“In this country, there is a religion, and culture that respects all sects and faiths. That religion is Hinduism. This is a country of Hindus. That does not mean we reject all other (religions),” Bhagwat said. 

He added, “Once you say Hindu, there is no need to be told that Muslims too were protected. Only Hindus do this. Only India does this.”

“Everywhere else, strifes are underway. You must have heard of the war in Ukraine, the Hamas-Israel war. In our country, there were never wars on such issues. The invasion during Shivaji Maharaj’s time was of that kind. But we never fought battles on this issue with anybody. That is why we are Hindus,” the Rss Chief said. 

Israel pounded southern Gaza with air strikes early on Sunday and said it would intensify its attacks in the enclave’s north. Israel killed “terror operatives” from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, in an air strike on a mosque in the West Bank’s Jenin today.

The overnight strikes came hours after Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari called on Gazans to move south out of harm’s way.

Israel started its “total siege” of Gaza after the 7th October cross-border attack on southern Israel by militants of the Islamist movement Hamas, who killed 1,400 people, mainly civilians, in a shocking rampage that has traumatized Israel.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said on Saturday that Israel’s air and missile strikes in response had killed at least 4,385 Palestinians, including hundreds of children, and more than a million of the territory’s people have been displaced.

(With PTI inputs)

“Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!” Click here!

Updated: 22 Oct 2023, 10:26 AM IST