The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), founded in 1925 in Nagpur on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami by Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, is celebrating its centenary year. The core objective behind the formation of the Sangh was to awaken and organize Hindu society in order to foster national unity and restore cultural pride. Emphasising discipline and character-building through its daily shakhas, and dedicating itself to personal development and social organisation, the Sangh has today become the world’s largest and most influential socio-cultural organization.
The century-long journey of the RSS has been filled with struggle, service, dedication, organization, and value-driven work, whose deep influence is visible across Indian society. The Sangh has consistently strived to bring about positive transformation in areas such as social service, swadeshi (self-reliance), education, rural development, disaster relief, tribal welfare, and social harmony. Its ideology is based on inclusiveness and unity. The Sangh aims to cultivate morality, a sense of duty, and leadership in individuals, offering them a national vision. It believes that every person must know the direction in which they want to lead their nation and understand their role in it. With deep-rooted inspiration in Bharat-bodh (consciousness of India), the Sangh motivates its swayamsevaks toward selfless action and service — possible only through a life enriched with spirituality.
The foundational thought and philosophy of the RSS is to lead the nation towards param vaibhav — supreme glory. To achieve this, unity and harmony in society, and the re-establishment of Sanatan cultural values, are essential. The ultimate goal is to rebuild a strong, self-reliant, and united India that takes pride in its glorious Sanatan culture, rich ancient heritage, and noble human values. Discipline, selfless service, and the principle of “Rashtra Sarvpratham” form the core tenets of RSS ideology. The mantra “Sangh Shakti Kaliyuge” is central to its vision. To this end, the Sangh regards organization and service as the most effective means.
The contribution of RSS swayamsevaks to India’s social and national life has been immensely significant. They actively participated in the freedom struggle, resisting British imperialism. Swayamsevaks played crucial roles in the 1962 Indo-China war, the Indo-Pak wars of 1947, 1965, 1971, and 1999, as well as in the liberation movements of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Goa. During the dark era of the Emergency, thousands of swayamsevaks went to jail in defense of democracy. They also organized underground movements for a long time to restore it. The Sangh has played a decisive role in the full integration of Jammu and Kashmir by advocating for the abrogation of Article 370. It has consistently carried out rescue and relief operations during natural disasters and has contributed meaningfully to the preservation and propagation of Indian culture and traditions, while promoting education, values, and swadeshi living. Beyond this, swayamsevaks have also worked towards social reform, constructive transformation, and national security across various sectors. Time and again, they have shown steadfast commitment to the nation and society under the most challenging conditions. Ironically, despite its unparalleled work in nation-building, social service, and organization, the RSS has often faced bans and unrelenting opposition.
The Sangh’s idea of Hindu and Hindutva represents an inclusive confluence of cultural, social, political, and spritual dimensions. According to the RSS, Hindutva is not a sect or faith but a civilizational and cultural consciousness rooted in deep devotion to the motherland. Dr. Hedgewar defined a Hindu as one who accepts India as both their motherland and culture, and also as the Pitrubhoomi (land of ancestors — the land between the Indus and the Indian Ocean) and Punyabhoomi (sacred land). In this view, even those from other faiths can be considered Hindu if they embrace Sanatan culture and Indian values. This understanding can become a key to resolving mutual distrust and insecurity.
The RSS views Hindutva as an inclusive cultural nationalism that upholds India’s unity and integrity beyond all divisions. Hindu nationalism, rooted in the Hindu culture, does not seek to exclude or diminish any community or faith. Instead, it aims to unite all as Indians. In a recent three-day lecture series at Delhi’s Vigyan Bhavan, current Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat emphasized the inclusive essence of Hindutva — stating that the Sangh’s Hindutva means acceptance and inclusiveness, not exclusion or perpetual conflict. Harmony, goodwill, and coexistence are intrinsic to the Hindu way of life, which naturally embraces Muslims and followers of other faiths. RSS respects diversity and diffrences and working for their unity (Vividhataon ki ekta).
