“The core mission of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is national development and societal upliftment, not the pursuit of political power or dominance,” reaffirmed RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat. He was addressing a gathering of over 1,300 young achievers, intellectuals, youth and startup entrepreneurs during his four-day visit to Tamil Nadu. The interaction, held on December 9, saw the audience listening in pin-drop silence for nearly two hours.
As part of the series ‘100 years Saga of RSS – Envisioning the Way Forward’, Dr Bhagwat emphasised that “building and improving one’s nation is the responsibility of every citizen, and by doing so, individuals ultimately safeguard their own interests too.” He reiterated that the RSS is not driven by a desire for dominance, saying, “Our aim is not power; but the vision of a united, disciplined, and value-based society committed to the nation’s long-term progress.”
He highlighted the richness of Bharat’s diversity, noting, “We celebrate diversity. But the bigger identity as a nation and as a society is that we are one. An overwhelming diversity is the first obvious speciality of our country. Despite all these diversities, we have been living as one ‘Rashtra’ for a long time. The very identity of our ‘Rashtra’ encompasses all diversities.”
RSS does not seek to become a powerful organisation but seeks to organise the entire society, including those who differ in opinion
Reflecting on the organisation’s origins, he spoke at length about the vision of Dr K B Hedgewar, the founder of the RSS. He recalled how Dr Hedgewar, who lost his parents at the tender age of 13 on the same day, pursued his education, completed medicine, and later dedicated himself entirely to the nation. Through interactions with prominent figures like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Gandhi Ji, and Bhagat Singh, Dr Hedgewar realised that societal vulnerabilities made Bharat susceptible to invasions, despite the attackers often being less advanced.
Dr Bhagwat described how Hedgewar pledged lifelong service to the nation, choosing Brahmacharya to ensure complete dedication. “Doctor ji felt liberty and equality can only happen if there is cohesiveness. If there is no cohesiveness, the Constitution cannot protect us,” he said. Hedgewar believed that societal transformation requires an environment where individuals and systems reinforce honesty, selflessness and Deshbhakti (Patriotism).
Quoting Dr B R Ambedkar, he recalled his warning that divisions, not external strength, allowed others to conquer Bharat. Ambedkar emphasised that liberty and equality cannot exist without fraternity. Dr Bhagwat said Hedgewar dedicated eight years to building the Sangh to address these societal challenges.
Addressing narratives in Tamil Nadu that likened Sanatan Dharma to diseases such as dengue and malaria, Dr Bhagwat asserted, “We are Sanatan Rashtra. Our identity of Rashtra is that it encompasses all diversity, accepts all. We celebrate our diversity as the base of our Nation and that nation is Hindu nation. The word Hindu also means Bharatiya, Hindavi, Indic. The difference we see is temporary and unity is permanent and absolute.”
He clarified that the RSS does not seek to become a powerful organisation but seeks to organise the entire society, including those who differ in opinion. “God helps those who help themselves. We cannot depend on Government alone to help. So the individual Swayamsevak is tasked to enable the society to help itself.”
Key highlights
- Dr Hedgewar vowed in his young age that he will dedicate his life to the country. He refused marriage, vowed to remain Brahmachari to work for the cause of Bharat.
- He felt Liberty and Equality can only happen if there is cohesiveness. In its absence, the constitution cannot protect us.
- Dr Hedgewar felt that societal transformation will only happen when the system does not corrupt individual and vice versa. If the general conduct of the society is of selflessness and patriotism, then systems and individuals cannot be corrupted.
- We are Sanatan Rashtra. Our identity of Rashtra is that it encompasses all diversity, accepts all. We celebrate our diversity as the base of our Nation and that nation is Hindu nation. The word Hindu also means Bharatiya, Hindavi, Indic. The difference we see is temporary and unity is permanent and absolute.
- RSS does not want to be powerful organisation in the society. RSS wants to organise the entire society, including those who differ from our views.
- Hindustan is Hindu Rashtra. Hindus are responsible for the nation and organise themselves to serve the motherland.
- Rashtriyata is not nation state, it is our Sanskriti. On the basis of this truth, our Dharma stands and this Dharma gives us this Sanskriti which is transferred from generation to generation. To uphold that Sanskriti, many have strived, given their blood and lives.
- The Rashtra will flourish when everyone is prepared to work for it. RSS wants to create that environment.
- We don’t want history to mention that RSS brought about his change, but we want society to lead and take credit for the change.
- RSS work is to prepare the society to take country to the apex of glory and teach the world what needs to be taught.
- There is already a strong nationalist feeling in Tamil Nadu. It is not expressed due to many factors. We have to create the environment where the expression happens freely. Tamil Nadu is no less when compared with rest of Bharat in its national outlook.
- Youngsters should enter politics which is one way of transforming the society. In the process, one should focus on self-growth and at the same time, should not allow it to degrade one’s life.
- Children do not hear what parents say but they see what parents do. Parents should set an example.
- Learn the art of taking along everyone with you and go along with everybody through teamwork. It is a time-consuming work. Sangh only does man-making work. Sangh will do nothing and Swayamsevaks will do everything.
- We have a special outreach for a local, social, apolitical leadership. They work together separately and be aware that there are people who can work with us. So the networking and organising society is the goal for next few years. If we do this, our challenges will disappear and Bharat will become Vishwaguru
- Being neutral means watching injustice sometimes. Is it neutrality? There are bound to be opinions, so stick to your opinions, hold others opinions sacred and have dialogue. If I say, I am Hindu it does not mean I am anti-Muslim.
