The meeting held by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat with various Muslim religious leaders and intellectuals in the country has begun to resonate in political circles. On this issue, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction has clarified its opinion, calling this dialogue a necessary initiative towards nation-building.
In an editorial published in the party's mouthpiece Saamana on Monday, Uddhav Thackeray praised Bhagwat's meeting and said that this meeting was not limited to mere tea and snacks, but serious issues such as religious tension and social unity in the country were discussed. He called this dialogue a concrete step towards understanding the pain of the Muslim community.
This Step Will Not Please Some
Saamana sharply attacked the hardline Hindutva faction within the BJP, writing that Bhagwat's step may not be liked by those who are pursuing neo-Hindutva politics in states like Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, and Delhi. The editorial sarcastically stated that the leaders who have been constantly spewing venom against Muslims may be so hurt by this dialogue that they might even talk about resigning.
Through this comment, the Uddhav faction has made it clear that they want to distance themselves from leaders who spread hatred in the name of religion and are talking about prioritizing harmony in society.
Accusation of Trying to Divide the Country in the Name of Religion
In the editorial, Thackeray also launched a scathing attack on the central government. He alleged that the current government is trying to systematically deprive Dalits, Christians, and Muslims of their right to vote. Thackeray claimed that the names of minorities are being removed from the voter lists in states like Bihar and Maharashtra. He described this as an example of a hypocritical mindset, not that of great Hindutvadis.
We Are All in the Same Boat
Uddhav Thackeray has appealed to take Bhagwat's initiative forward. He said that people of all religions in India have the same DNA. If the social unity of the country is weakened, all communities will have to bear the loss. Therefore, such dialogues and interactions should be encouraged. He described Bhagwat's step as an important effort towards "nation-building" and spoke of welcoming it.
