AGRA: “In 1925, when Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar founded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), there was a disbelief that Hindus could not be united. The condition of Hindus was likened to frogs jumping in opposite directions. It was said that Nagpur’s oranges would not sell in Pune and in other parts of the country. At that time, Dr Hedgewar adopted the principle of ‘one life, one mission,’ instilling pride in Bharat’s culture and working to build a society without any discrimination or division,” said Ramlal ji, Akhil Bharatiya Sampark Pramukh, RSS, at Organiser’s Commemorative Lecture Series ‘Resolve for Selfless Service’ on the occasion of 100 years of RSS at Sanskriti Bhawan, Lalit Kala Sansthan, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, on January 15.
Pointing out that in the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha 2025, resolutions were passed on three personalities, Ramlal Ji said the first was Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, who wrote Vande Mataram, which fills us with patriotism. The second resolution highlighted that even a common man can fight for the nation; those who lived in forests also contributed to Bharat’s freedom struggle, and the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda is being observed. The third was Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the “Hind ki Chadar,” who sacrificed his life for freedom of worship; his 350th martyrdom year is also being observed this year. RSS can be understood through the ideals represented by these great personalities, who lived for the nation and not for themselves. From the very beginning, RSS has been selfless in nature.
Chanting Vande Mataram Unmindful of Consequences
Ramlal Ji said to understand any organisation, it is essential to understand its founder. “Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar was a nationalist by birth. There is no other country in the world where patriotism has to be taught, but in Bharat it has to be instilled. Dr Hedgewar grew up during British rule and studied under conditions of extreme poverty. When the British imposed a ban on Vande Mataram, he resolved that whenever a school inspector visited his school, he would chant Vande Mataram, regardless of the consequences. Coincidentally, the first inspection took place in his class, and the inspector was welcomed with chants of Vande Mataram. As a result, the school was shut down, and it was declared that children must bow their heads and apologise to attend school. Dr Hedgewar refused to accept this. He had to leave the school and take admission elsewhere.”
In the new place, Dr Hedgewar observed the Union Jack flying at the teacher’s house and believed it should be removed. “He then began digging a tunnel, but when told it would take a long time, he stopped the work. When celebrations were organised at his school on the Queen’s birthday, he refused to participate and accept the sweets. Such was his mindset from childhood. He would skip college classes to attend Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s meetings. At that time, Kolkata and Lahore were major centres of revolutionaries. He took admission in medicine in Kolkata for this purpose and joined the Anushilan Samiti and dedicated himself to Bharat’s freedom.”
Formation of Sangh
Ramlal Ji further said that after long deliberations, the RSS was founded. Initially, there was no concept of games. There was no formal half-pants uniform in the Sangh; this came later due to the Maharashtra Police uniform. Since the Sangh began in traditional akharas, women were not part of it initially. However, in 1936, the Rashtriya Sevika Samiti was established. It has its own uniform and organisational structure, with more than 8,000 shakhas. It has a complete hierarchy of women officials; they participate in Sangh programmes, and Sangh Swayamsevaks attend their programmes as well.”
Citing RSS Sarsanghchalak’s words, Ramlal Ji said Dr Mohan Bhagwat often says that anyone who chants “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” is a Hindu. The world also recognises us as Hindus for this reason. Dr Hedgewar stated that the identity of Bharat’s society is Hindu, and Hindu and Bharat are synonymous. He brought Hindu society out of despair and instilled the belief that Hindus can unite. He built an organisation, awakened Hindu society, and provided solutions. From 1925 to 1940, he made RSS self-reliant and long-lasting. In the akharas, the Bhagwa Dhwaj, a symbol of Bharatiya culture, was accepted as the Guru.
Stating that every Swayamsevak is expected to be selfless, and the responsibility of running the organisation lies with them, Ramlal Ji said to support this, the tradition of Guru Dakshina was started, which is offered once a year. Once someone asked why Guru Dakshina is needed now when a Government aligned with Sangh ideology is in power. Our response was that the Sangh does not run on any Government. In 100 years, Sangh has neither broken nor bowed; it has continued uninterrupted. This is a journey of penance, sacrifice, and Sadhana.
“When Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya first went to Lakhimpur as a pracharak and after his death, a person came to know that such a great man used to buy chickpeas from him. Sangh pracharaks live on simple food, sleep on sheets outside temples, and dedicate their lives entirely to the nation,” he said.
“In Nagpur, there are homes where three brothers are pracharaks. Army personnel sacrifice their lives on the borders for us, and Sangh Swayamsevaks have made sacrifices for the ideology of Bharat, whether in Kashmir, Kerala, or the North-East. In Kannur district of Kerala alone, more than 100 swayamsevaks have sacrificed their lives for ideology,” he said.
“Dr Hedgewar used to say that if you are coming to the Sangh, you must come to serve society, not to take; there is nothing to gain personally. Some people say that Sangh has now become a national force, with people from every caste and community as its swayamsevaks. Wherever society exists, Sangh exists. There is no division, casteism, or discrimination in Sangh,” he said.
