NEW DELHI: India’s diversity must be respected, celebrated and it should not be a reason for any discord in society, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat said, launching an unprecedented outreach to make the organisation better understood.

On the first day of the three-day conclave “Bhavishya Ka Bharat — An RSS Perspective”, he elaborated on evolution of the RSS, which he said cannot be compared to any other organisation.

Almost all major opposition parties gave the conclave a miss though the RSS had invited them. However, many leaders of the ruling BJP were present, as were many Bollywood actors, artists and academicians.

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“India is a country full of diversity and it must be respected and celebrated,” he said, adding that it should not become a reason for “discord” in the society.

The outreach comes at a time when the Congress-led opposition has been ramping up attacks on the RSS, accusing it of promoting divisive ideology and attacking minorities.

In his around 80-minute speech, Bhagwat spoke on a variety of issues, including the freedom movement, and acknowledged the role of the Congress, which has been among the organisation’s biggest critics.

“Congress played a big role in freedom movement and gave India many great personalities,” he said.