TAKING FRESH GUARD

At 100, RSS is trying to present itself as more inclusive, even as the assertion of hindutva identity remains prominent in the political environment

- BY PRATUL SHARMA

On Vijaya Dashami in 1925, a 36-year-old doctor from Nagpur, Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, gathered a small group of men at his home and announced, “Today, the sangh begins. ” Few could have imagined that, a century later, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) would grow into one of India’s most influential voluntary organisations—shaping politics, education, culture and civil society.

Over its 100-year journey, the RSS has faced numerous challenges, including being banned three times, criticised for its unabashed advocacy of hindutva, and accused of exerting undue influence over governance. Yet, the organisation has continued to expand. Today, it runs over 80,000 daily shakhas and operates in nearly every district of India. Its symbiotic relationship with the BJP, particularly in the past decade, has propelled the growth of both organisations.

The RSS has sought not only organisational growth but also to embed itself deeply within the sociopolitical fabric of India. This trend is likely to intensify in the years ahead, as the world witnesses increasingly polarised politics.

Central to the RSS ideology is its belief in Hindu rashtra, which has been a rallying point for critics who argue that it is exclusionary, pushing the country’s minorities and marginalised communities to the periphery. Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS chief, has clearly articulated this vision: “India is an undivided Hindu nation that needs no formal declaration.” Bhagwat, the sixth sarsanghchalak of the RSS, has led the organisation since 2009.