All Indians are Hindu by identity: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (chief) Mohan Bhagwat on the last day of three-day outreach conclave said that everyone who lives in India is Hindu by identity, nationality.

"All those who live in India are Hindu. All people are our own. Our tradition is unity," said Bhagwat.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also pitched for protection of cows but disapproved of going against the law in the name of such vigilantism.

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The Sangh head also said, "We have to reject the double-speak as there is no talk of violence by cow smugglers." He was replying to questions on cow vigilantism and mob lynching.

It is a crime to take law in one's own hands, Bhagwat said on cow vigilantism and asserted there should be stringent punishment in such cases.

The question came in the backdrop of instances of alleged lynching by cow vigilantes in several states.

RSS chief who has shared his views on wide-ranging subjects in course of a three-day outreach conclave, said: "We need a new education policy which is a mix of modern education and our traditions."

Bhagwat said caste system has become an aberration now and is an outdated concept. Most inter-caste marriages in India are done by RSS cadre, he said, adding “we are trying to unite all Hindus”.

“First inter-caste marriage in Maharashtra took place in 1942, congratulatory messages poured for them, including ones from Baba Saheb Ambedkar and Sri Guruji. Guruji had said 'you aren't getting married only due to physical attraction. You want to convey that everyone is equal',” the RSS chief said.

“If you do a survey of inter-caste marriages in India, maybe you will find the maximum percentage of those being Swayamsevaks from the Sangh,” Bhagwat added.

(With inputs from agencies)