An Exploration of RSS's Fundamental Philosophy

The RSS's centennial journey has been of persistent expansion and unwavering resolve.

- MANMOHAN VAIDYA

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has entered its centennial year since its inception. Since its establishment, the organization has consistently expanded, strengthened, and increased its influence, sparking curiosity among people to learn about and understand its activities. To fully comprehend the RSS, it is essential to understand its founder, Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the first Sarsanghachalak. Dr Hedgewar was a born patriot who intensely despised British rule, which was evident from his childhood.

However, he believed that striving solely for independence was akin to treating the symptoms of a disease rather than addressing its root cause. He held it was crucial to introspect and ascertain the underlying reasons that led to the subjugation of a vast, affluent, and prosperous Bharatiya society.

To address these fundamental maladies, he envisioned fostering a sense of self-awareness, self-respect, unity, fraternal bonding, discipline, and national character within society. While actively participating in all endeavors aimed at achieving independence, he founded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in October 1925, on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami.

During this period, many spiritual and social organizations emerged, contributing significantly to Bharat's progress. The formation of the RSS was entirely consonant with this larger movement. However, from its inception, it was evident that the RSS would function not merely as a subsidiary organization within society, but rather as the very embodiment of the entire Hindu society. A distinguished thinker has astutely observed that conceptually the RSS and Hindu society are coterminous and psychologically they are one, existing in a state of symbiotic unity.