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Hindu philosophy and culture are not always supremacist: Dattatreya Hosabale, general secretary, RSS
Hosabale said that it is possible for modernization and cultural values to exist simultaneously.
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Shinjini Ghosh - Fri, 24, Apr 2026
- 04:10 EDT
- 41
RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale / Lalit K Jha/ New India Abroad
Speaking at a conference on Thursday, Dattatreya Hosabale, general secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) emphasized that Hindu “philosophy and culture are not always supremacist.”
Hosabale was speaking at the “New India Conference” organized by the Hudson Institute.
‘“We see the oneness in everybody, be it a living or a non-living thing. When that is the basic philosophy of Hindus, the supremacist nature of Hindus cannot be there. In history, Hindus have never invaded any country or ensalved any people. Hindus have nothing to apologise for,” Hosabale said when asked about the perception of RSS being a “Hindu supremacist organization.”
Hosabale also stressed on the “cultural ethos and civilizational values” that RSS propagates and one which is not a “religious one.”
“Tensions have been there on and off because of political interests, wrong interpretation of history and other mechanisms. RSS believes that continuous and comprehensive dialogues with all these groups will definitely help in clearing the misgivings,” Hosabale said.
ALSO READ: ‘Ethics must guide scientific progress’: Dattatreya Hosabale in Silicon Valley
When asked about the future priorities for the RSS, Hosabale said that harmony, ecofriendly living at the personal level, inculcating family values, being self-reliant and being aware of one’s civic duties were some of the aspects that the organization intends to inculcate among its members.
Hosabale also said that it is possible for modernization and cultural values to “exist simultaneously.”
“Simultaneous existence of culture and modernity has been experienced in recent decades, particularly in oriental societies... I don't think the cultural values and modernisation pull in an opposition direction... Sanatan means eternity. It is ever-growing, but at the same time the ancient one,” Hosabale said.
When asked about policies of the ruling-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Hosabale said that the RSS does not “get into politics” and that the organization is in alignment with the central government in India.
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