RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat (File photo)

NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said instances of “love jihad” stem from Hindu families failing in their responsibility to impart “sanskaars” and “maryada” to their children.Bhagwat said that if a child raised with Hindu sanskaars goes astray due to “petty attractions” from someone outside, then the fault lies with the family.“Love Jihad, how can that be? A girl or boy reared in our Hindu sanskaars as our own, blood of our blood, is led astray by someone outside due to petty attractions. That is our lack. Giving ‘sanskaars’ and ‘maryada’ to our children is our responsibility. We have faltered in it, and the result is the success of Love Jihad,” the RSS chief said.He further said: “When we see these activities, we bracket the entire Muslim society into one category. That is not good. We are Hindus. We do not think like that.”Bhagwat also indirectly responded to Congress leaders questioning the organisation’s legal status, saying the Sangh is recognised as a “body of individuals”. Speaking at an internal question-and-answer session, Bhagwat said the issue of registration did not arise when the RSS was formed. “RSS was established in 1925, so do you expect us to have registered with the British government?” he asked. He said that after Independence, the Government of India did not make registration mandatory. “We are categorised as body of individuals, and we are a recognised organisation,” he explained.Bhagwat claimed that the Income Tax department and courts have described the RSS as a body of individuals, allowing it exemption from income tax. Referring to past government actions, he said, “We were banned thrice. So government has recognised us. If we were not there, whom did they ban?” Bhagwat also compared the Sangh’s status to religious traditions. “There are many things, which are not registered. Even Hindu Dharma is not registered,” he remarked. Responding to allegations that the RSS respects only the saffron flag and not the national flag, Bhagwat said saffron is revered as a Guru within the organisation, but the tricolour holds high regard. “We always respect, offer tribute and protect our tricolour,” he said. Bhagwat’s comments come after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge recently said the RSS should be banned. His son and Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge also demanded a ban on RSS activities in government spaces and questioned the organisation’s registration status and funding.