He also clarified the Sangh’s perspective on a range of modern debates — between nation-state and Rashtra, secularism and sarvadharma sambhav (equal respect for all religions), tradition and modernity, man and technology, Indian languages, and the national language Hindi, as well as the colonial dominance of English. The lecture series was a serious outreach effort to dispel misconceptions spread with vested interests through direct dialogue with civil society.
In its centenary year, the Sangh is placing special focus on bringing about five key social transformations — Pancha-Parivartan — aimed at fostering holistic, constructive, and positive change in Indian society. These five are: Social Harmony, Environmental Protection, Revitalizing Family systems, Swadeshi Lifestyle, and Citizen’s Responsibility.
Through these, the Sangh aims to strengthen India’s unity, integrity, and prosperity.
Social harmony lies at the heart of the Sangh’s inclusive vision of nation and society. It envisions a harmonious social order free from caste discrimination, built on the foundation of equality.
Under Swadeshi, the emphasis is on aligning one’s consciousness with Indian wisdom. We must avoid falling into the trap of consumerism and instead strengthen the national economy by using domestically produced goods. We should refrain from importing goods that we can produce ourselves. Limited consumption is the best response to the challenge of consumerism. A sense of self and pride in self is the only true way to completely liberate ourselves from colonial slavery. In our language, attire, food, housing, travel, and music — Swadeshi should be prioritized. To break the chains of colonial domination, we must also free ourselves from linguistic subjugation. The National Education Policy 2020 rightly emphasizes the development of Indian languages. With learning and educational materials made available in Indian languages, students from remote and marginalized communities can realize their potential and contribute fully to nation-building.It will also tap the brain drain. English, a colonial legacy, has been a major obstacle to talent development. Only by awakening our linguistic self-awareness can we become a truly self-reliant and free-thinking nation, paving the way to a bright future. Environmental issues and disasters are affecting nations across the world, and India is no exception. In recent decades, landslides, cloudbursts, floods, and droughts have severely disrupted life. Each season breaks previous records in terms of heat, rain, or cold. Even the Himalayas — India’s proud protector — are now under threat. The cycle of seasons has been thrown off. These environmental crises are a result of ecological imbalance. We now need sustainable development models that are cooperative with nature and in sync with it — not exploitative. Only a relationship of companionship with nature — rather than conflict — can ensure human welfare.
The aim of Kutumb Prabodhan (family awareness) is to preserve our family and social life, which is under severe strain. The family is India’s greatest strength and achievement — a carrier of traditions and values, and the fountainhead of society security and satisfaction. But the Western storm of individualism and consumerism has shaken its very foundation. Families are breaking down, and emotional warmth is giving way to alienation and conflict. This growing trend is deeply concerning, and the Sangh is resolute in prioritizing its counteraction.
A vital question today is — what are our duties as citizens? Instead of becoming duty-conscious, we are increasingly becoming rights-conscious and self-centred. In our society, we tend to leave everything to the government. But real change is impossible without public participation. Actions such as paying taxes and bills on time, renewing licenses, voting, following traffic rules, conserving resources like electricity and water, and respecting national festivals, symbols, and institutions — these are daily acts of patriotism. Therefore, it is essential for citizens to become duty-conscious and contribute actively to nation-building.
The Pancha-Parivartan initiative of the RSS will instill discipline, patriotism, and civic participation in social life, laying the foundation for national reconstruction and upliftment.
Looking ahead, the Sangh plans to expand its reach through shakhas. Dr. Hedgewar’s vision was that ultimately “the Sangh will merge into society, and society itself will become Sanghamaya (imbued with the Sangh).” In this context, Kabir’s verse becomes relevant:
“jal mein kumbh, kumbh mein jal hai, bahir bhitar pani…”
The centenary resolution of the Sangh also includes: integrating Indian perspectives into education, fostering a self-reliant economy, decentralisation of resources and power, driving Rashtraodaya (national resurgence) through Gramodaya (village upliftment), and preventing brain drain by imparting values and employment to the youth.
Guided by the ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), and working in the spirit of Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah (may all be happy), the RSS shall continue to pave the way for world peace and welfare of humankind.
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