Can RSS Chief Dr. Mohan Bhagwat Foster Communal Harmony with Muslim Leaders in Delhi?
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Dr. Mohan Bhagwat's initiative aims to promote unity between communities.
 - The meeting includes over 50 Muslim leaders and scholars.
 - Previous engagements have set a precedent for dialogue.
 - Criticism of RSS highlights the importance of this meeting.
 - Creating an atmosphere of peace is the main objective.
 
New Delhi, July 24 (NationPress) In a significant move to address Hindu-Muslim tensions, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Dr. Mohan Bhagwat is set to convene with over 50 Muslim religious leaders and scholars at Haryana Bhagwan in New Delhi this Thursday.
This meeting is crucial, especially amid ongoing criticism from the opposition and civil society aimed at the RSS for allegedly fostering division based on religious and cultural differences.
A senior RSS official, who spoke to IANS on the condition of anonymity, stated, "This isn't the first occasion where the RSS chief has engaged with Muslim religious figures and intellectuals. The primary goal is to mend divides and cultivate an atmosphere of peace and unity."
In addition to Dr. Bhagwat, other senior RSS officials are expected to attend, including Joint General Secretary Krishna Gopal and Indresh Kumar.
Notably, Indresh Kumar leads the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), an RSS affiliate that collaborates with Muslim community leaders nationwide. On the Muslim side, Umar Ahmed Ilyasi, head of the All-India Imam Organisation, will also be present, accompanied by various other religious scholars.
It’s essential to recognize that this isn't the RSS's first direct engagement with Muslim leaders. In 2022, amidst controversies surrounding the Gyanvapi Mosque, the Hijab issue, and population control debates, Dr. Bhagwat met with several prominent Muslim delegations, including former Delhi LG Najeeb Jung and former Chief Election Commissioner Dr. SY Quraishi.
Additionally, during a statement made last December regarding temple-mosque disputes, Dr. Bhagwat remarked, "No one will become a leader of Hindus by inciting communal discord."
This comment was perceived as an effort to promote unity and close the gap between Hindus and Muslims.