwa Bandhu, Embrace the World in Friendship” event. He added that Muslims, Christians, Jews and Parsis all live in India, with Jews present in smaller numbers because many migrated to Israel.

Bhagwat said India has given asylum to people persecuted anywhere in the world. He presented that tradition as an expression of the Hindu belief in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or the idea that the world is one family. In his remarks, diversity does not threaten unity in India. Instead, diversity reflects an underlying unity shared by living and non-living beings.

One may call Bharat a superpower, but it was not one. It served the world and by its own character, it became ‘Vishwaguru’, not Mahashakti.

— Mohan BhagwatBhagwat explained his view that India gained global stature through service rather than superpower status.

The RSS leader also described India’s rise in civilisational terms. “One may call Bharat a superpower, but it was not one. It served the world and by its own character, it became ‘Vishwaguru’, not Mahashakti,” he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi often uses the term Vishwaguru, meaning a world teacher or guide, to describe India.

While individuals in the material world may differ in body, shape, and complexion, in essence, we are all one. Therefore, serving others is our duty.

— Mohan BhagwatHe connected his remarks to the Hindu principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

Bhagwat’s appearance came during a visit to Toronto for a Hindu community event. The gathering also featured chants of “Modi, Modi,” while Modi is expected to visit Canada this year.

This is our tradition, the DNA of Bharat. That is why you may have heard the saying, ‘If Hindus awaken, the world awakens’.

— Mohan BhagwatBhagwat framed unity in diversity as a defining Indian and Hindu tradition.
About this summary

Originally published by Hindustan Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog