Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, addressing a gathering in New York City on Saturday, said that unity and diversity are in the DNA of both Bharat and the United States of America.
Speaking at Madison Square, Bhagwat drew parallels between the two countries and highlighted the idea of unity in diversity. He also spoke about plurality in the Western context, saying that differences among people are a natural feature of life but exist alongside an underlying sense of oneness.
“And when we say Bharat, another phrase is discussed—unity in diversity. This unity and this diversity both are in their DNA,” Bhagwat said while addressing a gathering of around 5,000 people.
The event, titled Universal Oneness Celebration, was organised by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD).
Bhagwat said people may appear different from one another because of their lifestyles, needs and circumstances, but argued that an innate sense of oneness exists beneath these differences.
“Many styles of living, we appear different, we are different,” he said, pointing to the varying circumstances and everyday needs of people. “But there’s an innate oneness. That’s why we feel each other,” he added.
He further described diversity as the “decoration of oneness”, presenting unity not as the absence of differences but as something that exists beneath them.
Bhagwat also linked the idea of oneness to what he described as the responsibilities of individuals, societies and nations.
He said nations should not be viewed merely as geographical entities but should also be understood as having a larger purpose.
Turning to the Indian diaspora in the United States, Bhagwat said Indians living abroad have a primary responsibility towards the country where they live and work.
“So we are Americans and you should be true to them,” he said, stressing the importance of loyalty to the country where one resides.
Bhagwat referred to this responsibility through the concept of karma bhoomi, or the land where a person lives and carries out their duties.
“With the Indian diaspora, they have a duty too: their karma bhoomi. They must fulfill that. They should be loyal to their karma bhoomi,” Bhagwat said.