'Everyone Living In India Is Hindu': RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Describes Four Types Of Hindus

Last Updated:February 08, 2026, 11:21 IST

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat linked the Partition of India to what he described as the erosion of “Hindu bhav” or Hindu sentiment.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said that everyone living in India is “Hindu," asserting that the term reflects the country’s civilisational ethos rather than a religious identity.

Speaking at an event titled ‘100 Years of the Sangh Journey’, Bhagwat said Hindu is not a noun but an adjective that describes India’s cultural nature.

“If you are Indian, this nature is inherent in you," he said, while underlining that Muslims and Christians are an inseparable part of the nation.

Bhagwat said India’s global leadership would be shaped not by rhetoric but by example. He went on to outline four broad categories of Hindus in the country.

The first group, he said, consists of those who openly declare their Hindu identity with pride. The second includes people who acknowledge being Hindu but see nothing exceptional about it.

The third category, according to Bhagwat, comprises those who prefer to speak about their identity only in private. The fourth, he said, includes people who have either forgotten their Hindu identity or have been made to forget it.

The RSS chief linked the Partition of India to what he described as the erosion of “Hindu bhav" or Hindu sentiment.

“Partition happened on the basis of religion. We said we respect all religions because we are Hindus," he said, adding that despite differences and occasional tensions, India has remained united because of its civilisational values.

Bhagwat stressed that embracing Hindutva does not require anyone to abandon their faith, language or cultural practices.

“You lose nothing by accepting Hindutva, not your religious customs, not your language. Hindutva is a guarantee of safety," he said.

He added that while people may differ in beliefs, food habits or languages, they remain one as a society and a nation.

“We call it Hindutva; you may call it Bharatiyata," Bhagwat said, also arguing that the phrase “Hindu-Muslim unity" is misleading because unity presupposes separation.

Calling for engagement rather than perception-driven criticism, Bhagwat said the RSS should be understood through direct dialogue and not propaganda.

“If there is opposition based on facts, we will correct ourselves. But to know the facts, you must come to us," he said.

He also highlighted the importance of conversations within families to prevent issues such as drug abuse and suicides among the youth, stressing the need to instil self-pride and self-awareness.

The event, held at Mumbai’s Nehru Centre in Worli, was attended by several public figures, including actor Salman Khan, filmmaker Subhash Ghai and lyricist Prasoon Joshi.

The lecture marked the first day of a two-day series titled ‘100 Years of Sangh Journey: New Horizons’, aimed at reflecting on the RSS’s evolution, its role in society and its vision for the future as part of its centenary outreach.

News india 'Everyone Living In India Is Hindu': RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Describes Four Types Of Hindus

Read More