New York:
More than 200 religious leaders and representatives from 30 countries came together at the “Universal Oneness – One World, One Humanity” summit held at the renowned Madison Square Garden in New York, taking a historic pledge against hatred, violence and mistrust.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also attended the global interfaith gathering and announced the organisation’s full support for the international peace initiative.
Declaration: Violence and Division in the Name of Religion Are Completely Unacceptable
In a joint declaration issued after the conference, religious leaders made it clear that faith should be used to bring people together and heal wounds, rather than to justify hatred or violence.
Unity Without Losing One’s Identity: The declaration stated that unity does not mean uniformity. People can remain deeply committed to their own faith while fully respecting the beliefs of others.
Accountability of Religious Communities: Religious leaders pledged to review the teachings followed by their respective communities and work to connect young people across religious boundaries. The aim is to establish dialogue and mutual understanding before conflicts arise.
Artificial Intelligence and Technology: Participants expressed concern over the spread of hatred through artificial intelligence and digital platforms. They called for technology to be used in ways that protect human dignity, truth and the well-being of society.
Rakhi Symbolises Brotherhood: During the event, participants tied rakhis, or sacred threads, on one another’s wrists to convey a message of mutual care, protection and shared global responsibility.
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat: “Diversity Is Nature’s Rule, Unity Is the Ultimate Truth”
Addressing the gathering, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said that the RSS fully supports the interfaith initiative. He said that different religions represent different paths leading towards the same ultimate truth and that diversity is an expression of our underlying unity. He emphasised that respecting and protecting this diversity is the responsibility of every individual.
Stand on the Muslim Community and the Concept of a Hindu Rashtra
Referring to a dialogue held in 2018, Bhagwat said, “If a Hindu thinks that there should be no Muslims in India, then he cannot be considered a true Hindu. A true Hindu believes that all paths lead to the same God and that every human being has dignity.”
He added that dialogue with Muslim and Christian communities in India has continued and that the process is moving forward consistently.
“Society, Not Politics, Will Find the Solution”
The RSS chief said that restoring peace and trust in the world cannot be achieved through politics alone, as politics often becomes a centre of self-interest. According to him, the real solution lies in selfless service within society, interfaith dialogue and stronger connections at the local level, including blocks, districts and states.
He said that when a strong social consensus is created, policies eventually move in the same direction.
