London: “If I have to mention a single principle, I would mention Apnapan, which means shuddha sattvik prem (pure, selfless love for everyone). That is the traditional nature of a Hindu: love for the individual, for the community, for society, and for humanity as a whole. Hindus can provide a balanced view of the world”, said Dr Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) while answering the question related to 100 years of its journey that what is one element of the Sangh that has withstood the test of time at ‘Celebration of Oneness’ on September 6, 2026.
On Sangh Seva activities, Dr Mohan Bhagwat said, “Swayamsevaks are active in virtually every sphere of human life, making it difficult to summarise the full extent of their work. Even those who oppose us for political reasons recognize the value of our work and the qualities of swayamsevaks. From time to time, they seek our cooperation in crucial matters and engage in dialogue with us. This reflects the broad acceptance of our work across society. Where nobody is doing anything, Sangh is doing Seva. From Ladakh to Kanyakumari”.
Answering the question on what should be the one piece of wisdom for the next 100 years for the Sangh? He said the Sangh has to continue the work it did, for the next hundred years of the Sangh. He said, “First thing that comes to my mind is it should not take so long to complete all work. Already my is third generation working. There are two generations now in Sangha more. So, five generations are working together. Before seventh generation, the organising of the Hindu society should be completed”.
What Hindu civilisation brings to the world that is essential? While explaining this question, he said, “All Hindu thoughts have been based on this single theme. There is a reason why there is karma. Existence is really one. It appears to be diverse. Diversity is our nature. So, we have to accept them; we have to respect them. But we have to deal with diversities keeping in mind that these are the various decorations of unity of existence. One has become many; therefore many are respected. All is one. On this basis, we deal with everything”.
“The word Hindu, we cannot understand on the basis of any religious practice or lifestyle. Hindu is a nature. Society needs nature to accept and respect all diversities, because it holds that all ways lead to the same goal. All diversities are diversities of unity. So, when we look at that unity, then we can respect and accept all diversity. That thought is Hindu thought. That kind of nature is Hindu nature. That has been history of Hindu society and Bharat. So, when we say Hindu, it is not a religion. It is not merely a word. There may be Hindu religions, but religions, despite their specific philosophies and practices, can exist within this broader Hindu civilisational framework,” he said on a question regarding the concept of ‘Hindu Rashtra’ and “Hindutva”.
When asked about the role of the future generation, he said he is more confident about them. They have the urge to make the world a better place, and they are ready to shed their petty differences of all kinds for this purpose. He said, “They are more honest. It naturally happens as we grow older. We go through so many experiences, so we become cautious. We don’t speak freely all the time. We always think about what will happen because we know what may happen. The younger generation does not have these experiences. If they find something right, they will just embrace it and do it. They are not worried about the consequences because they are young. So, if we give this purpose to them and provide them with the necessary knowledge and insights from our experience, without imposing on them, we should let them find their own way”.
On the role of young Hindus in dealing with future challenges for Bharat, Sanrsanghchalak said that the duty is coming to the young generation only to live their values. And therefore, in seva also, they will have to do that. Seva must be done selflessly. Seva, seva is nothing which makes you great. It is not the upakar. It is not something being very compassionate you are doing to humanity. We say seva is your chance to get nearer to God. You are not doing something good to those whom you serve. They are doing immense good to you by giving you the chance to serve. So seva should be done with this attitude.
The final question was about the question of loyalty of British Hindus, who are being questioned in the UK when they talk about Bharat. What does the Sangh expect from a British Swayamsevak? Answering this question Sarsanghchalak ji said, “There is no conflict. If British Hindus are achhe, pakke, sachche Hindus, there will never be a conflict between British and Bharat’s interests. If, at all, such a situation arises, it is obvious that British Hindus will go with Britain. Exceptions may happen, but Hindutva is clear on this. Your karmabhumi is where your loyalty lies. Your Janmabhumi, or the land of your origin or birthplace, and your Punyabhumi are where you receive your values. You have to live those values in your Karmabhumi, serving the land where you live”.
“If you look to the audience, or to society in general, human society in general, yes there is diversity; it’s natural, we have to go through it. But you give your emphasis on what unites us instead of what divides us. If we do that, our communities, our society will prosper, and world will be a better place. This is what we will have to do,” Sanrsanghchalak ji replied to the perception that Hindus are not united. What is the essence of unity according to him?
Notably, the dialogue was moderated by Mamata Subranhamnyam, a wellness expert based in the UK. The event, organised and initiated by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), drew 600 people in the audience representing 326 organisations. Among important attendees during the event were Members of the House of Lords, MPs (Members of the House of Commons), Mayors, Councillors and the High Commissioner of Bharat to UK, Periasamy Kumaran, Deputy High Commissioner of Bharat to UK Kartik Pande and other leaders of community. The Programme began in silence, in memory of lives lost and families displaced by the Nepal floods. As it was informed during the event, Seva UK has raised 100,000 pounds through donations for relief efforts in Nepal.
During his visit to London, Dr Bhagwat met faith leaders, academics, researchers and other public figures. As part of his interfaith engagement, he visited Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Willesden, Khalsa Jatha British Isles Gurdwara, and other religious places in London. More than 310 community organisations and associations from across the UK took part in the celebration. Notably, 11 Language communities in the UK, across sections of Hindu society, attended the event.
