RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat declared that Hindu society is essential for the world’s survival, even as Christians and Muslims make up nearly half of Manipur population.
BY PC Bureau
November 22, 2025: In a state where Christians and Muslims together constitute nearly half the population, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday declared that Hindu society alone is central to sustaining the world. Visiting Manipur for the first time since ethnic violence tore through the state last year, Bhagwat asserted that “without Hindus, the world will cease to exist,” describing Hindu civilisation as immortal and uniquely resilient. He contrasted India’s endurance with the decline of ancient empires such as Greece, Egypt and Rome, saying, “There is something in our civilisation that we are still here.”
Framing Hindu society as the global custodian of dharma, Bhagwat said, “Bharat is the name of an immortal civilisation… We have created a network in our society because of which the Hindu community will always be there.” He has previously argued that no one in India is a “non-Hindu,” claiming that Muslims and Christians share the same ancestral roots. His latest remarks came during an event in Imphal, where he reiterated the idea of civilisational continuity, referring to what he described as a “shared consciousness” or “unified DNA” running back tens of thousands of years—a line that featured prominently in broadcast coverage of the speech.
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The backdrop to his comments is Manipur’s sharply divided demographic landscape. According to the 2011 Census, Meiteis constitute 41.39% of the state’s population, Christians 41.29%, and Muslims 8.40%. The split is geographically stark: the hill districts are overwhelmingly Christian and tribal, while the valley districts are dominated by Meiteis. With a population of 2.86 million (2011), a literacy rate of 76.94%, and a predominantly rural profile, Manipur’s social fabric remains delicate as it struggles to recover from the ethnic clashes that began in May 2023.
Most Meiteis in Manipur identify as Vaishnavite Hindus, a tradition that took deep root in the Imphal Valley from the 18th century onward. Hindu rituals, festivals and temple practices form a central part of cultural life for a large section of the community. However, Meitei society is not monolithic: alongside Hinduism, many Meiteis continue to practice Sanamahism, the indigenous pre-Hindu religion centred on household and ancestral deities. This traditional faith has seen a visible revival in recent decades, with a growing number of adherents asserting it as a distinct identity.
मणिपुर में RSS प्रमुख मोहन भागवत ने कहा – ”भारत इसलिए टिका है क्योंकि हिंदू समाज ने मजबूत सामाजिक ढांचा बनाया है. उन्होंने कहा कि ‘हिंदू नहीं रहेगा तो दुनिया नहीं रहेगी’, ”क्योंकि धर्म का सही मार्गदर्शन हिंदू समाज ही देता है.”#RSS #MohanBhagwat #Hindus | #ZeeNews pic.twitter.com/iDBZnAXlTs
— Zee News (@ZeeNews) November 22, 2025
Bhagwat also used the platform to push for complete economic self-reliance, arguing that national strength depends equally on economic vitality, military capability and knowledge. “Strength means economic ability… our economy must be completely self-reliant. We should not be dependent on anyone,” he said, even as India faces renewed pressure on trade ties following steep U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump. Drawing parallels with India’s freedom struggle and the decline of Naxalism, he said societal resolve had repeatedly overcome entrenched challenges: “Sometimes the voice became weak, sometimes it grew stronger, but it was never allowed to die.”
Addressing Manipur’s immediate crisis, Bhagwat called for unity, patience and long-term reconciliation, saying reconstruction would take time and that society must work collectively to restore normalcy. He emphasised that the RSS sees itself not as a political actor but as a social organisation dedicated to harmony and character building—a point he repeated in meetings with tribal leaders and local groups during his visit
