RSS Sarasanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat
Reflecting on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) centenary year, Sarasanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat emphasised that India’s enduring strength lies in its civilisational identity and civil harmony. Addressing key national issues, the RSS chief outlined the organization’s massive door-to-door outreach—which reached over 10 crore households across the nation—while cautioning against the irresponsible use of social media and rising drug addiction among youth
1. The RSS is commemorating the lives and legacies of Sant Shiromani Ravidas Ji Maharaj, Swami Shraddhanand Ji, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati Ji Maharaj and Raj Narayan Basu, highlighting their contributions to social awakening, service, education, and the protection of Dharma. Through programmes organised across Shakhas, the Sangh seeks to acquaint society with their ideals of sacrifice, selfless service, hard work and unwavering commitment to Bharat’s civilisational consciousness, inspiring future generations to carry their legacy forward.
2. In our Constitution, we have described ourselves as One people—as “We, the People of India”—a society that, despite its immense diversity, is bound together by a deep sense of emotional unity. The very same Constitution, in its guiding principles, clearly envisions the need to continually strengthen and deepen this bond of unity among our people.
3. When we look at the circumstances before us today, it becomes evident that the dedication, discipline, and sacrifice required of us now will have to be even greater than what was demanded in the struggle for our country’s independence.
4. Fortunately, India has, since time immemorial, carried forward a spiritual tradition that has been continually illuminated and strengthened by the direct realisations of countless spiritual luminaries. This tradition teaches us that, just as the diversity of creation is natural yet ever-changing, the underlying unity of all existence is an eternal, immutable, and unchanging truth.
5. Bharat’s inherent temperament to respect and accept all forms of diversity, to preserve and protect them, and at the same time to remain flexible enough to change what is transient or out of date with the times, is a result of this eternal Sanatana vision. As and when this spirit has been at its strongest among the people of Bharat, then and at those times Bharat was an exemplary nation to the world in every respect.
6. We must once again remember the very foundation of our existence and identity, organise ourselves around it, and resolve to work together for the welfare and well-being of one another.
7. Programs were undertaken on the occasion of Sangh’s centenary to expand Shakhas and the outreach of Swayamsevaks. The report of the programs received so far is as follows: Sampark Abhiyan – (Door to Door Campaign) 10,19,88,511 houses were contacted in 4,61,527 Villages and 41,076 Bastis (Urban areas). Prabhudha Nagarik Goshthi – were conducted in 1,117 Districts wherein 4,26,497 prominent personalities were present. Sadbhavana Baithak – was held in 5,036 Khand(Taluk). Hindu Sammelan were held in 34,187 Mandals. Yuva Sammelan – 39,25,225 Youth participated.
8. Sangh Karyakartas also undertook visits to the so-called developed countries of the West, with the objective of providing their societies with correct information about Bharat, Hindutva, and Sangh. There too, the true and authentic understanding of our Sanatan, all-embracing and benevolent Bharatiya culture; the inclusive and all-encompassing nature of Hindu society; and the objectives and work of the Sangh was placed before the people.
9. All five initiatives (Panch Parivartan) —namely, Samajik Samarasata (Social Harmony), Kutumba Prabodhan , Prayavaran (Environment), Swa-Bodh and Swadeshi, and Nagarik Anushasan (Civic Discipline)—have been welcomed by all sections and strata of the society. Their need has also been felt in other countries of the world. These are not merely programs to be undertaken for a year; rather, they represent a way of life and conduct aimed at bringing about a transformation in our behaviour.
10. With the advancement of science and technology, all kinds of information and news are now accessible to everyone through social media. In many countries, the younger generation absorbs the information received through these media without exercising discernment between what is appropriate and what is inappropriate.
11. Having experienced the adverse consequences of social media, some countries have introduced certain regulations and restrictions on such media platforms. In our own country too, society is increasingly recognizing the need for such measures, particularly with regard to OTT platforms. The government should give this matter due consideration. At the same time, even when information is freely available, the younger generation must be taught to exercise discernment between what is appropriate and what is inappropriate.
