RAIPUR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on February 8 said that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has made an unparalleled contribution to India’s journey before and after Independence, stating that its role in nation-building is visible across every sector of society.
Speaking at a conclave “Chhattisgarh@25 – Shifting The Lens”, which was organised by Organiser Weekly, Shah said that while the contribution of every citizen is vital, the RSS stands out as an institution for the scale and consistency of its service to the nation.
“Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has made a very big contribution to India’s journey both before and after Independence, and no historian can deny this,” Shah said. He added that there is hardly any sphere of national or social life where the presence of RSS volunteers is not felt.
RSS ने आजादी से पहले और उसके बाद, भारत निर्माण में सबसे अधिक योगदान दिया है, इसे कोई इतिहासकार नकार नहीं सकता। pic.twitter.com/mmEI5v5Ruf
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 8, 2026
Highlighting the Sangh’s widespread engagement, the Union minister said RSS swayamsevaks have played constructive roles in areas ranging from education and social service to disaster relief and national security. “There is no sector in the country or in social life where the Sangh’s swayamsevaks have not contributed,” he remarked.
Shah emphasised that when institutions are evaluated objectively, the RSS emerges as one of the most influential forces in post-Independence India. “When we assess institutions, I can say without hesitation that among all institutions, the contribution of the Sangh’s volunteers has been the most prominent in every field and every sphere of social life after Independence,” he said.
Rejecting criticism often levelled against the RSS, Shah asserted that doubts about the RSS stem from misunderstanding or misinformation. “There is no need for anyone to have any doubt about this,” he said, urging people to assess the organisation based on its work rather than preconceived narratives.
The event, held in Chhattisgarh as the state marks 25 years of its formation, focused on themes of security, prosperity, and stability. Shah’s remarks come at a time when the RSS has increasingly sought to highlight its role in social cohesion and grassroots nation-building, amid ongoing debates over its historical and contemporary influence in Indian society.
The conclave brought together intellectuals, policymakers, and social leaders to reflect on Chhattisgarh’s development journey and broader national challenges.
