RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday said the chanting of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" cannot be forced down anyone's throat, and efforts should rather be made to contribute towards making India a great country and a world leader.
The remark by the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh chief comes at a time when the nation has been debating the issue following MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi's recent refusal to say "Bharat Mata ki Jai".
Bhagwat, who was in Lucknow to attend some events and inaugurate an office of the farmers cell Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, said: "We should strive to make an India where chanting of such slogans need not be imposed.
"India will have to show the way to the people of the world with our actions and deeds. We don't want to defeat anyone. We don't want to impose our ideology and thoughts on anyone. We wish to show them the path because we accept them as our own. "