12. Various adverse consequences in personal, family, and social life are visible due to the absence of such discernment. It is this same lack of discernment that is causing the younger generation across the world to fall prey to addiction to intoxicating drugs. Drug addiction is a serious national problem, and the government, administration, and the society must timely address it and start taking measures to overcome it.
13. In the times to come, the great responsibility of building a Bharat that attains supreme prosperity and fulfils its role as a Vishwaguru will rest on the shoulders of the coming generation. To accept this challenge and respond to it successfully, our youth must be fully equipped in every respect.
14. Advances in science and technology help human beings lead a materially comfortable life and refine their conduct based on knowledge and reason. Therefore, new knowledge, scientific developments, and technology should be welcomed and embraced. However, it must also be remembered that technology is merely a means.
15. It is essential that we develop a holistic and balanced vision of development. It is the human being who determines the appropriate direction in which a means is to be used and decides what is right or wrong in its use. Therefore, along with acquiring knowledge and technology, discernment necessary for their proper use should also be cultivated, as well as the ethical and practical discipline governing its use, should be put into practice.
16. It is for this reason that Bharat’s Sanatan holistic vision of life, by its sense of wholeness and oneness, seeks to see a culture rooted in the values of harmony and restraint, flourish throughout the entire world. Our ancestors described this vision as “Sa Prathama Sanskriti Vishvavara”—the foremost culture, worthy of embracing the whole world.
17. Bharat is the land of those who are engrossed in the light of knowledge, where “Bha” signifies the light of knowledge. Remembering and nurturing this Hindu spirit, which can and has the desire to unite the entire world, is an essential prerequisite for the progress and unity of Bharat.
18.The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is working to awaken this very Hindu spirit and build the entire society into a well-organized and strong society. Without strength even the sustenance, prestige, and protection of individual life to global life is not possible.
19. Hindu society’s worldview and nature are inclusive, we must understand that such efforts will only strengthen the emotional unity, goodwill, and good conduct among all of us. It is this very nature and these values, passed down from generation to generation, that inspires Captain Smith Machchar to put his own life in danger and devote himself to protect human lives.
20.The apprehensions we harbour towards one another, rooted in the history of the past, keep us apart. While acknowledging the facts of history, we must conduct ourselves in such a way that existing knots are untangled and no new ones are formed. We must keep distance from those engage in or who provoke us over trivial matters and instigate or create conflicts.
21. Our behaviour should always be courteous and considerate, reflect a sense of belonging, and demonstrate due regard for the dignity and respect of citizens. We must remain conscious of this all the time.
22. There are also ongoing attempts to cast doubt on the goodwill of Sangh and the sincerity of its intentions by citing certain undesirable and/or unexpected incidents occurring here and there, with which the Sangh has neither any connection nor any association or support. The work of the Sangh is founded on pure, selfless, and virtuous love. It is carried forward through the dedication, service, and hard work of its Swayamsevaks. The Sangh seeks nothing for itself.
23. A storm has swept in from the West, driven by a demonic resolve to destroy and devastate all that is decent, auspicious, and rooted in cultural and human values, both in Bharat and across the world. Even the so-called developed nations across the world are afflicted by this storm and find themselves helpless before it. However, over the past decades, Bharat has gradually carved out a place for itself in the world through its own strength and sound policies.
24. The collective endeavour of Bharat’s society is bearing fruit in every sphere, driven by strong policies, leadership, national pride, and an awakening of its awareness of its responsibilities towards the world. As Bharat continues to progress in this manner, the designs of those forces that seek to create instability among the nations of the world and install their own proxies in positions of influence, so that they can serve as instruments for advancing their selfish interests, will be thwarted, and their operations will be shut down.
25. In our vast society problems do exist. There are likely to be numerous shortcomings in the system as well. It is only natural that these may lead to agitations. However, such agitations should aim to provide solutions.
