Mohan Bhagwat Urges Society Not To Isolate LGBTQ+ Community

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said that members of the LGBTQ+ community should not be isolated from society, asserting that they are human beings who deserve dignity, respect, and the right to live with acceptance. Speaking at a public event, Bhagwat said that people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities have long existed in Indian society and that traditional social systems had recognised their presence without discrimination. He stressed that such individuals should have their own place within the broader social framework.

Addressing the issue, Bhagwat said that some aspects of a person's identity are innate while others may develop over time, but regardless of the cause, such individuals should not be looked down upon. He noted that similar communities have existed throughout history and said Indian society had traditionally dealt with the matter with sensitivity rather than exclusion. According to him, some conditions may be changeable while others are not, but every individual deserves the right to live with dignity and respect.

Citing examples from Indian traditions, Bhagwat referred to the character of Shikhandi from the Mahabharata, saying it reflected the historical recognition of gender diversity in Indian society. He also pointed to the presence of dedicated places of worship and religious leaders associated with the transgender community, including participation in events such as the Kumbh Mela. Bhagwat said these examples illustrated that Indian society had historically created space for such communities while encouraging a compassionate social outlook.

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The RSS chief also spoke about the broader evolution of Indian society, arguing that traditional values gradually weakened over time due to historical events, including foreign invasions and colonial influence. He claimed that these developments contributed to the erosion of indigenous social systems and fostered an inferiority complex toward Indian traditions. According to Bhagwat, this shift led many people to adopt external ideas while overlooking aspects of India's own cultural heritage.

Bhagwat further argued that certain social concepts adopted from the West were based on an incomplete understanding and had created challenges in those societies. He said India had also begun following some of those approaches despite the absence of clear solutions to the issues they sought to address. Reiterating his central message, Bhagwat said the LGBTQ+ community should not face social exclusion and called for a compassionate and respectful approach that recognises their place in society.

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