RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Meets 60 Muslim Clerics in Fresh Outreach to Build Religious Harmony Amid Waqf Act Concerns
In a significant gesture aimed at fostering interfaith dialogue and national integration, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat held an extended interaction on Thursday with over 60 Muslim clerics (ulemas) from across India.
The meeting marks a renewed effort by the Sangh Parivar to build bridges with the country’s largest religious minority, amidst a backdrop of rising political and communal tensions.
Outreach Amid Controversy
This high-profile interaction took place at Haryana Bhavan in New Delhi and was facilitated by the All India Imam Organisation (AIIO), a leading national body representing Muslim clerics, under the leadership of Umer Ahmed Ilyasi.
The event gains added significance as it follows months of anger within the Muslim community over the controversial Waqf Amendment Act, which was passed earlier this year despite opposition from numerous Muslim bodies and political parties.
Critics, including prominent Muslim organisations and Opposition leaders, have accused the Narendra Modi-led BJP government of using the amended Act as a tool to undermine the autonomy of Waqf properties—endowments that hold immense religious and cultural value in the Muslim community.
The legislation was passed in Parliament despite widespread protests and concern that it could pave the way for the state takeover of Waqf lands, many of which are dedicated to mosques, dargahs, madrassas, and graveyards.
First-of-Its-Kind Engagement
Speaking to The media, Ilyasi described the meeting as historic.
“This was the first-ever interaction of its kind between the RSS chief and a large group of Muslim ulemas. The dialogue was warm, constructive, and focused on building mutual understanding. More such engagements will follow,” he said.
According to Ilyasi, the ulemas in attendance included heads of mosques and madrasas from various states, making the event a wide-ranging representation of Islamic leadership in India.
Past Encounters and Growing Ties
This was not Bhagwat’s first outreach toward the Muslim community. In September 2022, the RSS chief had visited Ilyasi’s Delhi office and madrasa, which includes a mosque on its premises.
The meeting had sparked headlines, especially after Ilyasi referred to Bhagwat as “Rashtra Pita” (Father of the Nation)—a term traditionally associated with Mahatma Gandhi—raising both eyebrows and debates in political and religious circles.
The RSS, however, has stayed cautious in its public messaging. It did not release an official statement on Thursday’s meeting, terming the interaction instead as part of an ongoing “routine outreach” by the Sangh Parivar to engage with diverse segments of Indian society in the interest of national unity.
‘Sources indicated that these efforts are also tied to the upcoming centenary of the RSS, which was founded in October 1925 and is planning nationwide commemorative events later this year.
Trust-Building Takes Centre Stage
Asked whether contentious issues like the Waqf Amendment Act were raised, Ilyasi clarified that the objective of the meeting was primarily to build trust and open communication channels, especially in an atmosphere often charged with suspicion and misinformation.
“All relevant issues were touched upon in a friendly atmosphere. But our main goal was to foster goodwill and explore the scope for deeper understanding. We believe that sustained dialogue is the only way to resolve long-standing differences,” he said.
