Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday made a significant ideological statement in Mumbai, asserting that the partition of India occurred due to the erosion of what he described as the “Hindu ethos.”Addressing a gathering, Bhagwat emphasized that India fractured only once in its history, and that moment, according to him, coincided with society forgetting its core civilizational values. Bhagwat stated that respect for all religions is inherent to Hindu philosophy, explaining that this inclusive outlook is the reason India continues to remain a pluralistic nation. He pointed out that Islam and Christianity continue to thrive in India, which he said reflects the country’s civilizational character. “We respect all faiths because we are Hindu,” he remarked, underlining the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world as one family. Referring to historical events, Bhagwat said the subcontinent was divided on religious lines, leading to the creation of Pakistan as an Islamic nation. He further noted that Pakistan later split to form Bangladesh, which also emerged as a Muslim-majority country. In contrast, he said, India chose to define itself as a nation for all, not tied to any single religion. He added that the RSS cannot be fully understood without dialogue and discussion, and warned that forgetting civilizational roots has repeatedly led to crises throughout history.
Nation & Ideology: Mohan Bhagwat Links India’s Partition to Loss of ‘Hindu Ethos’

