Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said that his organisation was working to make the Hindu community united and strong, asserting it is "not opposed to anybody".
Bhagwat also said only the weakness of the Hindus are to be blamed for their oppression in neighbouring Bangladesh.
He was speaking at a RSS rally in Kolkata for which the city police had earlier refused permission. The Calcutta high court on Friday allowed the RSS to hold the programme.
"We have formed this organisation not to oppose anybody, but to strengthen ourselves. The Hindu Samaj has a glorious history in this country,", he said, and asked, "Despite such glorious history is the condition of the Hindu Samaj same, the way it should have been?"
"Are the Hindus able to perform their religious rites and activities freely and fairly across India? Are human rights of the Hindus well established in this country?," he asked.
"If the answer is no, then why do you get surprised when Hindus are being oppressed in Bangladesh? The Hindus are only responsible for their own condition. Hindus are facing this situation because they are not united and strong. We should work in uniting the Hindu Samaj, without opposing anybody," Bhagwat said.
In October last year during the Durga Puja festival, the RSS had complained to state Governor K N Tripathi that the Hindus were not being able to perform their religious rites properly in some parts of the state.
In a subtle dig at the state administration, which had opposed the rally, Bhagwat said it is always fun to work and reach the target despite all odds and hurdles.
"Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the founder of the RSS, despite all odds had formed this organisation for the unity of Hindus. Many people had opposed us and our work, but we are standing firm," he said and asked the RSS cadres to increase their activities to strengthen the Hindu community.
"We all need to take a oath that to strengthen Bharat, the Hindu Samaj has to unite and spread the message of love. You should spend one-third of your time each day and one-third of your income in the development of the country. You should not stand outside, rather you have to be part of this developmental process," Bhagwat said.
IMAGE: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat addresses in a rally in Kolkata. Photograph: Ashok Bhaumik/PTI Photo
