Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, that had all along been blaming conversions on Islam and Christianity, was now willing to accept that certain ills in Hindu society were also responsible for propelling people to go for conversions.
"I do not deny that conversions had also taken place on account of ills in Hindu society and that is why we are emphasising upon the need to reform ourselves", RSS national deputy chief Mohan Bhagwat said in Lucknow Sunday evening.
Addressing a press conference at the conclusion of the three-day conclave attended by 1400 delegates from different corners of the country, Bhagwat said, "our objective is to call upon masses to sink differences of caste, sect, religion as well as of political affiliations in the larger interest of building social harmony and goodwill."
He also held the view, "unless Hindu society rids itself of its ills, we cannot set a good example for those belonging to other faiths."
Significantly, Bhagwat also went to the extent of declaring that RSS was "not opposed to schemes actually
meant for upliftment of economically weak Muslims."
He said, "What we oppose in RSS was the policy of minority appeasement followed by the central government; and I wish to make it loud and clear that such a policy always obstruct Hindu-Muslim unity."
He said, "Therefore, what needs to be done was to ensure that the economic development schemes were genuinely directed towards only the poorer sections of society, irrespective of caste, creed or religion."
Through its economic resolution, the RSS meet also opposed the government's Special Economic Zone policy and also sought its review. The meet also strongly opposed the entry of foreign players in Indian retail trade.
"Unbridled globalization could lead to created a haven for terrorists , thereby posing a serious threat to national security", the resolution sought to point out.
"We propose to launch a campaign to mobilize public opinion for a pro-Swadeshi and self-reliant economic model that would in the long run protect the sovereignty of the nation", Bhagwat emphasised.