Mohan Bhagwat: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Sunday that the LGBTQ+ community is part of Indian society and should not be isolated or looked down upon. Speaking at an event in Hyderabad, he said such communities have always existed, with some tendencies present from birth and others developing later in life. He added that these individuals are human beings with a right to live, and that society has a place for them.
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Citing Tradition And Mythology
Bhagwat invoked Indian tradition to make his case, pointing to Shikhandi, a figure from the Mahabharata who fought alongside major warriors despite being outside conventional gender norms. He said Indian society has historically had quiet, informal ways of accommodating such individuals rather than making an issue of it, adding that they continue to have their own deities, places of worship, and even Mahamandaleshwars who take part in the Kumbh Mela.
A Notable Shift In Tone
The remarks mark one of the more direct public acknowledgments of the LGBTQ+ community by a senior RSS figure, an organisation often seen as socially conservative. Bhagwat has touched on similar themes before, having previously spoken about ensuring the community does not feel isolated. This time, he framed the issue explicitly around dignity, natural variation, and continuity with Indian tradition rather than treating it as a fringe topic.
The Reaction
The comments have drawn mixed responses. Some have welcomed them as a step forward from an organisation not typically associated with LGBTQ+ advocacy, while others have pointed out that “quiet accommodation” falls short of full equality, including on questions like marriage rights. For many observers, Bhagwat’s remarks are being read as a signal of gradually shifting social discourse rather than a policy commitment.
