RSS Leader Dattatreya Hosabale in Washington, D.C.: “Indian Muslims Share the Same Civilizational Roots—Dialogue Is Key to Bridging Divides”
During an interaction in Washington, D.C., Dattatreya Hosabale, the General Secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), offered a candid and nuanced perspective on the organization’s view of India’s Muslim community.
Responding to a question on how the RSS perceives Muslims, Hosabale articulated a position centered on shared heritage, cultural continuity, and the importance of dialogue.
He stated that an overwhelming majority of Indian Muslims trace their ancestry to the same civilizational roots as other Indians.
“Nearly all Muslims in India have ancestors from this very land,” he noted, emphasizing that a change in faith or mode of worship does not alter one’s lineage or national identity.
According to him, religious transformation over time should not be conflated with a break in historical or cultural belonging.
Hosabale underscored that identity, in the Indian context, is shaped not solely by religion but by a deeper, shared civilizational experience.
He described Indian Muslims as an integral part of the broader social fabric, bound by common ancestry, cultural traditions, and a long, intertwined history that predates contemporary religious distinctions.
At the same time, he acknowledged that mistrust and tensions between communities have surfaced at various points, often driven by political interests or deliberate misrepresentations.
He suggested that such divisions are neither inevitable nor insurmountable, but rather the result of accumulated misunderstandings that require conscious efforts to resolve.
To address this, Hosabale stressed the need for sustained and meaningful engagement.
He highlighted that in recent years, the RSS has initiated outreach efforts involving Muslim intellectuals and community leaders.
These interactions, he said, are aimed at fostering mutual understanding, dispelling long-standing doubts, and building a foundation of trust.
His remarks reflected a broader emphasis on dialogue over discord—an approach that seeks to recognize shared roots while encouraging open communication as a way forward.
In doing so, he projected a vision where historical commonalities are acknowledged and leveraged to strengthen social cohesion in contemporary India.
