Mohan Bhagwat, Muslim clerics agree on need to start dialogue between Hindus, Muslims

RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) chief Mohan Bhagwat met prominent Muslim clerics and scholars on Thursday, discussing a host of issues with them and agreeing on the need to start a dialogue between Hindus and Muslims, All India Imam Organisation chief Umer Ahmed Iliyasi said.

The meeting that lasted for about three-and-a-half hours was attended by 60 prominent imams, muftis and mohtamims (heads) of madrasas, Iliyasi told PTI, and was organised by the All India Imam Organisation at Delhi's Haryana Bhawan.

The RSS described the meeting as "positive" and said it was part of a "continuous process" of holding an extensive dialogue with all sections of the society with the objective of exploring how everyone can work together in the interest of the country.

"This is a continuous process of an extensive dialogue with all sections of the society. The main objective is how everyone can work together in the interest of the country. Today's discussion was also positive," Sunil Ambekar, head of the national publicity and media department of the RSS, told PTI.

Eat traditional food, shun English, reject caste: Bhagwat's vision for Hindus

Bhagwat, who attended the meeting on an invitation from the All India Imam Organisation, was accompanied by senior RSS leaders including Krishan Gopal and Indresh Kumar.

"A freewheeling discussion took place at the meeting on national issues. It was decided that there should be a dialogue between mandirs and masjids, imams and pujaris, gurukuls and madrasas," Iliyasi told PTI after the meeting.

Asked about the RSS chief's view on the decision, he said Bhagwat appreciated it. There was a consensus that the All India Imam Organisation and the RSS would take this forward together, he added.

"Dialogue is the only medium to resolve every issue. Dialogue resolves misunderstandings, ends hatred, establishes mutual coordination, builds mutual trust," Iliyasi said.

He said a "good coordination" can be established through temples and mosques to take the dialogue to the ground.

"People believe in the things that come from temples and mosques because of their influence. When imams give their statements during the Friday prayers, they will discuss it. Mohtamims will discuss it in madrasas," Iliyasi added.