'One doesn't have to abandon its religion to become Hindu'

In the wake of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement - Muslims in India are also Hindus - row, organisation's ideologue M.G. Vaidya said on Tuesday that one did not have to leave his or her religion to become a Hindu.

"Muslims don't need to leave Quran to become a Hindu. They just have to consider Hinduism as their own religion," M.G. Vaidya told ANI here.

He added that a person not going to the temple was also a Hindu and one should remember the meaning of Hindu.

Addressing a public function in Tripura on Sunday, Bhagwat said, "The Muslims in India are also Hindus. We have no enmity with anyone. We want welfare of all."

 

The statement has created a furore especially among religious leaders. While some Hindu saints welcomed it, others opposed it and said such a statement should not have been made.