‘Doublespeak’: Opposition parties slam RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, say he can’t tolerate diversity at home

'Doublespeak': Opposition parties slam RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, say he can't tolerate diversity at home Reacting to Bhagwat's remarks, Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed remarked the RSS chief should "stop lying" and alleged that the RSS's DNA has "hatred and communalism".

Key points

• Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat speaks at 'One World, One Humanity' faith leaders' conference, in New York, USA, Saturday, Aug.
• 3 min read New Delhi Aug 31, 2026 05: 20 AM IST.
• Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal took a swipe at Bhagwat, saying he was left wondering whether it was Congress leader Rahul Gandhi or the Sangh chief speaking.
• Hindu wanting Muslims out of India won't remain a Hindu: Mohan Bhagwat in New York.
• Congress leader Udit Raj remarked Bhagwat produced the statement to placate those protesting against the RSS in New York.

3 min read New Delhi Aug 31, 2026 05: 20 AM IST. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in New York on Sunday. (PTI).

THE OPPOSITION on Sunday accused RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat of indulging in doublespeak over his remarks on diversity, even as the BJP hailed him, saying he has shown the world what Hinduism actually means.

Congress leader Udit Raj remarked Bhagwat produced the statement to placate those protesting against the RSS in New York. "They are two-faced individuals, they change their colours like a chameleon. Since there were protests against them in New York, they had to try to counter it with such a jumla (rhetoric)., " he remarked.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi accused Bhagwat of indulging in "doublespeak" and termed the speech "the oldest trick in the RSS playbook". "Some words are for the world, and some are for its own members. What do they say regarding Muslims and other minorities?" "My request to Bhagwat is that he should just recite choice extracts from the poisonous works of Savarkar, Hedgewar, Golwalkar, etc. Let individuals decide what they produce of RSS, " he noted.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat speaks at 'One World, One Humanity' faith leaders' conference, in New York, USA, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (PTI Photo) Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut remarked the RSS chief needed to produce the same statement in India. "This statement and ideology, Bhagwat ji should speak regarding it in India. When there is a protester against you, you will say something different, their individuals who are sitting in power in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, those in Maharashtra.imported from other parties – he should tell them this.You will say something in New York and in Bharat. This is not called dharma but dhong (drama), " he remarked.

'Bharat's destiny is to create world realise unity in diversity': Mohan Bhagwat at New York event.

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal took a swipe at Bhagwat, saying he was left wondering whether it was Congress leader Rahul Gandhi or the Sangh chief speaking. "You accept diversity abroad; you do not tolerate diversity at home, " remarked Sibal.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis remarked tolerance is the soul of Hindutva. "Tolerance runs in the blood of Hindus, it is a fundamental aspect of Hindutva. If someone attacks you, there must certainly be a counter-response; nevertheless, a Hindu never initiates an attack."

Cockroach Janta Party leader Abhijeet Dipke remarked the BJP thinks it has become bigger than the RSS, but it should pay heed to what the Sangh chief has been saying. With PTI inputs. © The Indian Express Pvt Ltd.

Taken together, the developments around 'Doublespeak': Opposition parties slam RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, say he can't tolerate point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.