RSS chief Bhagwat meets Muslim clerics. On agenda: how to foster ‘dialogue between Mandirs & Masjids'

The Print

3 days ago

All parties, the AIIO head said, decided that more such meetings would be held on a regular basis with the aim of clearing 'misunderstandings' that exist between the two communities.
Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi told ThePrint that the meeting was organised by the All India Imam Organisation (AIIO) on its 50th anniversary at a time when the Sangh, too, is celebrating its centenary year as it completes 100 years in October.
New Delhi: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat held a closed-door meeting with senior Muslim clerics, including the chief of All India Imam Organisation, Thursday with an aim to bridge 'misunderstandings' that exist between the two communities.
'It was proposed in the meeting that a dialogue should be initiated between Mandir and Masjid, Imams and Pujaris, and Gurukuls and Madarasa. We will take it forward now. The meeting focused on clearing misunderstandings, ending hate, and fostering trust through open discussion. Dialogue is the solution to every problem. Despite differences in worship or caste, our nation is supreme,' he said, terming the get-together a 'landmark meet'.
The meeting at Haryana Bhawan in Delhi lasted nearly three hours and included top leaders of the Sangh, over 60 Muslim clerics, intellectuals, maulanas, and scholars.
'This is a continuous process of extensive dialogue with all sections of society. The main objective is how everyone can work together in the interest of the country. Today's discussion was positive,' RSS national publicity and media department head Sunil Ambekar told ThePrint.
According to sources, the aim of the meeting was to discuss ways to strengthen communal harmony in the country.
'Sangh as an organisation works for all. We always focus on connecting with people. Bhagwat ji always meets people, and connects with intellectuals and people from all communities. This meeting too should be viewed that way,' a senior RSS functionary said.
Ilyasi said that they had requested Bhagwat for a meeting. 'Open discussions happened on every topic. It is the start of a dialogue. Dialogue is the solution to every problem. Dialogue removes misunderstanding, ends hatred, and creates love and mutual trust,' he added.
'Today, for the first time, the RSS under Mohan Bhagwat ji met with 60 people and this dialogue happened. He also spoke openly. Talks dwelled on national topics; a lot of discussions happened, and I feel that this effort will continue further.'
Another source pointed out that emphasis was laid on improving communal bonds within the society. 'Emphasis was laid on the fact that communal harmony needs to be strengthened, which is vital for the progress of the nation. At the same time, both sides agreed that there exist a lot of misconceptions and misunderstandings and that emphasis should be laid on removing them in a systematic manner,' the source said.
On the other hand, Ilyasi said it was also decided that the discussion and dialogue should be visible at the ground level, and, hence, 'it has been decided that from temples, from mosques, from priests, from Imams, from gurukuls, from madrasas, this effort and dialogues will be taken forward'.
Regarding the topics that came up for discussion, Ilyasi said all national issues were touched upon, especially those which are in the 'interest of the nation'. 'I feel this dialogue will continue ahead and it will keep going. For that, we all have to take it ahead on a big scale, that has been decided,' he added.
This is not the first time that Bhagwat has met intellectuals from the Muslim community. In 2022, a group of Muslim intellectuals, including former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y.Quraishi and former Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung, had met Bhagwat.
Soon after this, Bhagwat had visited a mosque in Delhi's Kasturba Gandhi Marg to meet Ilyasi at the All India Imam Organisation's office there.
In 2019 too, Bhagwat met Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind head Maulana Syed Arshad Madani at the RSS office and had discussed several issues, including strengthening unity between Hindus and Muslims and also the incidents of mob lynching.
'There can be differences of mind, but there should not be differences of opinion. All of us (should be) together in the same way… Our nation is supreme, and this should always be kept in mind. Our castes may be different, the ways we pray may surely be different, our ways of worship may surely be different, our religions may surely be different, but first of all—we all live in India and we are all Indians,' Ilyasi said.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Also Read: RSS chief Bhagwat draws the line at 75. India's politics stares at the Modi Exception