RSS chief invokes Tagore, appeals for 'Hindu rashtra'

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat today made an appeal for turning the country into a "Hindu nation" saying Hinduism believes in the principle of "unity in diversity" as visualised by the Nobel laureate polymath Rabindranath Tagore.

Delivering the valedictory address at the five-day conclave of RSS workers here in Madhya Pradesh, Bhagwat cited Tagore's book 'Swadeshi Samaj' to drive home the point of Hindu rashtra.

Tagore had criticised the British in the book while observing that Hindus and Muslims won't just finish each other by fighting among themselves but will rather find a way out and that path will be of "Hindu Rashtra", he said, adding that Hindutva advocates unity in diversity and harmony.

Bhagwat said a country cannot be called secure when its people feel insecure. "People in India still feel pained even after so many years of Independence," the RSS chief said.

"Many governments ruled Delhi and enormous (amount of) money has been spent in development," Bhagwat said.

He said it is unfair to say that no development has taken place in the country but at the same time the country has not developed as expected.

In his speech, Bhagwat showered praises on Israel for its "achievements" despite "hostile" conditions.

Israel, with mostly a desert land and a thin population, attained independence with us, but it has developed tremendously. When Israel came into being, it was attacked by eight nations. This tiny nation fought five wars, expanded its land area and has risen as a tall nation, he said.

"Anyone who dares that nation gets a befitting reply. People across the world learn from Israel the art of doing agricultural and vegetable farming," he said.

"On the contrary, India has 5,000 km land, population in crores, powerful leaders but Israel has marched way ahead of us," Bhagwat said.