New Delhi, Sep 29: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday pitched for gender equality and asked men to treat women as goddesses rather than slaves. Addressing a gathering at Indira Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sansthan, Mohan Bhagwat also emphasised on the need for strict laws for women's safety in the country.

“Women are no lesser than men. They have been handling family affairs and acting as leaders in major sectors, which is a positive indication,” Bhagwat was quoted as saying. The RSS chief's remarks come in the backdrop of the opposition parties' charge that the RSS is an exclusive outfit for men. Recently, Congress president Rahul Gandhi also said that woman had no place in the RSS. Mohan Bhagwat Takes RSS Critics by Surprise, Says 'No Hindutva if We Don't Accept Muslims'.

Reacting to Gandhi's statement, Bhagwat had said that the issue of letting women become a part of RSS was discussed during its inception in 1925 by KB Hedgewar. However, it was decided to keep a separate organisation for women called ‘Rashtriya Sewa Samiti’, he said. Bhagwat recently claimed that a Hindu "Rashtra" (nation) would include Muslims as well.

Bhagwat also said that if the Muslims themselves build the Ram temple in Ayodhya, it will help mitigate the animosity between the Hindus and Muslims.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 29, 2018 11:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).