Mohan Bhagwat Warns Hindus Worldwide Will Support Bangladesh Minorities If They Choose To Fight
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat delivered a stern warning on Sunday regarding the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh, stating that if the community decides to assert its rights, Hindus globally would rally to support them.
Speaking on the second day of the RSS lecture series ‘100 Years of Sangh Journey: New Horizons’ in Mumbai, Bhagwat highlighted that approximately 1.25 crore Hindus reside in Bangladesh.
“There are about 1.25 crore Hindus in Bangladesh. If they decide to stay there and fight, all Hindus across the world will help them,” Bhagwat was quoted by India Today as saying.
The two-day Vyakhyanmala, during which Mohan Bhagwat addressed the gathering, was organised to commemorate the RSS centenary at the Nehru Centre in Mumbai’s Worli.
Turmoil in Bangladesh has persisted following the ousting of exiled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Mob violence targeting minorities has escalated since student leader Osman Hadi was killed in December last year.
Multiple Hindus, including individuals such as Dipu Chandra Das, have lost their lives in mob lynching incidents. Victims included businessmen, labourers and students. These attacks occurred during street protests that evolved into coordinated assaults on minority communities.
RSS Chief Calls for Action Against Illegal Infiltrators
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also called upon citizens to “detect and report” suspected “illegal infiltrators” to law enforcement, urging people not to provide them employment and to exercise greater “vigilance”. Bhagwat noted that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise has already identified “foreigners” residing in the country.
“The government has a lot to do regarding infiltration. They have to detect and deport. This wasn’t happening until now, but it has started slowly and will gradually increase. When the census or the SIR is conducted, many people come to light who are not citizens of this country; they are automatically excluded from the process,” he said.
“But we can do one thing: we can work on detection. Their language gives them away. We should detect them and report them to the appropriate authorities. We should inform the police that we suspect these people are foreigners, and they should investigate and keep an eye on them, and we will also keep an eye on them. We will not give employment to any foreigner. If someone is from our country, we will give them employment, but not to foreigners. You should be a little more vigilant and aware,” he added.
Emphasising the inclusivity of the Sangh, he stated that anyone can become ‘Sarsanghchalak’ (RSS chief), including SCs and STs, as the selection is based exclusively on an individual’s contribution to the organisation.
“Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra or Brahmin does not qualify for the Sarsanghchalak position (RSS Chief), a Hindu will become the one who works and is best available. A Hindu will become, and that can also be an SC or ST. Anyone can become it, depending on the work. Today, if you see, all classes have representation in the Sangh. The decision is taken on the basis of one who works and is best available,” he said.
Mohan Bhagwat also endorsed caste-based reservations and expressed his belief that it should remain in place “as long as needed”, as he encouraged Hindus to stay united despite politicians’ attempts to appeal to voters based on caste.