RSS chief Bhagwat: Hindus, Muslims share same ancestry, all Indians Hindu

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday said Hindus and Muslims share the same ancestry and every Indian citizen is a "Hindu".

Speaking at an event in Pune, he said "sane" Muslim leaders should stand firmly against fundamentalists.

Stressing that the word Hindu was equivalent to motherland, ancestors and Indian culture, Bhagwat said that this is not disrespecting other views. "We have to think in terms of gaining Indian dominance and not Muslim dominance," he said.

Mohan Bhagwat said for all-round development of India, everyone should work together.

Pointing out that "Islam came to India with invaders", Bhagwat aaid that this is history and should be told in that manner.

Bhagwat blamed the British for creating divisions among Hindus and Muslims.

"Britishers made Hindus and Muslims fight by creating misconception" he said.

"Britishers told Muslims that they won't get anything if they decided to live with Hindus, that only Hindus will be elected & exhorted them to demand a separate (nation). They said Islam will disappear from India. Did it happen? No. Muslims can hold all posts.

"They told Hindus that Muslims are extremists. They made both the communities fight. As a result of that fight&trust deficit, both have been talking about keeping a distance from each other."