Don’t View RSS Through Political Lens: Bhagwat
RSS chief says comparisons and BJP-centric view distort understanding of the Sangh
- Mohan Bhagwat cautions against comparing RSS with other organisations
- Says linking RSS only with BJP leads to misunderstanding
- Highlights RSS goal of creating morally upright citizens
- Addresses youth, intellectuals during centenary programmes in Bengal
GG News Bureau
Kolkata/Siliguri, 21st Dec: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said that attempting to understand the RSS through political comparisons or narrow lenses often leads to serious misunderstandings about the organisation’s true nature and purpose.
Addressing the RSS 100 Vyakhyan Mala programme in Kolkata, Bhagwat said viewing the Sangh merely as another service organisation or assessing it through comparisons would be incorrect. “If you want to understand the Sangh, making comparisons will lead to misunderstandings. If you consider the Sangh to be just another service organisation, you will be mistaken,” he said.
The RSS chief also cautioned against the tendency to view the organisation solely through the prism of the Bharatiya Janata Party. “Many people try to understand the Sangh only through the BJP lens, which is a huge mistake,” Bhagwat remarked, underlining that the RSS has a much broader societal role.
Earlier, as part of the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a Prabuddha Nagarik Sammelan titled “Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh: A Journey of 100 Years” was held at Uttar Banga Marwari Bhavan in Siliguri. Organised by RSS Uttar Banga Prant, the day-long conference witnessed participation from over a hundred intellectuals and socially prominent citizens from eight districts of North Bengal and neighbouring Sikkim.
Bhagwat attended the Sammelan as the chief guest. The programme drew senior citizens, retired government officials, academicians, doctors, advocates, business leaders, artists, writers, sportspersons, members of social and religious organisations, and media representatives.
Earlier this week, addressing a Youth Conference, Bhagwat elaborated on the historical evolution and growth of the RSS over the past century. He highlighted the organisation’s sustained efforts to build a healthy society and a strong nation by nurturing ethically grounded and socially committed swayamsevaks.
Emphasising that the core objective of the RSS is the creation of “sajjan” — morally upright and virtuous individuals — Bhagwat said such individuals, guided by selfless service and value-based living, play a vital role in strengthening national pride and development.
During an interactive question-and-answer session at the Youth Conference, participants raised concerns related to national security, education and India’s national outlook. Responding to the queries, Bhagwat stressed the importance of embracing India’s ancient Sanatan cultural values and promoting self-reliance (Swadeshi) as key pillars of nation-building and national security.
