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Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said that despite its uniforms and physical exercises, the Sangh is not a paramilitary organisation, and warned that trying to understand it through the BJP’s lens would be a serious mistake, PTI reported.
Addressing a gathering of prominent persons here on Friday, he said, the RSS works to unite the society and fill it with the necessary qualities and virtues to ensure that India never again falls into the clutches of any foreign power.
What did the RSS chief say?
“We wear uniforms, march and do stick drills,” he said. (But) if anyone thinks it is a paramilitary organisation, it would be a mistake.” He said it is difficult to understand the Sangh, which is a unique organisation.
Bhagwat said, “If you want to understand the Sangh by looking at the BJP, it will be a big mistake. The same (mistake) will happen if you try to understand it by looking at Vidya Bharti (an RSS-affiliated organisation).”
In particular, the RSS is widely considered to be the parent organization of the Jana Sangh and its successor, the BJP.
“False story fabricated against the Sangh”
Bhagwat also said that a “false narrative” was being created against the RSS.
He said, “Nowadays, people don’t go deep to gather correct information. They don’t go to the original. They go to Wikipedia. Everything there is not true. People who go to reliable sources will come to know about the Sangh.”
Bhagwat, who visited the country during the RSS’s centenary year, said because of these misunderstandings, it became necessary to explain the role and mission of the RSS.
He said, “The Sangh grooms the volunteers and also develops values, ideas and goals to work for the ‘ultimate glory’ of India. But the Sangh does not remotely control those volunteers. The Sangh is working through its shakhas to create a group of workers who will create a patriotic atmosphere.”
“There is a common perception that the Sangh was born as a reaction or protest (to existing forces). This is not the case. The Sangh is not a reaction or protest to anything. The Sangh is not even competing with anyone,” the RSS chief said.
He pointed out that the British were not the first to attack the country.
“Again and again, a handful of people from remote areas who were inferior to the Indians came and defeated us.”
Bhagwat said, “(They) were not as rich as us, not as virtuous as us… They came from remote areas and did not know the nuances of the country, but they defeated us in our own home. This happened seven times, and the British were the eighth invaders… So, what is the guarantee of independence? We have to consider why this happens again and again.”
“We must understand ourselves and rise above selfishness. If the society stands united with virtues and virtues, the fortunes of this country will change forever.”
He said, “Political slavery has definitely ended, but mental slavery still persists to some extent. We have to end this too.”
The RSS chief called on people to take pride in their bhajans (devotional songs) and food.
Advocating the use of indigenous goods, he said, “To become self-reliant, you need self-respect. Buy and use only what is made on your land and which provides employment to the people of your country.”
Bhagwat said, “However, being indigenous does not mean that you cut down trade with the world. Import only essential goods like medicines which are not produced in India. But trade should never be under any pressure or fear of tariffs. It should only be on our own terms.”
He said that the financial condition of the Sangh is now fine and it is not dependent on external funds or donations. He also recalled the financial hardship endured by the organization in the last 100 years.
The RSS chief said, “First of all, it was the British government that worked against the RSS. But even after independence, the Sangh faced extreme opposition, pressure, attacks and even killings. Efforts to put pressure on us and crush us still happen, but now these are reducing.”
Concluding his address, Bhagwat appealed to the people to visit the Sangh’s shakha to understand the organization better.
The Sangh prepares volunteers and also develops values, ideas and goals to work for the ‘ultimate glory’ of India.
He said, “I have expressed my views about the Sangh… Come inside to understand it. If you don’t fully believe what I say, that’s fine. The best way is for you to come and understand the Sangh. If I explain for two hours how sweet sugar tastes (it will be a waste)… take a spoonful of sugar, and you will understand.”
(with inputs from agencies)
If you want to understand Sangh by looking at BJP then it will be a big mistake.
key takeaways
- RSS is not a paramilitary organization but a unique entity created with the aim of uniting the society.
- To truly understand RSS, direct experience is necessary rather than relying on external perceptions.
- Self-reliance and pride in local goods is important for India’s progress and independence.
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