RSS Allows Member Participation in Kashi and Mathura Temple Campaigns

RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said the organization would not object if members support campaigns related to the Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura and the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi. However, he warned against broader efforts aimed at reclaiming multiple religious sites, noting the potential for social unrest.

In an interview with Vikrama, the RSS's Kannada publication, Hosabale referred to the 1984 Dharma Sansad organized by the VHP. “At that time, saints and religious leaders discussed three temples. If some of our swayamsevaks want to support these causes — Ram Janmabhoomi, Kashi Vishwanath, and Krishna Janmabhoomi — they are free to do so,” he said.

Bhagwat Opposes Spreading Temple Disputes

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, in December 2024, spoke against expanding the Ram temple campaign to other locations. He stated that the Ayodhya issue was tied to religious belief and should not be used as a model for other disputes. “Bringing up other locations based on hostility is not acceptable,” he said, as reported by Times of India.

After the Supreme Court’s 2019 verdict on the Ayodhya case, Bhagwat clarified that RSS avoids direct involvement in movements. “We focus on character development, not activism,” he stated, countering slogans like “Ayodhya is just the beginning, Kashi and Mathura are next.”

Legal Process Preferred for Kashi and Mathura

Hosabale has emphasized that the issues concerning the Kashi and Mathura temples should be resolved through legal channels. He said that just as the Ayodhya dispute was settled in court, similar cases do not need large-scale mobilization.

Addressing Broader Social Challenges

Hosabale also discussed issues like cow slaughter, religious conversions, and love jihad. However, he urged greater focus on ending untouchability, preserving cultural traditions among young people, and protecting indigenous languages.

Trilingual Policy as a Language Solution

Hosabale supported the adoption of a three-language system, which he said could resolve most language-related issues. He stressed the importance of promoting Indian languages and providing job opportunities for those educated in them. “If younger generations don’t learn these languages, they may disappear,” he said. He urged leaders in various sectors to support this approach.

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