“Initially, Sangh Swayamsevaks were mocked for carrying sticks; later, opposition and bans followed. Those who criticise Sangh do so without knowing or understanding it. Shakhas are held openly in nearby grounds; anyone can go and understand the Sangh. Once, CID officers observing from a distance said that everything in the shakha was open, but at the end, people lined up and whispered something in their ears, they thought this was the secret of Sangh’s success. In reality, it was merely the counting of Swayamsevaks attending the shakha. When Sangh and society become one, positive change will be visible,” he said.
Beyond Comparison
Narrating an anecdote, he said, “Sangh cannot be compared to anything else; it is unparalleled. Problems arise when comparisons are made. Someone once compared Sangh’s method of prachar to missionaries. When told that Sangh pracharaks do not marry and have no bank accounts, he called it unparalleled and later joined Sangh. He had come from London to attend a Sangh programme.”
Noting that Sangh is a blend of NGO work, cultural institutions, spiritual and dharmic organisations, Ramlal Ji said Sangh has faced bans three times but emerged stronger each time. “Some say Sardar Patel imposed the ban on RSS, but it was also he who lifted it. He even wrote a letter stating that he was very happy when the ban was removed,” he added.
Sangh Binds All
“Dr Mohan Bhagwat says Sangh does not seek to grow itself; it wants Bharat to grow. When Bharat progresses, there will be peace in the world. Sangh works with this aim. People may oppose RSS, but Sangh belongs to no organisation and meets everyone across all sections and political lines. Its goal is to create good citizens for the nation,” he said.
He further said, “All RSS-inspired organisations are independent in their accounts and administration, but share the same ideology and coordinate with each other. Dr Bhagwat once said that when good work is done, credit is given to the government, and when something goes wrong, blame is placed on RSS. If one believes the government and RSS are the same, then credit should also go to RSS.”
“RSS Swayamsevaks are free to vote for anyone. Understanding RSS is not difficult, but those who do not want to understand cannot be helped. Sangh plans outreach to more than 80 crore people, organise over one lakh Hindu Sammelans, and inform society about Sangh’s work in the next one year,” he said.
“Hindu and Bharat both accept and respect everyone; such a nation moves forward and brings peace to the world. Bharat itself is unparalleled,” he further said.
“Governments make policies, and social organisations create awareness. Dr Hedgewar believed people should think about the nation; hence RSS is working on Panch Parivartan, which no political party, caste, or religion can oppose. Sangh is working towards positive transformation in society through Panch Parivartan: social harmony, environmental protection, Swa, civic duties, and family awakening across the country.”
Ramlal Ji also congratulated Organiser, stating that this lecture series is a significant step. Beginning on Makar Sankranti makes it even more auspicious.
Prof Pramod Sharma, Kshetra Karyavah of RSS Western UP and former Pro Vice-Chancellor of Kota University, Rajasthan, who chaired the lecture, said that the theme ‘Resolve for Selfless Service’ will fulfilled at multiple levels, first as an individual, second within the family, third in society, and fourth towards creation. Over 100 years, Sangh has made this its resolution. Some call it “Ready for Selfless Service.” Sangh plays the role of a catalyst, working to make the national journey dynamic.
He further said, “A leader once said, ‘I am an accidental Hindu,’ but that has changed today, and people now proudly say, ‘Garv Se Kaho Hum Hindu Hain.’ Transformation of the individual, family and society has been at the core of Sangh’s journey. Sangh built organisations, mobilised people with a service-oriented nature, led to action, and now works towards transformation within society.”
In his speech, Prafulla Ketkar, Editor of Organiser, said that RSS was founded in 1925 in Nagpur, at a time when uniting Hindus was a subject of ridicule. “It was said that four Hindus walk together only when the fifth is on a bier. In such times, when Dr Hedgewar founded RSS, ideologies were emerging: one of building a new nation, and another of Communism, which denied Bharat as a nation and called it a conglomeration of many nationalities. Dr Hedgewar asserted that Bharat is an ancient nation and emphasised on understanding why we became enslaved.”
He also said that Organiser, started in 1946, became the first media house to work on the idea of Bharat. For the last 79 years, Organiser has continued this work, and to commemorate 100 years of Sangh, this lecture series has been organised. The concept of Bharat has now been accepted by society. Through this lecture series, Organiser will present Sangh and its ideology as it is. The series will be held at six locations in Uttar Pradesh, more than ten in South India, and across the country. He thanked all participants and dignitaries.
The book Resolve for Selfless Service, edited by Prafulla Ketkar, was also released at the event. Brij Bihari Gupta, Director, Bharat Prakashan Delhi Limited felicitated Ramlal Ji, Prof Pramod Sharma and Prof Ashu Rani, Vice-Chancellor of Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra.
