Dr. Mohan Bhagwat's Dialogue With Islamic Scholars: A Step Toward Inclusive Reform Among Muslims

In a significant move toward fostering interfaith dialogue and communal harmony in India, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Dr. Mohan Bhagwat recently met with prominent Muslim clerics and scholars in Delhi on July 24, 2025.

- GOPAL GOSWAMI

The meeting, held at Haryana Bhawan, brought together senior RSS functionaries and influential Muslim leaders. This engagement has sparked widespread discussion about its implications, not only for Hindu-Muslim relations in India but also has the potential scope for Indian Muslim scholars in leading global Islamic reforms.

As countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE push for progressive changes within Islam, Indian ulemas are uniquely positioned to project a more inclusive, tolerant, and cooperative vision of the faith as they have a strong cultural presence all over the world. However, this vision must address contentious issues such as the intolerance in Islamic teachings, the role of madrassas, and the need for mainstream educational integration to combat radicalism and promote peace.

Bhagwat's outreach to Muslim scholars is a continuation of the RSS's efforts to bridge the communal divide in India, a country with a diverse population where Muslims constitute 14.2% (approximately 172.2 million people) of the population, making India home to the third-largest Muslim community globally. The meeting aimed to promote dialogue between Hindus and Muslims, emphasizing the need for reconciliation and mutual understanding for India's progress.

The Chief Imam of the All-India Imam Organisation, Dr. Umer Ahmad Ilyasi, described the dialogue as positive, noting that it focused on ending hatred and fostering unity. This initiative follows previous engagements, such as Bhagwat's 2022 meetings with Muslim intellectuals, which received endorsements from key Islamic bodies like Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and Jamaat-e-Islami Hind.