Toronto, Aug 2026 : Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has called upon people of Indian origin living across the world to be honest, responsible and contributing citizens of their adopted countries while sharing India’s civilisational message of unity, harmony and service.
Addressing more than 2,000 Hindus and members of the Indian community in the Greater Toronto Area, Bhagwat said the Indian diaspora had responsibilities both towards the countries where they have settled and towards humanity as a whole.
“Those who have any relation with Bharat, they may be today settled all over the world, citizens of different countries. Because they are from Bharat, they are to be honest, contributing citizens of that country,” Bhagwat said.
At the same time, he urged the diaspora to convey what he described as India’s broader worldview — that individuals, societies and the environment can progress together without harming one another.
Bhagwat was speaking at a gathering organised around the theme “Embracing the World in Friendship.” His address focused heavily on the idea of humanity being one family and on the role of Indians living overseas in demonstrating those values through their conduct and community service.
'Diversity is Natural, Unity is Reality'
Bhagwat said India's civilisational tradition recognises diversity while simultaneously emphasising an underlying unity among people.
“We have been trained to see the unity underlying the diversity,” he said, arguing that differences should not necessarily be viewed as obstacles to social cohesion.
“Diversity is natural. Unity is the reality,” he added.
The RSS chief also spoke about India's historical contribution to the world, claiming that the country's civilisational influence was built through the spread of knowledge rather than territorial conquest or forced conversion.
He cited areas such as mathematics, astrology and Ayurveda as examples of knowledge that India had shared with other societies.
“Wherever they went, they gave knowledge, they give mathematics, they give astrology, they give the Ayurveda. They imparted the civilizational values,” Bhagwat said.
He further argued that India's historical rise was not based on the pursuit of military superpower status.
“Whenever Bharat became big, it never became a superpower. It became a glorious country,” he said, adding that India became “Vishua Guru” through its character rather than as a “Mahashakhti.”
A 'Third Way' for a Troubled World
Bhagwat said the world today was confronting multiple challenges, including armed conflicts, environmental degradation and difficult questions surrounding the use of scientific and technological advances.
“There are so many conflicts. Ecology, environment, it is in danger. World is in a dilemma. Nations are there, but then nations quarrel,” he said.
He argued that a different approach was needed to ensure that individuals, societies and nature could develop without coming into conflict with one another.
“There has to be a third way, and this new third way is ancient very old way of Hindustan,” he said.
Bhagwat also presented Hindu identity as something that extends beyond a particular language, religious practice or lifestyle.
“When I say Hindu, the word Hindu cannot be defined by any specific language, through any specific worship, or through any living style,” he said, adding, “Hindus respect all, Hindus accept all.”
Call for Service and Leadership by Example
The RSS chief urged Hindus living in different parts of the world to build communities that could serve as examples of responsible and constructive living.
“We are the leaders who lead from within and lead by example,” he said, calling on the diaspora to create communities that could become “an exemplary society for the world.”
He stressed that material success alone should not be regarded as the ultimate measure of a meaningful life.
“Mere successful life is not sufficient,” Bhagwat said, emphasising the importance of compassion and “Love for humanity” in guiding individual and collective behaviour.
He further called for a sense of shared responsibility, saying that people should recognise their common interests and consider the welfare of others.
“We are all one. Our interest cannot collide. Because we are one, we have to act as we are one. We have to think of others,” he said.
Bhagwat encouraged those attending the gathering to focus on gradual personal improvement and greater commitment to social service.
“Do some small improvements so that you become a more enlightened human being, you become a more serving being,” he said.
The address formed part of Bhagwat's engagements during his North American visit, which has included interactions with members of the Indian diaspora and community programmes, including a public event in New York.
The RSS was founded in Nagpur in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and completed 100 years in 2025. The organisation identifies character-building, social organisation and service as key elements of its activities. Bhagwat has served as the organisation's Sarsanghchalak since 2009.
