In a special program organized by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Bengaluru, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat shared several important points related to the organization's ideology and membership. He clearly stated that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh works in support of policies, not in support of any individual, party, or religion.
New Delhi: On Sunday, at an event organized in Bengaluru to mark 100 years of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stated that the RSS supports policies, not any individual or political party. He added that the Sangh's objective is to unite society and empower the nation.
Bhagwat also clarified that the RSS welcomes all communities, including Muslims and Christians, provided they identify themselves as sons of Bharat Mata (Mother India) and members of the broader Hindu society. He stated that the Sangh does not classify its volunteers based on caste or religion, as all Indians are equal in its eyes.
Sangh's doors open to all communities
Mohan Bhagwat said that the RSS welcomes all communities, whether they are Muslims, Christians, or associated with any other religion or caste. He stated that there is only one condition to join the Sangh: an individual must consider themselves a “son of Bharat Mata” and a part of the extended Hindu society. Bhagwat said,
'The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh does not discriminate against anyone based on caste or religion. For us, all Indians are equal. We do not ask a person who comes to a 'shakha' (RSS branch) who they are, or which religion or caste they belong to. We are all sons of Bharat Mata, and the Sangh works with this spirit.'
The RSS chief also clarified that Muslims or Christians joining the Sangh would have to leave their religious identity outside the 'shakha'. He said,
'Muslims come, Christians come, and all castes of Hindu society come to the 'shakha'. We do not count anyone, nor do we ask who they are. Everyone comes to the Sangh as sons of Bharat Mata.'
This statement was made on the occasion of the Sangh's 100-year journey, and it is considered a subject of discussion both within and outside the organization.
‘RSS supports neither an individual nor a party’
Mohan Bhagwat reiterated in his address that the Sangh does not support any political party. He said,
'We do not participate in any elections because the Sangh works to unite society, while politics often works to divide society. Our objective is to keep society united, not to gain political advantage.'
He also clarified that the Sangh supports policies, not any particular party or leader. Bhagwat gave an example, saying, "We supported the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Therefore, our volunteers voted for those who were in favor of its construction. If the Congress had undertaken the task of temple construction, we would have supported them too."
Definition of ‘Extended Hindu Society’
Mohan Bhagwat clarified the concept of “Hindu society,” stating that the RSS's ‘Hindu society’ is not a limited form of a specific religion, but rather a symbol of a broad cultural identity. He said that the Sangh's ‘Hindutva’ is a way of life that encompasses everyone — it is not against any religion, but rather a symbol of “Indianness”. He said,
'For us, the word Hindu is not a symbol of religious bondage, but a cultural identity. It includes all Indians who feel a connection to the soil and tradition of this country.'
In his speech, Bhagwat also mentioned the Sangh's 100-year journey. He stated that the RSS has reached every section of society in a century, and the organization's objective has always been nation-building and social unity. He said that the Sangh's doors are open to all who wish to work for the welfare and unity of India.
