Shiv Sena (UBT) on Saturday praised Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat for meeting more than 70 clerics and Muslim intellectuals, calling his initiative vital at a time when “neo Hindutva” activists are trying to divide society under the garb of Hindutva.
In an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana, the Thackeray camp said Bhagwat’s efforts were commendable as the DNA of Hindus and Muslims in Hindustan is the same, and that both communities should work together for the nation’s welfare. “We are all in the same boat. If the boat sinks, everyone will sink. The role of the Sarsanghchalak is to build the nation. For this, the RSS chief needs to be praised,” it stated.
The editorial noted that the RSS chief understood the concerns of Muslim intellectuals, especially at a time when sections of the BJP were allegedly creating religious tension by targeting the Muslim community.
However, the Thackeray camp questioned whether Bhagwat’s outreach would be acceptable to the “new contractors of Hindutva” in the BJP, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra and Delhi. It claimed that “neo Hindutva activists” have stirred up controversy in the name of Hindutva and may oppose the RSS chief’s attempt at building bridges.
The editorial singled out Maharashtra cabinet minister Nitesh Rane, saying he might be “shocked” by Bhagwat’s move and could even resign, given the “venom” he has allegedly spewed against Muslims in recent days.
It further criticised elements within the BJP for trying to sow division for political gain, accusing them of targeting Muslims during elections and raising divisive slogans. It also pointed out that in the past three months, Maharashtra has witnessed the murders of Santosh Deshmukh, Mahadev Munde and Harshal Patil, alongside the deaths of 700 farmers.
The Thackeray camp referenced the Pahalgam attack, alleging that Pakistanis were behind it, but claimed that pro-Hindutva Home Minister Amit Shah had failed to apprehend the culprits.
It also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he was in a state of “Samadhi” and silent on these issues. The editorial alleged that the same people spreading hatred were pushing amendments to the Waqf Board Act to sell its valuable land to cronies, further exposing a “conspiracy” by the BJP.
The piece took aim at unnamed “fake Hindutvaites” in Maharashtra, referencing a group that visited a temple in Guwahati after the June 2022 rebellion and allegedly slaughtered buffaloes. It said Hinduism’s flaws had long been challenged by thinkers and reformers from within the community.
The Thackeray camp highlighted that casteism, superstition and ritualism remain entrenched and pointed to the murders of social reformers Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare and Prof Kalburgi as proof that ritualistic elements resist change. It called for fanaticism to be eradicated from all religions in the national interest.
It also mocked the tendency to see Modi as an incarnation of Vishnu, saying this “ritualism” allows lies to flourish unchecked among devotees. It warned that a Hindutva which seeks to deny other communities the right to vote is “dangerous and anti-national”.
The editorial claimed names of Muslims, Christians and Dalits were being removed from voter rolls in Maharashtra and now Bihar, and urged Bhagwat and Muslim intellectuals to reflect on this.
It hailed the Muslim community’s role in India’s freedom struggle and nation-building, pointing out that Muslims became martyrs in the revolution long before the BJP existed. It noted that Muslim soldiers had died in wars with Pakistan, including the recent deaths of Indian citizens in Poonch and Rajouri during “Operation Sindoor”.
The Thackeray camp called on new Hindutva activists to acknowledge the contributions of figures like Hamid Dalwai and Yusuf Meher Ali, and reminded them of Shahir Amar Sheikh’s legacy during the Samyukta Maharashtra movement.
Concluding its piece, the editorial warned that while some people are trying to distort Hindutva for political fire, both Hindu and Muslim communities must stand together to strengthen the nation.
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