'Indian Muslims are Hindu by nationality, our brothers': RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Correspondent

NewsBits.in

BHOPAL: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday said that Indian Muslims were also Hindu by nationality.

Bhagwat made this statement during his speech in the Hindu Mahasammelan at Betul in Madhya Pradesh.

The Sangh chief also said that Muslims were brothers for the Hindus. "One could practice idolatory or not, can be Muslim by faith. But all are Hindu by nationality", he added.

The RSS chief visited the Betul jail also during his visit despite strong opposition from the Congress. Bhagwat went to the cell where former RSS sarsanghchalak MS Golwalkar had been incarcerated after Mahatma Gandhi's assassination when RSS was banned.

Congress had said that Bhagwat was not on any constitutional post and yet he was allowed to visit the jail just like an official on a constitutional position. The party had said that it may take action against jail officials if Bhagwat was allowed to visit jail.

"It was nothing but an attempt to glorify the Sangh, which was banned in the wake of Gandhi's killing", said the party. Today, RSS chief visited the jail though his armed security personnel were not allowed to enter the prison. Party said that only someone who was kin or friends with jail inmate could step into the prison.

"This was violation of the jail manual, which was made due to state government pressure", said a Congress spokesperson, who questioned how could photo of Golwalkar be placed in the jail cell and garlanded.

The Tribal groups had also been opposing the Sammelan and had asked local tribals not to attend the event. They alleged that Sangh wants to convert tribals into Hindus. The RSS leaders, however, maintain that tribals are Hindu and there is no question of conversion or changing their lifestyle.