New Delhi

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statement expressing disappointment at the pronouncements in a series of Dharam Sansad events does not represent Hindutva has drawn a favourable response from many Muslims.

Zafar Sareshwala, former Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University said that the rising trend of hate speeches in Dharam Sansads is a worrying factor for the country.

“I have spoken to many people of the Sangh about Dharam Sansads. They themselves are worried about it. The people of the Sangh say that this is not the ideology of the Sangh and the Hindu religion. Those who talk like this, irrespective of religion, will be marginalized,” Sareshwala said.

There has been a feeling in the Sangh that hate speeches at Dharm Sansads were harmful to social harmony and the integrity of the country.

Last week, senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar condemned the alleged hate speeches against minorities at the Haridwar Dharam Sansad said all those who make provocative and divisive remarks should be punished as per law without any exception.

In an interview with PTI, he termed the “politics of hate” as “corruption” and called all political parties and their leaders to refrain from indulging in hate-mongering and pitting one section of the society against the other.

In Assam, Mohd Hilaluddin Qasimi, head of Asom Markazul Ulum welcomed Bhagwat’s statement.

“Bhagwat’s statement has reflected the true philosophy of Hindu religion. No religion teaches to hate other religions. Since Bhagwat Sahab is a scholar, he understands the essence of Hinduism. Hope the RSS chief statement will be followed by everyone in the country,” said Qasimi whose madrasa in Guwahati had drawn the attention of former US President Barack Obama in 2013.

Renowned surgeon and Padmashree Dr. Illias Ali said Bhagwat’s statement is positive and it must be reflected on the ground. He said there are fundamentalist elements in every religion and Hinduism is not an exception. “The civil society must come out against such fundamentalists. Let us start the process,” Dr. Ali said.

Noted writer and commentator Maini Mahanta said all right-thinking Hindus have condemned the anti-Muslim speeches at Dharam Sansads. “Now the statement against Dharam Sansad has come from none other than the RSS chief. I hope Bhagwat’s words will silence those who are misinterpreting Hinduism,” Mahanta said.

Waheeda Rahman, a jewellery pioneer completely agreed with Mohan Bhagwat’s statement. She said it will help remove many misunderstandings between Hindu and Muslim communities.

Prominent Islamic scholar Professor Akhtar al-Wasa said Muslims welcomed Bhagwat’s statement.

“The statement of RSS chief Mohan Bhagat is commendable, its importance cannot be denied. Although the statement came late it should be taken positively. At the same time, it is necessary to take steps to change the situation on the ground. The RSS is not an ordinary organization.”

He also urged the RSS chief to lay the foundation of dialogue in Indian society which will help to eradicate fear, terror, and hatred in the country.

Ghulam Qadir, Former Chief Manager of Western Cold Fields and Advisor to an NGO welcomed Bhagwat’s remarks and said the government must ban hate-mongering organisations.

“Mohan Bhagwat ji spoke maturely. But who are the people who talk provocatively in the Dharam Sansads and what is their purpose? This too should be brought to light. Despite the Dharam Sansad hate speech being reported to the Supreme Court, such things are not stopping. The country is already suffering due to the coronavirus pandemic and in the middle of it there are people who want to endanger peace.”

The RSS’ Muslim wing, Muslim Rashtriya Manch said no one should speak about the country’s disintegration. 

“No one should talk about breaking the country. Our organization, our leader Indresh Kumar talks about the integrity, brotherhood of the country. The organizers of the Dharam Sansads have their own thinking. It would be better to ask them why they do such things,” Khurshid Rajaka, National Convennor of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch, said.

A Dharam Sansad in Haridwar in December was flagged for alleged incendiary speeches that called for genocide of Muslims and asked Hindus to prepare to attack the minority community.

A journalist and a former judge of the Allahabad high court moved the Supreme Court against the hate speech campaign following which the top court issued notice to the Uttarakhand government.

Two of the speakers at the Haridwar Dharam Sansad – Wasim Rizvi aka Jitender Tyagi and Yeti Narsinganand were arrested last month for their hate speeches. The trial court has rejected their bail pleas.