At a time when two Christian dominated states in Northeast set to go for polls in February next, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday reiterated here that India is a Hindu state and anybody living in India is Hindu.

“Bharat (India) and Hindutva is synonymous. Without Hindutva we cannot think of India. There are different languages in India, there are different traditions and ways of life but at the core of all these, there is a philosophy that is Hindutva, which has kept us united. That is why India is a Hindu state,” Bhagawat said while addressing a mammoth rally, Luitporia Hindu Samabesh, at College of Veterinary Science playground at Khanapara here.

The two Christian dominated states in Northeast—Meghalaya and Nagaland—will go for Assembly polls on February 27.

More than 83% population in Meghalaya are Christians and over 90% people in Nagaland identify themselves as Christians.

While Meghalaya recorded only 11% Hindus, Nagaland has just 7% Hindu population.

It is not immediately clear whether the RSS ideologue’s ‘Hindu Rasthra’ jibe makes any difference in the Assembly polls of the two states, but Bhagawat’s remarks is very unlikely to be accepted positively by the people belonging to Christianity in the two poll-bound states.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the political wing of the RSS, is making every attempt to come to power in Nagaland and Meghalaya besides Tripura.

BJP has already in power in three NE states–Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur as well as in Assam.

“Hindus believe in truth, but the world respects strength. There is strength in our organisation. The Sangh’s strength is not to scare anyone or dominate anybody, it is for social causes,” he said.

Bhagawat said India has a uniqueness of diversity and it’s a great gift for the people of the country.

“Accept and respect all diversity. This is how humanity in this lifetime is accomplished. We have this uniqueness of diversity gifted to us by our motherland,” he said.

Speaking on Pakistan’s relation with India, the RSS chief said that India forgot its enmity with Pakistan, but Pakistan did not.