Shiv Sena (UBT) praised RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for meeting over 70 Muslim clerics, calling it vital amid "neo-Hindutva" attempts to divide society. "The RSS chief’s initiative is praiseworthy as the DNA of Hindus and Muslims of Hindustan is the same," said the Thackeray camp. They added that BJP's "new contractors of Hindutva" may oppose RSS' outreach to Muslims.