Former Kerala Director General of Police (DGP) Jacob Thomas IPS(Retd) has openly described his long association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), calling it a “national voluntary organisation” comparable in spirit and discipline to the Indian Police Service. In a detailed interview with the media, Thomas said his association with the RSS dates back to the late 1990s and that his participation stems from what he calls a “commitment to nation-building and holistic development.” “There is nothing to be surprised,” Thomas said when asked about his recent appearance at Vijayadashami utsav wearing the ganvesh. “This is not the first time that I attended an RSS function. I have been participating in RSS functions for many years, even while I was in service. Yes, I was never in RSS uniform on those occasions. Because it was the 100th year of the RSS, I thought I would wear the uniform. It was as simple as that.”
Thomas dismissed suggestions that his association with the Sangh was new or politically motivated. “The RSS does not have a formal membership. Anybody who associates and participates in RSS functions is basically part of the organisation and a swayamsevak,” he explained. According to him, the idea of being a swayamsevak goes beyond ideology. “The meaning of swayamsevak is that, on your own volition, you contribute to nation building. Individual development in the RSS parlance means not just physical development but intellectual, social, cultural, and emotional development. It is the holistic development of an individual. The RSS believes that when an individual develops in a holistic manner, rooted in culture and society, the nation also develops.”
"I, myself, studied at St. Mary's School, then at St. George's College, practised Christian religion & today presiding over #RSS100 anniversary. How can anybody say that RSS is Hindu religious orgañ? RSS welcomes everyone & that's why I'm in RSS"- Ex-DGP of Kerala, Jacob Thomas pic.twitter.com/GwYZuhWDI6
— BhikuMhatre (@MumbaichaDon) October 1, 2025
Thomas said this principle of self-development guided him through his years of service in the police. “As I was a swayamsevak, I was involved in the process of holistic development, and that differentiates me. In a society where deceit, hypocrisy, corruption and fraud thrive, I was not part of that. I was dead against the things that are against the nation and society. This was possible only because I was a swayamsevak.” The retired IPS officer said his introduction to the RSS came through Advocate K. G. Bopaiah, who was then the BJP district president of Coorg in Karnataka. “In 1997, Advocate Bopaiah introduced me to the RSS. He was an epitome of simplicity, humility, integrity and honesty. Naturally, I was attracted to his personality and realised these qualities were marks of a swayamsevak.”
Recalling the first time he directly encountered the RSS, Thomas said, “Once, while returning from Bangalore, we stopped for tea at a school run by the RSS. Till then, I was aware of the RSS but didn’t know much about it. It was the school manager who actually introduced me to the ideals of the RSS. For me, it was like going inside the organisation. The tea break got extended, and we had food there. We spent that night there and saw the students doing drill in the morning. I came to know about the disciplined way of education in the school. Advocate Bopaiah was a facilitator in helping me understand the RSS.” Thomas said he considers himself part of the Sangh family from that point onward. “When you participate in an RSS function, you automatically become a member. There is no application form for joining the RSS. When you attend a function of the RSS, you become a swayamsevak, and from then on, the nation is your first priority.”
He also rejected the widespread notion that the RSS is a Hindu-only organisation. “It is a misconception that the RSS is a Hindu organisation. When I went inside the RSS-run school, I did not find any difference between the school manager, Advocate Bopaiah, or others I met there. They did not see any difference in me either. The distinction comes from outside. The message I want to give is that I am a swayamsevak, part of this national voluntary organisation, and I did not find anybody thinking in terms of ‘you and me’ or ‘us and them’. I felt at home.” Thomas drew a parallel between the disciplined structure of the RSS and that of the police service. “When you are inducted into the police service, you are introduced to a uniform. The meaning of the uniform is a disciplined life. The Indian Police Service is a national service. The RSS also is a national voluntary organisation. I didn’t find any difference.”
Ex-Kerala police chief Jacob Thomas officially joined RSS today. pic.twitter.com/QNgBvMatEx
— AsiaWarZone (@AsiaWarZone) October 2, 2025
After retiring from the IPS in 2020, Thomas said he was invited by the BJP at the national level. “I accepted the invitation. BJP President Mr. J. P. Nadda inducted me into the BJP in Thrissur on April 4, 2021.” Reflecting on his years in public life, Thomas said he had the opportunity to observe two former prime ministers who came from the RSS, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi. “While in service, I have seen Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the prime minister of India. I have also seen Narendra Modi as the prime minister. These two were swayamsevaks and I could see the difference. They were not corrupt, and they were doing their best in nation building. I got attracted to these personalities who were also swayamsevaks.” Concluding the conversation, Thomas emphasised that his association with the RSS is based on shared values rather than political convenience. “Yes, I am more of a swayamsevak. I have been a swayamsevak for many years,” he said, reiterating his belief that the RSS and the Indian Police Service both serve the nation through discipline, dedication, and a sense of duty.
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