India is a Hindu state and all Indians are Hindus! RSS Chief

• Says Entire world recognises Indians as Hindus
• Cultural identity of all Indians is Hindutva
• Will be advised to read Constitution: Cong
• RSS should clarify whether it respects Constitution : CPI-M
• Bhagwat should learn and then comment: Mayawati

Cuttack: The ruling BJP's ideological mentor, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) , has suggested that India is a Hindu state and "citizens of Hindustan should be known as Hindus,” provoking a political storm.

At a function, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said, "The entire world recognises Indians as Hindus and therefore India is a Hindu state. This is a very simple thing, if inhabitants of England are English, those of Germany are Germans and that of USA are Americans, all those who live in Hindustan are known as Hindus."

He also said. "the cultural identity of all Indians is Hindutva and the present inhabitants of the country are descendants of this great culture."

The comments have been widely condemned, with several parties reminding that the Constitution used the name "Bharat" for India, not "Hindustan".

" Bhagwat will be well advised to read the Constitution. It is written that India is a country of combination of states. The word used by the framers of the Constitution was India or Bharat and not Hindustan. RSS does not understand the reality," said Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari.

CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury commented, "The Constitution says India that is Bharat. We might call it Hindustan but it is Bharat. RSS should clarify whether they respect the Constitution or not."

In a similar observation, UP politician Mayawati said, "When Ambedkarji wrote the Constitution he kept that in mind that our country comprises various religions and people follow them. So the name Bharat was given, the word Hindustan was not used. The RSS chief does not have proper knowledge of the Constitution. He should learn that and then comment."