Fatehpuri Masjid imam rejects RSS chief's controversial pro-Hindu nation remark

Maulana Mufti Mukarram Ahmed, the Shahi Imam of the Fatehpuri Masjid in Old Delhi on Monday rejected RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's controversial pro-Hindu nation remark, and reiterated that India is a secular country and its people wholeheartedly believe in that concept.

"This is correct that there are many groups in Hindus also, but we don't get into these things. We say that India is a secular country and a majority of its people believes in it. We cannot get everything under Hindutva. There is a beauty of its own which can be seen in the unity amongst diversity. All religious leaders from various faiths believe in remaining together," Mukarram told ANI.

"In the last 68 years, Hindu brothers have never had any danger due to Muslims. Those who see this country as a Hindu nation, their mindset is like this. But, the public does not believe in this. Their dream will never materialise. India is a secular country which will run accordingly, based on the Constitution. The Prime Minister has himself negated this thing of a Hindutva country," he added.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat attracted criticism when he said recently that "Hindustan is a Hindu nation...Hindutva is the identity of our nation and it (Hinduism) can incorporate others (religions) in itself."

Last week, Bhagwat had made a similar remark in Cuttack, Odisha, where he said, "The cultural identity of all Indians is Hindutva and the present inhabitants of the country are descendants of this great culture.