New Delhi, September 18: Taking critics by surprise, Rashtriya Swamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday promoted the principle of communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims. Speaking at the Sangh’s three-day conclave, Bhagwat said that Hindutva means Indianness and inclusivity and if we don't accept Muslims, it's not Hindutva. The RSS chief also said that the primary aim of the Sangh was to unite the country.

Bhagwat reiterated that the RSS would not contest any elections and its functionaries could not be office bearers of any political party. He further added that since Sangh’s birth it was decided to stay away from politics. Mohan Bhagwat while speaking at the conclave also said that the Sangh had no say in the government policies as the government was capable enough to run the country.

Yesterday, Bhagwat praised the Congress for playing a "major role" in India's independence movement. He said, “There were selfless people associated with the Congress then, and some to even this date. At that time (pre-independence era), Congress emerged at the forefront of our agitation against the British rule.”

The RSS is conducting a three-day conclave the 'Bharat of Future' event at Vigyan Bhawan. The RSS, however, claimed that it had issued an invite to a selected number of leaders from the Opposition camp, including former Tripura CM and CPI(M) veteran Manik Sarkar. While the Opposition boycotted the event en masse, members of the social and artistic fraternity attended the programme.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2018 08:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).