Hindus respect and accept all, India sheltered even 'aggressors' who came from outside: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has said the term " Hindu " cannot be restricted to any one language, form of worship or way of life, arguing that these differences reflect the diversity inherent in human society.

Speaking at the ‘Hindu Vishwa Bandhu – Embrace the World in Friendship’ event in Toronto, Bhagwat said Hindus respect and accept all forms of diversity. He said India had historically offered refuge to people persecuted in other parts of the world and had even accommodated those who had arrived as "aggressor".

#WATCH | Toronto, Canada | RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat says, "When I say Hindu, the word Hindu cannot be defined by any specific language, through any specific worship, or through any living style. All these are there. These are the diversities of human beings. Hindus respect and… pic.twitter.com/oIOHOrH3gZ

— ANI (@ANI) August 31, 2026

"Many came to Bharat from outside as aggressors, but they still thrive there, with all their specialties intact. They are now Bharatiya citizens. Muslims are there, Christians are there. Jews are there in small numbers because many migrated from Israel. Parsis are there. Many people come to Bharat for asylum," Bhagwat said.

He said India had traditionally provided asylum to those facing persecution anywhere in the world.

Elaborating on what he described as the country’s civilisational outlook, Bhagwat said the tradition of recognising unity despite differences was embedded in the "DNA of Bharat".

"This is our tradition, the DNA of Bharat. That is why you may have heard the saying, 'If Hindus awaken, the world awakens'. They regard both the animate and the inanimate as their own. They have been taught to see unity in diversity. That is why diversity never poses a problem for unity in India; our tradition teaches us that not only is there unity in diversity, but diversity itself is a form of unity," he said.

Bhagwat also invoked the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam , saying that while people may differ in their bodies, appearance and complexion, they are fundamentally one. Serving others, he said, was therefore a duty and a source of enduring happiness and contentment.

He further said India had a long tradition of extending help to those in need, whether assistance was sought or offered without being asked.

Bhagwat also described India’s rise as a "Vishwaguru", saying the country did not attain that position by becoming a conventional global power.

"One may call Bharat a superpower, but it was not one. It served the world and by its own character, it became ‘Vishwaguru’, not Mahashakti," he said.