New Delhi: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has formally refuted statements attributed to Mr. Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), asserting that India is a “Hindu Rashtra.” The clarification comes in response to news reports dated November 9, 2025, which quoted Mr. Bhagwat making remarks that, according to CBCI, are misleading and potentially alarming to religious minorities, particularly Christians.
In a strongly worded statement, the CBCI categorically denied the assertion that Indian Christians are also Hindu. “Indian Christians are proud citizens of India and uphold the country’s cultural heritage, yet they are not Hindu,” the statement emphasized. The bishops’ body underscored that the Supreme Court of India, in its judgment dated March 11, 2016 (Writ Petition Civil No. 203/2015), rejected claims to use terms like “Hindustan” or “Hind” as synonymous with India, reaffirming the country’s secular constitutional identity.
The CBCI also expressed concern over attempts to portray India as a Hindu-majority nation in ways that challenge its constitutional framework. “India is and will always remain a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic,” the statement asserted. The bishops called upon all citizens, and especially Christians, to uphold the Constitution and safeguard the nation’s secular character through lawful and constitutional means.
Highlighting the historical record, the CBCI referred to the Justice Venugopal Commission’s report on the 1982 Kanyakumari communal violence, which examined the role of RSS in fostering communal tensions. According to the report, the organization adopted a militant stance, seeking to assert Hindu supremacy while marginalizing minorities. Methods cited included spreading propaganda to incite fear against Christians, infiltrating administrative bodies, training youth in weapon use, and exacerbating communal divisions through rumors.
Further, the CBCI cited the August 2024 issue of the RSS-affiliated magazine Panchjanya, which suggested that caste loyalty is tied to national loyalty, and statements from Mr. Bhagwat indicating that India should move in a specific ideological direction. The bishops expressed concern that such rhetoric aligns with caste-based hierarchies and undermines efforts toward social and economic equity.
The CBCI also highlighted current socio-economic inequities, including exploitative labor practices, unfair wage structures, and the misuse of contract labor, cautioning that such disparities cannot be ignored while ideological campaigns aim to reshape the nation’s direction.
“Christians in India have historically contributed to the freedom struggle and continue to play a significant role in nation-building,” the CBCI reaffirmed. The bishops’ body called on all Indians to remain vigilant and committed to the principles of equality, secularism, and constitutional governance.