26. Whether it is a group within the society leading the agitation, or the government and administration taking action to maintain peace and order, or political leaders playing their part, we must ensure that our actions do not create discord, animosity, resentment, bitterness, or divisions within our one, undivided society, even when emotions run high, our actions must remain within the bounds of our Constitution and the law, and our speech, conduct, and behaviour must always reflect the dignity and decorum of a civilised discourse, We must remain mindful of this. We must be vigilant that the lure of votes, cheap popularity, or political gains does not overpower our prudence and goodwill.
27. Experience shows that it is neither the government alone that can resolve all the problems of society, nor is it true that problems can be resolved only through agitations. Solutions can also emerge through the active participation of the society and dialogue amongst its members.
28. The Swayamsevaks of Sangh strive to foster this kind of community-led initiative within the society. The experience of such efforts by Swayamsevaks, particularly in rural schools, has been encouraging. A report of the study conducted across 1296 schools spanning 210 districts of 21 Sangh Prants has indicated that, wherever villagers participated and Swayamsevaks extended their support, improvements were observed in student attendance, learning levels of students scaled up, and parental involvement increased.
29. Across all the service initiatives undertaken by Swayamsevaks throughout the country, efforts are directed towards strengthening a sense of self-respect, self-reliance, and a spirit of contribution and participation in the life of the nation among our fellow countrymen. These initiatives also seek to equip them with the strength and capabilities needed to translate these ideals into practice.
30. We too have a responsibility to guide the society and the nation, since this country and society are our own. The same spirit should also guide social movements. However, when this is not the case and a movement becomes a tool of politics, driven by hostility and antagonism towards an individual, a group, or an ideology, forces seeking to undermine Bharat take advantage of the situation.
31. Deepening the differences of opinion and turning them into mutual hostility, evoke a feeling of victimhood in the context of various problems, and thereby creating faithlessness towards the systems of the country, and create an atmosphere of discord, intense discontent, separatism, disorder, and chaos in the country is their modus operandi.
32. It is clear that we must protect our mutual goodwill by remaining alert and safeguarding ourselves against the intellectual confusion created by such divisive tendencies. We must remain vigilant, avoid being disturbed or provoked in any way and with our aspiration and goal of seeing Bharat attain the status of Vishwaguru always firmly in our minds, continue striving in our efforts.
33. Under the influence of communal and extremist ideologies, we too came to believe that since we appear different, we are, in reality, not one but separate from one another. Driven by the obsession with separatism, combined with the lust for political dominance, and the pursuit of selfish interests, we gradually began to reject the very foundations that had held us together as one.
34. Vande Mataram which defeated the divisive conspiracy of the division of Bengal continues to be a powerful source of same inspiration of unity even today. It is our national song, and there should be no hesitation or objection to sing it in its entirety, with pride and in a loud, clear voice.
35. Devotion to Bharat as our motherland, pride in and emulation of the lives of our common Bharatiya ancestors, and the shaping of our lives in accordance with the universal human values of our eternal Bharatiya culture have always kept us united.
36. We must not repeatedly make the mistake of abandoning these foundations of our unity, and stumble over the same obstacles again and again either out of misplaced fears that our smaller identities are under threat or by allowing ourselves to be misled by the pride associated with them.
37. We must abandon our individual egos, the misconceptions we harbour about our own and others’ forms of worship, and the tendency to regard diversity as separation. Wholeheartedly embracing this threefold bond that unites us all—devotion to Bharat, pride in our ancestors, and commitment to Bharatiya culture—we must tread on the path of thriving for our nation.
38. The root of the problems that trouble and terrify the world today lie in its incomplete outlook on life. Otherwise, when it comes to human effort and endeavour, we too have much to learn from the rest of the world.
39. We have to build a Bharat that can provide a path of development complete in all aspects with the holistic wisdom of Dharma and offer the world a new path towards happiness and peace. Grounded in our national values, we have to set a new path of development for the entire world through our own model.
