RSS leader appeals for 'riot-free' India on Raksha Bandhan



Plea for peace: RSS leader Indresh Kumar said India has witnessed 23,000 riots since Independence

RSS leader Indresh Kumar on Sunday appealed to the Muslim community to ensure that the country becomes free of riots, as the people had seen enough sectarian violence since Independence.



"Humein danga mukt kaum, majhab aur mulk banana hai. (We need to make a riot-free community, religion and nation)," Kumar said at the RSS state headquarters on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, to which a large number of Muslims were invited.



On the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Muslim women tied rakhi to Kumar at the event.



Kumar, who is an executive council member of the RSS, is a patron of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch.



The Manch, a social arm of the RSS, works to foster better ties between the Muslims and the Hindus. It has a presence in more than 20 states.



"We want to get out of fear and terror. We have seen 23,000 riots in the country after Independence. Nobody is safe in the nation and the states," the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) leader said.

At the same time, Kumar also called upon the Muslims to be liberal towards people of other faiths.



"The process of worship may be different, but the ultimate aim is same. It is the message of Islam to follow your religion, but don't be a fanatic. Respect other's religion as well. … Religiosity also means respect for others," he said.



"Besides theological education, there is also a need for practical education. It will help in growth of the community. But there should also be an education to make people learn to love their nation," the RSS functionary added.



Later, Congress state spokesperson Dwijendra Tripathi was critical of Kumar's message to the minority community.

