Kochi: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday said that being a "staunch Hindu does not mean opposing others", and that the essence of Hinduism lies in embracing everyone.

Speaking at the 'Gyan Sabha', a national education conference organised by RSS-linked Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas here, Bhagwat sought to dispel what he called a "common misunderstanding" about strong religious identity.

He also advocated a strong balance between letter and spirit (of being a Hindu).

"There is often a misunderstanding that being a staunch Hindu means abusing others. Such a misconception can happen," he claimed.

"Being a true Hindu does not mean opposing anyone, nor does it mean that we need to respond by saying we are not Hindus. We are Hindus, but the essence of being Hindu is to embrace everyone," Bhagwat said.

"Anyone who wants to bring Hindus together needs to be mindful of this essence," he added.

He said there are two types of knowledge in this world-- vidya (true knowledge) and avidya (ignorance)-- and both play an important role in a person's material life and spiritual quest.

India, he added, upholds the significance of both.

Bhagwat said that India is a land of spirituality and that the country's sense of nationalism is deeply pure.

According to him, a true scholar is not someone who merely sits and contemplates in a room, but one who translates thought into action and demonstrates it through lived experience.

According to a statement issued by the organisers, Bhagwat said that the colonial education model promoted by Macaulay no longer suits today's India.

Instead, through an Indian system of education rooted in truth and compassion, it is possible to awaken Bharat's vast potential for the welfare of the world.

He further stated that every individual must act with a sense of personal duty for the holistic transformation of society.