RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat (File photo)

NEW DELHI: At a time when "polarisation" and "Hindutva" are the buzzwords, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (JUH) chief Maulana Syed Arshad Madani held deliberations on the political situation in the country and on working together for communal harmony.

RSS sources confirmed the meeting at Keshav Kunj, Sangh's headquarters in the national capital, on Saturday. The meeting lasted almost one and a half hours. "We two (RSS and Jamiat) could even come on the same stage, a platform in the public, to spread this message of brotherhood but since I don't have a definite plan for it yet, I cannot say more. We will see how things pan out," Madani told TOI .

"We hold such discussions at regular intervals and RSS meets with leaders from different communities. The meeting was important from the perspective of Hindu-Muslim unity. Both the sides were satisfied with the deliberations and agreed on similar interactions in future too," an RSS source said.

Madani said he flagged Jamiat's opposition to RSS's ideas on certain issues citing the views of V D Savarkar and M S Golwalkar. Sources said Bhagwat spoke of how Hindutva was about brotherhood and about Hindus and Muslims co-existing in harmony. Madani said it was agreed that if this was the case, then this could lead to people coming together despite differences in ideological positions.

According to RSS sources, the invitation to Madani for talks was not new as it was extended to him months ago when he, as part of Bhagwat's three-day discourse at Vigyan Bhavan, was invited for public interaction. However, Madani decided to stay away over instances of cow vigilantism.

Bhagwat's representatives told Madani RSS did not approve of violence and it had let its stand known publicly on several occasions. They also said Bhagwat would like to clear Madani's misgivings. RSS sources said Madani did not respond immediately, possibly because of elections.

Madani visited the RSS HQs on the initiative of 'Rashtriya Janmanch', a forum which works to foster national unity. Former BJP general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal, who is back with RSS, has been asked to continue the dialogue and take forward the issues discussed at the meeting. Ram Lal was present when the two leaders interacted.

Madani described the meeting with the RSS chief as "good" where he raised three key concerns: mob lynching, atmosphere of anarchy and hatred, and the need to ensure unity and diversity. Although the issue of NRC came up, there was no discussion on Kashmir.

