The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is often described globally as the world’s largest
far-right Hindu organization, frequently accused of promoting the “saffronization” of Bharat and the exclusion of those perceived as “outsiders” from the land of Bharat Mata.
Founded during the oppressive pre-independence era, the organization came into existence on the auspicious day of Vijay Dashami, 27 September 1925, in Nagpur, under the leadership of Dr.
Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. The RSS was established with the objective of carrying forward the
idea of national renaissance envisioned by thinkers such as Dayananda Saraswati, Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda, and Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Its foundational aim was to rejuvenate the nation by restoring what it perceived as the lost “Hindu psyche” among the people of a colonized and disorganized society.
To achieve its goal of man-making and fostering Hindu unity, the RSS introduced the concept of daily Shakhas. A Shakha is a one-hour daily gathering that includes physical training,
discipline-building exercises, and ideological discussions, all aligned with the Sangh’s vision of character and nation-building.
The first Sarsanghchalak believed that the primary reason for India’s colonization was the lack of unity among Hindus, who constituted nearly 80% of the population. This perceived disunity and lack of collective valor shaped the RSS’s orientation as a man-making organization. Dr.
Hedgewar also envisioned the presence of the RSS across all facets of future Indian society.
In contemporary India, more than 50 organizations collectively form the Sangh Parivar. These bodies have established a significant presence across multiple sectors of Indian society. The Parivar includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the current ruling party of India and the world’s largest political party; the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which works towards the protection and promotion of Hindu traditions; the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing; the Bajrang Dal, often described as a militant youth organization; and Vidya Bharati, which provides education to over three million students nationwide.
The RSS has consistently faced accusations of being anti-Muslim, non-secular, and driven by an agenda to transform India into a Hindu Rashtra. Its ideological proximity to the BJP has led to
the perception that the RSS operates as a political instrument of the ruling party. Media polarization around these narratives has significantly impacted the organization’s public image.
Recently, during an interaction between I.I.M.U.N. and the Sarsanghchalak of the RSS, the youth participants engaged in an open and free-flowing dialogue to better understand the organization’s ideology and purpose. This interaction provided insight into the Sangh’s stated mission and the
rationale behind its existence.
According to the RSS leadership, the organization believes there is no place for religious animosity in Indian society and that divisions are often created for electoral gain. The Sangh subscribes to the belief that “everyone’s future lies in the future of the country.” The
Sarsanghchalak also stated that the RSS does not exert direct control over organizations within the Sangh Parivar, asserting that each entity functions autonomously. Furthermore, the RSS
maintains that it is not responsible for violent actions carried out by affiliated organizations. The Sangh affirms its faith in the Indian Constitution and encourages adherence to the rule of law and social order.
The RSS functions primarily through its Pracharaks, who dedicate themselves full-time to organizational activities. These individuals renounce personal family life and marriage to serve the cause of nation-building. At present, the RSS operates more than 57,000 Shakhas across India, engaging with millions of citizens on a daily basis.
The ongoing polarization of the RSS in the media, according to its supporters, is largely a result of political narratives aimed at gaining electoral advantage over the current ruling party. To truly understand the organization’s nation-building work, one must engage directly by attending its
Shakhas or participating in its annual camps held at Reshimbagh, Nagpur-the organization’s headquarters.