The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) celebrated Vijayadashami Utsav in Nagpur on October 20, 2026, marking the culmination of its centenary celebrations. RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat addressed the gathering on the occasion.
Warning against the exploitation of social movements by divisive and politically motivated forces, Dr Mohan Bhagwat said, “Behind these efforts lies the inspiration that, 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. 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. Global powers that wish to keep India subdued also occasionally play their part in this process. I am reminded of the closing lines of a very old Marathi song sung by Smt. Asha Bhosle: “वाढवीत भेदभावा दुष्टतेचा फिरतो कावा गाठूनिया भोळ्या जीवा अंधारात घालिल घावा”
(Evil schemes are at work, deepening divisions and striking from the dark at innocent, unsuspecting people.)
Hence—“चित्त नित्य सावध ठेवा एक लक्ष्यि लावून डोळे”
(Remain ever vigilant, keeping your eyes focused on a single goal.)”
Emphasising the need to preserve mutual goodwill and remain focused on Bharat’s national aspirations, Dr Bhagwat said, “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. That society alone which remains firmly rooted in mutual affection, discipline, and unwavering commitment to its national goal achieves unity and attains invincible strength. Sangh realizes that, in ancient times, our society realized the truth of the unity of existence. To impart this experience of oneness to the world from time to time, our society has traditionally lived a life that is diverse in form yet harmonious in essence, accepting, respecting, and honouring all.”
