To understand the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), one must gain that experience by becoming part of the Sangh, said RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat. He stated that while organisations generally celebrate the completion of one hundred years, Swayamsevaks have not thought in those terms. Instead, with the resolve to further expand the Sangh’s work of nation-building through individual development, several programmes have been planned.
As part of the Sangh’s centenary, Dr Mohan Bhagwat addressed intellectuals from various fields at a programme titled “100 Years of Sangh Journey – New Horizons”, organised in Bhagyanagar on February 1, in which around 1,300 people participated. Earlier, he met senior bureaucrats and film personalities in Bhagyanagar and explained various aspects such as the RSS’s hundred-year journey, objectives, and vision.
Stating that Sangh work has expanded greatly over the last ten to twenty years, Dr Mohan Bhagwat cautioned that understanding the Sangh is not easy and that there is no other work in society comparable to that of the Sangh. He warned that if one understands it superficially, it could even be misunderstood. Therefore, he said, only by becoming part of the Sangh can one truly understand and experience its work. “The Sangh’s primary principle is individual development with the objective of excellent nation-building. This is the most important task and the Sangh focuses entirely on this. The individual who is shaped must also live accordingly. This work takes a long time and is a focused process. Hence, concentrating solely on individual development, the Sangh functions. Apart from this work, there is no need for the Sangh to undertake any other work,” he clarified.
He explained the Sangh’s working style, stating that RSS Swayamsevaks run more than 1,30,000 small and large service centres across the country. While support is also taken from society, Swayamsevaks themselves bear what is required for the remaining work and complete it.
“The Sangh Swayamsevaks run service activities, but it is not a service organisation. Sangh Swayamsevaks conduct path sanchalan in a disciplined manner, very similar to the military, but the Sangh is not a paramilitary organisation. In daily shakhas, lathi training is given, but it is not a physical akhada. Likewise, there are collective songs, individual songs, and even bands, but the Sangh is not a music organisation. If one understands the Sangh merely by such outward aspects, it will be misunderstood,” Dr Mohan Bhagwat said while explaining Sangh activities.
He stated that Swayamsevaks are engaged in many fields, from arts to politics, and are present across all domains. Some Swayamsevaks independently run those fields, while others have joined existing fields long ago and today are at the forefront. The RSS Sarsanghchalak clarified that they are neither directly nor indirectly controlled by the Sangh and function with complete autonomy. Although Swayamsevaks carry out all these activities based on Sangh ideology and the values imparted by the Sangh, he said that merely observing these activities does not help one understand the Sangh. He added that Sangh work functions on the basis of friendship and affection, and that Swayamsevaks work voluntarily and with discernment.
Dr Mohan Bhagwat explained the RSS perspective by stating that many people think national development is the responsibility of a few organisations or individuals working for the people. The Sangh’s work, he said, is to change this mindset and inspire society to uplift itself. Political parties, governments, leaders, and great personalities play only a supportive role, he asserted, emphasising that society itself is the master. He warned that unless unity and qualitative improvement come into society, the nation’s future will not change, and if it does not change, the country would be in danger. In this context, he elaborated on Panch Parivartan, envisioned by the Sangh for the comprehensive progress of the nation from the individual to the system. He explained its five components: 1. Family awakening (bhajan, bhojan, bhasha, bhusha, bhavan, bhraman) 2. Environmental protection 3. Social harmony 4. Swadeshi 5. Civic duties
Dr Mohan Bhagwat stated that today Hindu society comprises various sections: those who proudly say they are Hindus; those who accept being Hindu only privately; those who live as Hindus but do not express it publicly; and those who have forgotten their very Hindu roots. While all belong to the same culture, he said it is society’s responsibility today to awaken a shared consciousness among everyone.
As part of the programme explaining Sangh work, Dr Mohan Bhagwat answered questions from the audience. He responded to queries on RSS, RSS-inspired organisations, the role of women in the Sangh, Hindutva, religion, dharma, culture, internal issues, the caste system, social harmony, the role of youth, swadeshi, education, family, national security, demographic changes, international issues related to India, nation-building, and society.
Replying to a question on how to become a participant in Sangh work, Dr Mohan Bhagwat said this could be done directly through nearby shakhas or Sangh-inspired organisations. He added that those who do Sangh-like work independently are equally respectable, and in this context referred to Vinoba Bhave, the pioneer of the Bhoodan movement, who described himself as inspired by the Sangh.
Responding to a question on India’s international relations, Dr Mohan Bhagwat said that every country conducts its international affairs according to its national interests, and India too should adopt an uncompromising approach in this regard. He said that to deal with international developments, any country must be economically and socially strong. Despite global turmoil, he observed, the impact on India remains minimal due to the country’s strong family system imbued with social responsibility.
Replying to a question on illegal infiltration of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas into India, which poses an internal security challenge, he said that identifying, detaining, and deporting illegal entrants is the government’s responsibility. However, he called upon citizens also to act responsibly and bring such matters to the attention of authorities and security agencies.
Stating that social transformation is necessary to take the nation to a higher position, Dr Mohan Bhagwat sought cooperation from all sections of society. He appealed to eminent personalities and intellectuals from various fields whom he met during the Hyderabad programmes to contribute to this effort. He expressed the hope that influential individuals and role models should lead by personal example and thereby bring change in society, expressing confidence that society would transform by observing such examples.
