RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat says LGBTQ+ community deserves equal respect in India

On July 26, 2026, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed a gathering in Hyderabad, stating that LGBTQ+ people are a part of Indian society and should be afforded the same respect and equal standing as anyone else. He emphasized that some individuals are born with these identities, while others may experience shifts in orientation, but in all cases they have a right to live without discrimination.

Bhagwat called for societal understanding rather than “unnecessary uproar,” urging families and the broader community to treat LGBTQ+ persons with dignity, compassion, and inclusion, in line with what he described as India's traditional culture of tolerance.