Bengaluru, Nov 9 (NationPress) Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Chief Mohan Bhagwat asserted on Sunday that everyone is invited to join the RSS, extending a welcome to all who regard this land as their motherland.

“No Brahmin, Shaiva, Muslim, or Christian is excluded from the Sangh. The term Hindu includes all individuals who consider this land their motherland. Members from various backgrounds can join the Sangh; just set aside your distinct identities,” he remarked.

He made these comments when asked if Muslims could be part of the Sangh and how the organization aims to foster trust among minorities. “Your individuality is appreciated. But upon entering the Shakha, you come as a child of Bharat Mata -- as a part of this Hindu community,” he explained.

“Muslims and Christians participate in the Shakha alongside individuals from diverse Hindu castes. We do not count who they are, nor do we inquire about their backgrounds. We consider everyone as sons of Bharat Mata,” Bhagwat clarified.

Discussing outreach efforts, he noted, “In the past, certain communities and groups, like the church, were kept at a distance. We now need to make explicit efforts to engage with them -- that’s the purpose of our outreach program. However, outreach does not imply imposing anything.”

He elaborated, “The Sangh is committed to aiding everyone. Each individual has to fulfill their own responsibilities and achieve their own progress. We prepare individuals to do so. Remember, even God assists those who take initiative. So, do not expect anything from the Sangh,” he stated.

“However, if you approach the Sangh without anticipating anything from others, you can achieve your own objectives. That is our teaching. So yes, there is outreach -- and if others are engaging in noble acts, we will support them,” he added.

In response to a question about whether the Sangh would establish schools for Muslims, Bhagwat stated, “We do not create schools for specific communities or castes. The Sangh concentrates solely on its fundamental mission -- man-making. Our volunteers operate distinct, autonomous organizations. We expect them to achieve self-reliance without needing external help.”

“They will operate on the same principle -- ‘God helps those who help themselves’. There are Shishu Mandirs in Muslim neighborhoods as well, managed by Vidya Bharati,” he observed.

“The outreach is merely a request to contribute. The Sangh encourages individuals to dedicate their efforts for Bharat Mata. The Sangh does not provide anything -- it requests everything,” Bhagwat emphasized.

Answering another query on Gen Z, artificial intelligence, and contemporary attractions, Bhagwat remarked, “In the Sangh, any transformation is acceptable except one core truth -- that Hindustan is a Hindu nation. That will remain constant. Everything else can adapt.”

“Proposals are debated, and once a consensus is reached, changes are implemented swiftly. Until then, discussions carry on. This is our method, through which we have made numerous changes,” he explained.

He added, “Individuals from all backgrounds can join the Sangh. Transgenders too -- if they participate in programs and respect the concept of a Hindu nation -- are welcome. There are no restrictions.”

On engaging younger generations, Bhagwat mentioned, “If Gen Z is active on social media, we must engage there. During Dr. Hedgewar's era, there were two generations -- those with him and those he recruited. The youth were attracted to cinema and cricket. Once, Hedgewar visited a cinema and stood in line with volunteers to buy tickets -- after that, everything normalized,” he recalled.

“To connect with them, we need to go to where they are. If they are passionate about something, we should understand it too. Don’t fret about generational shifts -- our methods and programs are highly adaptable. We will continue to evolve with time,” Bhagwat concluded.