Bhubaneswar: The concept of Hindutva, grounded in Bharat’s eternal (Sanatan) values, has the potential to lead not only Bharat but the entire world toward well-being and harmony. This assertion was made by Suresh Soni, a senior pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and a member of the Kendriya Karyakarini, during a sangosthi for distinguished citizens, organised by the Bhubaneswar Mahanagar unit of the RSS on April 12.
Soni ji elaborated that one cannot discern the nature of a fruit solely by examining a seed. The seed must first be planted in the soil, where it germinates, grows into a plant, blossoms, and eventually produces fruit. Only with time does the fruit reveal its true nature.
Throughout the history of world civilisation, seeds of various ideologies have been sown at different times. Over time, these seeds have borne fruit, including ideologies such as Christianity, Islam, and Communism. According to him, the outcomes of these ideologies have brought bloodshed and suffering to human society.
He further stated that in Bharat, the seed of Sanatan thought has been sown for thousands of years. This philosophy has never harmed or destroyed anyone. Wherever it has spread, it has sought to address imperfections and bring about completeness. Examples of this can be seen in Southeast Asia.
He added that Bharat has had a glorious past. Due to this Sanatan philosophy, ancient Bharat was regarded as a “Vishwaguru” and was often referred to as the “Sone ki Chidiya .” However, due to hundreds of years of foreign invasions, certain distortions unfortunately crept in.
Referring to foreign Islamic invasions, he said that the first external attack took place in Sindh. In other regions of the world, entire countries were converted to Islam within a few years of such invasions; however, in Sindh, it took the invaders nearly three hundred years to advance further. Highlighting the distortions that had crept into Bharatiya society, he pointed out that Sindh alone was confronting these invaders, while neighbouring regions such as Punjab and Rajasthan did not perceive the impending threat to themselves. Until adversity reached them, society remained under the assumption that it was secure.
During the British period, many individuals pursued various approaches to free Bharat from colonial rule. Some believed that an armed revolution could drive the British out of the country. Others felt that participation in such a revolution was not feasible for everyone, and therefore sought to mobilise people through symbolic activities such as spinning yarn and using the charkha, making it easier for the general public to join the movement against British rule.
There was also a section in Bharat that believed an army could be formed to confront the British directly. This effort was undertaken by Rash Behari Bose and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Some individuals held that eliminating social evils should be the primary priority, and efforts in that direction were also initiated.
After travelling across the country, Swami Vivekananda concluded that building social unity in Bharat was of utmost importance. He emphasised the need for character-building at the individual level. In 1897, he had also stated that for the next fifty years, people should set aside the worship of all deities and dedicate themselves solely to the worship of one—Bharat Mata (Mother Bharat).
He stated that Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), deeply reflected on the root causes of Bharat’s subjugation. During his medical studies in Kolkata, he had worked with revolutionaries and later remained actively involved in the Congress as well. He closely observed various social reform movements taking place in the country.
He concluded that the thought of Hindutva in Bharat is of the highest order. However, due to prolonged periods of foreign rule, a gap had emerged between Bharat’s elevated philosophical ideals and actual conduct. Dr. Hedgewar worked to give concrete shape to the conclusions drawn by Swami Vivekananda. He believed that unless the original society of this nation was organised on the basis of its own philosophical foundations, Bharat’s resurgence would not be possible. With this vision, he began organising society based on Bharat’s Sanatan thought. In 1925, he developed the shakha system as a method of social organisation. This effort has now completed one hundred years.
He further said that in subsequent years, RSS swayamsevaks established numerous organisations across different sectors of society to work in alignment with Bharatiya thought. In the field of education, organisations such as Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Vidya Bharati were formed; in the labour sector, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS); for promoting self-reliance, the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch; in the field of service, Seva Bharati and Bharat Vikas Parishad; and in tribal regions, organisations like Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram have been actively working.
Soni noted that these organisations have consistently worked toward re-establishing Bharatiya perspectives. Citing an example, he said that before the presence of BMS, when leftist groups dominated the labour sector, their slogan was: “Fulfil our demands, whatever the compulsion may be.” In contrast, BMS asserted that employers and workers are not adversaries but members of the same family. Accordingly, it gave the slogan: “We will work in the interest of the nation, but we will take full wages.”
He stated that some people are attempting to create disputes in Bharat over language. Language, he emphasised, is merely a medium of expression. Bharat has many languages, but upon closer analysis, one finds that the essence conveyed through them is the same. Poets and saints such as Jayadeva of Odisha, Narsinh Mehta of Gujarat, Shankaradeva of Assam, Tukaram of Maharashtra, and Kabir all expressed ideas that ultimately share a common essence.
He further said that disputes over the nature of God have led to bloodshed across the world. The challenges facing the world today, he asserted, can be addressed only through Hindutva. The reason, he explained, lies in Bharatiya philosophy, which holds that the same divine essence pervades everything—both animate and inanimate.
He added that Bharatiya philosophy recognises that there can be many paths, but the destination is one. Regardless of the path one follows, it ultimately leads to the Divine. People can reach the ultimate goal by worshipping God according to their own inclinations.
Shri Soni noted that, on the occasion of its 100th anniversary, the RSS is working toward five key transformations (Panch Parivartan). The first is environmental protection, which includes tree planting, water conservation, and reducing plastic use. The second is family awareness, which involves sharing weekly meals with family members, engaging in collective prayers, undertaking annual family outings, and adopting Bharatn values in lifestyle and language. The third is Samajik Samarasata, which includes the eradication of caste-based discrimination and ensuring equal access for all to public spaces such as temples, cremation grounds, and water sources. The fourth is Swa Bodh, which emphasises promoting indigenous products, respecting one’s mother tongue, and following the principle of “think globally, act locally.” The fifth is a sense of civic duty, which includes respecting the Constitution and national symbols, adhering to rules, and fulfilling responsibilities as responsible citizens. Through these five initiatives, he said, it is possible to build a strong, disciplined, and progressive society.
At the event, Samir Mohanty, the RSS Sanghachalak of Odisha (Purv) Prant, and Srinivas Manasingh, the Sanghachalak of Bhubaneswar Mahanagar, were present on the dais. More than five hundred distinguished citizens participated in the program.
