Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, addressing the Hindu Vishwa Bandhu – Embrace the World in Friendship gathering in Toronto, spoke about India’s civilisational outlook and its long-standing traditions of coexistence, compassion and service.
Bhagwat said the idea of being a Hindu cannot be restricted to a particular language, religious practice or lifestyle. He described these differences as natural expressions of human diversity and said the Hindu tradition accepts and respects them.
Referring to India’s history, Bhagwat said the country has provided refuge to people facing persecution in different parts of the world. He also pointed out that communities that arrived in India at different points in history, including those who came as aggressors, continued to preserve their distinctive identities while eventually becoming part of Indian society.
‘India did not become Vishwaguru through conquest’
The RSS chief also spoke about India’s influence beyond its geographical boundaries. He said that while Bharat is sometimes described as a superpower, its civilisational journey was not based on the pursuit of power or the conquest of other nations.
According to Bhagwat, India earned the description of Vishwaguru through its character and its contribution to humanity rather than by becoming a Mahashakti.
He referred to the journeys undertaken by India’s ancestors across distant parts of the world, including regions stretching from Mexico to Siberia and Southeast Asia. He said these journeys were not aimed at conquering territories but at sharing knowledge and civilisational values.
Bhagwat mentioned disciplines such as astronomy and Ayurveda as examples of India’s contributions, while also highlighting the spread of its cultural values.
‘Diversity itself is a form of unity’
During his address, Bhagwat also emphasised India’s tradition of extending assistance to others. He said helping those in need, even without being asked, is part of what he described as the country’s cultural ethos.
He further explained that Indian traditions view the world as interconnected and encourage people to recognise a sense of unity among diverse forms of life.
According to Bhagwat, differences have historically not been viewed as a barrier to unity in India. Instead, he said the country’s civilisational outlook teaches that diversity can itself represent another expression of togetherness.
His remarks in Toronto centred on India’s cultural identity, its approach to diversity and its historical relationship with people and societies beyond its borders.
