From society to politics: Bhagwat lays out RSS route to change

NEW DELHI: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday placed Hindu inclusiveness and society-led political change at the centre of his closely watched address at Madison Square Garden, saying a Hindu who wanted India without Muslims would “not remain Hindu” and arguing that public opinion—not political power—was the starting point for lasting change.Bhagwat said the RSS wanted to influence policies, prevent conflicts and “stop wars”, but could not begin by seeking political influence. “Politics has now become a game of self-interest,” he said. Change, he argued, must start in society and create a public view that governments cannot disregard. “If there is public opinion, then no politician will dare to go against it,” he said.Speaking at the “Universal Oneness Celebration” at the Infosys Theatre in Madison Square Garden, Bhagwat said religions were different routes to the same truth.