Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) joint general secretary Krishna Gopal has said that a discussion should be held on why Muslims are “afraid” in India despite having over 16 crore population, while other minorities, which are far more less in numbers, feel safe in the country.

The RSS leader was speaking at a conference on Mughal Prince ‘Dara Shikoh - Icon of Composite Culture’ in New Delhi on Wednesday (11 September), reports Times of India.

He said that India always followed the principles of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (entire world is one family) and ‘sarve bhavantu sukhinah’ (all should be happy) and wanted even Pakistan to prosper.

Gopal said that Dara Shikoh, whom he described as the face of inclusiveness, was a true Muslim and had translated the Upanishads into Persian. He added that unity and inclusiveness always remained an integral part of Indian culture.

The RSS leader referred to an article by Islamic scholar Raamish Siddiqui, which suggested that Muslims should not be afraid as their population was over 16 crore in India, and said that it was a big question as to why such mindset exists.

“How many Parsis are there in India... hardly 50,000, Jains 45 lakh and about 80 lakh Buddhists are there. Jews are only 5,000. They are not afraid of anyone,” he said.

“Muslims are more than 16 crore, then why are they afraid? Why and from whom? It should be discussed," Gopal said.

The RSS leader suggested that the perception could be due to a “divisive mindset” propagated by Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.

Besides Gopal, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also addressed the conference. Describing Aurangzeb as a "symbol of terrorism", Naqvi said that his brother Dara Shikoh was the “identity of nationalism”.