- If you want to expand Sangh work, come to Shakha, give time and get involved in activities. There are individuals who have not gone to Shakha but say they are Swayamsevaks. Even if you don’t come to Shakha, but if you do something selflessly, you are still a Swayamsevak, because working for Bharat is working for Sangh.
He described Rashtriyata not as a mere nation-state but as a civilisational ethos—sanskriti—that has endured across generations and has been upheld by countless individuals who sacrificed their lives. “Dharma is not worship, it is that which unites and uplifts,” he said. “The Rashtra will flourish when everyone is prepared to work for it.”
Dr Bhagwat stressed that the RSS does not seek credit for societal changes. “We don’t want history to mention that RSS brought about this change, but we want society to lead and take credit,” he said. The goal is to create a society capable of taking Bharat to the peak of glory and sharing its civilisational wisdom with the world.
Calling upon the younger generation, he urged them to take an active interest in politics as a tool for societal transformation, warning that personal growth should not overshadow integrity. He emphasised the impact of leading by example, “Children do not hear what parents say but they see what parents do.”
Dr Mohan Bhagwat reflected on the organisation’s century-long journey, noting that 100 years was not an easy journey, our thoughts were not accepted. There was no financial support, no media to propagate our ideas. British was always anti-Sangh. People felt Hindu society is a dying society. He recalled how the organisation faced opposition which no organisation had faced. He said that Swayamsevaks were assaulted, murdered, despite all this, due to the relentless dedication of Swayamsevaks, we have reached a stage where society has developed faith in the RSS. However, he cautioned that this alone is insufficient, stressing that to raise a nation to deliver its duty is not a simple task and that we have to prepare the nation by uniting the society. He emphasised that the RSS is now preparing the society to deliver this message.
Dr Bhagwat explained that the Sangh’s next steps are being actively shaped, saying that our Swayamsevaks are thinking how to do this. One approach, he said, is to expand more and learn the art of taking the society along, with the aim of extending RSS presence in every area which has a population of 10,000. The intention, he said, is to make our outreach larger, go to every strata of society and make our presence meaningful and build a strong network with society.
He highlighted that the Sangh has a special outreach for a local, social, apolitical leadership, whose members work together separately and be aware that there are people who can work with us. According to him, the networking and organising society is the goal for next few years, and he asserted that if we do this, our challenges will disappear and Bharat will become Vishwaguru.
He detailed the RSS’ five-fold societal transformation initiatives (Panch Parivartan): Social harmony, protecting the environment, swa-hood (self-identity), family enlightenment and responsible civic living. These, he said, are key to building national character.
Sarsanghchalak underscored the importance of water conservation and ending the use of plastic in daily life, stressing that such habits must begin at the individual and family level before policy-level changes follow.
He said that the society thrives not on isolated individuals but on families, villages and communities bound by written laws and unwritten traditions. He explained that the RSS aspires to build a society composed of individuals with strong national character, saying, “The RSS is not here to contest or oppose anyone. We have to dispel misunderstandings created by narratives. RSS focuses on man-making and social organisation, believing that strengthening society — morally, culturally and socially — is the foundation for a strong nation.”
Dr Bhagwat called for unity, saying Shakhas cultivate intellectual, mental and physical development — the core attributes needed for nation building. He noted that Tamil Nadu has strong national roots, which must be encouraged to express themselves more freely.
He stressed the cultural importance of language, noting that at least at home, people should speak in their mother tongue. He underscored it stating, “Every Bharatiya language is our national language. We should know the language of the place where we live, so that we can mingle with others. We should also sign in our mother tongue,” framing it as a necessary step in nurturing identity and social cohesion.
Dr Bhagwat also spoke of the growing demand for freeing temples from government control, noting that while both government-run and trust-run temples vary in performance, a proper apparatus must be developed before transferring management to devotees. He observed that the people are generally of the opinion that temples should be handled by devotees and be the centre of many societal activities and the funds to be used in the seva of bhaktas. He pointed out that the judiciary has also expressed agreement with this view. However, he raised a critical concern: who will take charge of the temple? He explained that some temples taken over by Government or by Trust are run well and the opposite is also true, highlighting the inconsistency in management. According to him, there has to be an apparatus that should be made ready for the temple question to be solved, indicating the need for a structured and capable system before reforms are executed.
Addressing social conduct, he remarked that being neutral means watching injustice sometimes, and questioned whether this behaviour can truly be called neutrality. He noted that there are bound to be opinions, and encouraged people to stick to theirs, hold others’ opinions sacred and have dialogue. He clarified that identity assertions need not create conflict, emphasising that if I say, I am Hindu it does not mean I am anti-Muslim.
On organisational participation, he spoke about the growth of the Sangh, saying that if you want to expand Sangh work, come to Shakha, give time and get involved in activities. He acknowledged that there are individuals who have not gone to Shakha but say they are Swayamsevaks, “Even if you don’t come to Shakha, but if you do something selflessly, you are still a Swayamsevak. Because working for Bharat is working for Sangh.” His remarks reinforced the idea that service to the nation, rooted in selflessness, remains the defining spirit of the organisation.
He concluded by calling for collective effort, “Together we have to organise this society as one with unity and quality. Because the future of world depends on Bharat becoming Vishwaguru and the task is on our shoulders.”
