New Delhi | November 11, 2025 
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has issued a strong statement condemning recent remarks made by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, calling them “misleading and deceptive.” Speaking at the “100 Years of Sangh Journey: New Horizons” event in Bengaluru on November 9, Bhagwat reportedly described India as a “Hindu Rashtra” and suggested that all Indians follow “Bharateeya culture,” claiming that “nobody is Ahindu.”

Bhagwat also stated that only Hindus are allowed in the RSS, adding that people of other faiths may join but must “keep their separateness out.”

CBCI Rejects the Claim That Christians Are Hindu

In a press statement dated November 10, the CBCI firmly rejected Bhagwat’s implication that Indian Christians are Hindu.

“Indian Christians are proud Indians and proudly ‘Bharateeya’ but not Hindu,”
the statement read.

The CBCI also referenced a 2016 Supreme Court judgment that dismissed the plea to rename India using terms like “Hindustan” or “Hind,” reinforcing that such terminology cannot be imposed on all citizens.

CBCI: India Is Not a Hindu Rashtra

Responding to Bhagwat’s assertion that declaring India a Hindu Rashtra does not contradict the Constitution, the CBCI warned against what it called “nefarious attempts to convert India into a Hindu Rashtra.”

The statement reaffirmed that India will remain a “Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic” and called on all citizens especially Christians to use constitutional means to safeguard the nation’s secular character.

Historical Context and Concerns Over Communal Violence

The CBCI drew attention to the findings of the Justice Venugopal Commission, which investigated the 1982 Kanyakumari communal violence. The commission’s report described the RSS as adopting a “militant and aggressive attitude” toward minorities and outlined methods allegedly used to provoke communal tensions, including propaganda, infiltration into administrative systems, and spreading communal rumours.

The CBCI also pointed to contradictions in the RSS narrative on caste. While Bhagwat recently claimed casteism no longer exists, an August 2024 issue of the RSS-affiliated Panchjanya asserted that “betraying one’s caste was betrayal of the nation.” When read alongside the caste rules of the Manusmriti, the CBCI said it reflects a concerning ideological direction.

Economic and Social Concerns Raised

The bishops expressed concern about rising economic inequality, citing exploitative labour practices and widening disparities in minimum wages. They linked these issues to broader ideological attempts to reshape the nation’s social structure.

Christians’ Contribution to Nation-Building

Ending on a firm note, the CBCI highlighted the long-standing contributions of Christians to India’s freedom struggle and national development, affirming that the community will remain committed to the country’s welfare.

This article was first published on November 11, 2025, at 5:32 PM.