Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday clarified that the organisation will not take part in any reclamation campaign for Kashi or Mathura temples. However, he added that RSS volunteers are free to join such movements if they wish. He stressed that Ayodhya was the only campaign in which the Sangh was directly involved.
“Ram temple is the only movement that the RSS supported, it will not join any other, but our volunteers can. The Kashi-Mathura reclamation movements will not be supported by the Sangh, but Swayamsevaks may take part,” Bhagwat said, as quoted by PTI.
He added that Kashi, Mathura and Ayodhya hold deep importance for Hindus and if requested, RSS workers could lend support.
Call for restraint on temple campaigns
Bhagwat further advised against searching for temples or Shivlings everywhere. “Besides these three, I have said there is no need to search for a temple or Shivling everywhere. At the same time, why can’t it happen? It is a matter of only three, you (Hindus) can take it. This will be a big step towards harmony,” he remarked.
The RSS chief also addressed speculation about differences with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He said the two organisations function independently but maintain healthy coordination. “The RSS knows how to run ‘shakhas’ and BJP knows how to run the government. They only give suggestions to each other,” he stated.
On the question of retirement age for politicians, Bhagwat clarified that he never suggested leaders should step down at 75.
Taking questions on issues such as caste, Manusmriti, education, national language, immigration and artificial intelligence, Bhagwat highlighted inclusivity. He said that “Islam will always have a place in India,” rejecting claims that the RSS opposed the Muslim community’s presence.
Views on US-India trade standoff
Bhagwat also spoke about the ongoing tariff tensions with the United States. He said the government was fully capable of managing the situation on its own.
“We don’t tell the government how to deal with Trump; they know what to do and we will support it,” he said. Bhagwat added that while international trade is important, “there can be no friendship under pressure.”