Mohan Bhagwat's Hindu Rashtra: Not Theocracy, But Dharma's Universal Embrace

• Mohan Bhagwat and previous Sarsanghchalaks consistently state Bharat is a Hindu Rashtra, a concept often misunderstood.
• 'Hindu' refers to a civilization with cultural values rooted in 'Dharma', not a religion; 'Dharma' means a way of life, universal laws, distinct from 'religion' (way of worship).
• The concept of Hindu Rashtra is based on the rule of 'Dharma', promoting universal well-being and spirituality, unlike Western nation-states focused on sovereignty.
• Misconceptions arise from equating 'Dharma' with 'religion', a colonial influence; thinkers like Sri Aurobindo clarified this distinction in later works.
• Hindu Rashtra embraces diversity, as evidenced by the Atharva Veda's Prithivi Sukta, which celebrates a land of varied peoples and customs as a source of strength.

Why It Matters: Hindu Rashtra, as per Mohan Bhagwat, signifies Bharat's commitment to Dharma, upholding diversity, not a theocratic state.