Nagpur, Oct 17 : Taking strong exception to the use of the term 'saffron or Hindu terror', RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat today said terrorism and Hindus are "oxymoron" and can never be linked to each other.
"There is only one country left in the world on which you can't put the blame of terrorism and that country is India. Terrorism and Hindus, terrorism and saffron, and terrorism and the Sangh are oxymoron and can never be related to each other.
"This (effort to connect the two) was an attempt to weaken the strength of Hindus in India and, at the same time, to appease Muslims," he said.
A handful of incidents involving Hindus were reported and for that to blame the entire Hindu community was improper and unjust, he said addressing the annual Dussehra rally at Reshim Bagh ground here.
"Hindus are generally not involved in terrorism," he said.
Ridiculing the "inept" handling of terrorism in the country, Bhagwat said that has probably prompted the government to use the term "Hindu terror in the country".
"These are sinister conspiracies to mislead the Hindus through a campaign of lies and defame Hindu saints and noble citizens," Bhagwat said citing the example of "defaming" of Kanchi Shankarayacharya in a murder case.
On the Kashmir situation, Bhagwat said, "The crisis in Kashmir has become serious and complicated since we neglected Baltistan and Gilgit which have become part of Pakistan. Now China is attempting to position its Army in these regions."
The United States, he claimed, is looking for a safe passage from Afghanistan and secure foothold in Kashmir with the help of Pakistan.
Bhagwat said the Valley is not the entire Jammu and Kashmir, which has three regions. "Even in the Valley not all but a small minority is clamouring for autonomy and dreaming of independence by promoting secession," he said.
"At the same time, it is imperative on our part to appreciate the feelings, needs and aspirations of various other sections like patriotic Muslims, Gujjar-Bakarwals, Shias, Sikhs and Hindus including the Kashmiri Pandits and Buddhists. The displaced Pandits must return to their homes and dignity," he said.
When asked about ways to tackle threats to India, Bhagwat said, "We need to do lot more in our military, political and economic strategies. Alertness on the part of our leadership and preparation of public mind are needed to deal with the threats to the country."
On the Maoist issue, the RSS chief said that the government is stuck up with internal squabbles over question of firmly dealing wSith the Naxalites. PTI
