Mohan Bhagwat Says RSS Is Largest Yet Widely Misunderstood Organisation In India
Bhagwat calls RSS largest, misunderstood organisation.
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday described the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as the world’s largest voluntary organisation while also calling it one of the “most misunderstood” institutions. He made the remarks during an event held as part of the organisation’s centenary celebrations. Bhagwat said the RSS is often perceived in different ways by outsiders, including as a paramilitary-style organisation due to its uniformed route marches, or as a body focused primarily on physical training and martial arts.
He noted that such interpretations do not reflect the organisation’s actual structure or objectives. Addressing these perceptions, the RSS chief said the organisation cannot be accurately understood from an external viewpoint alone. He emphasised that its activities and philosophy are often misinterpreted when observed only from a distance, without direct engagement or experience of its internal functioning. “The best way to understand the Sangh is to engage with it and experience it from within,” Bhagwat said.
He added that meaningful understanding requires a sense of assurance that allows individuals to examine the organisation closely and without apprehension. He further clarified that the RSS was neither formed as a reaction to any specific historical situation nor positioned in opposition to any particular group, society segment, or political party. According to him, the organisation’s purpose is broader and rooted in long-term societal engagement rather than immediate political or reactive objectives.
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Bhagwat’s remarks come amid ongoing public debates and differing perceptions about the role of the RSS in India’s social and political landscape. The organisation, founded in 1925, has played a significant role in shaping ideological discourse and has maintained a wide network of affiliated groups across various sectors.
The centenary celebrations have provided a platform for the RSS leadership to outline its vision and address long-standing questions about its ideology, organisational structure, and public perception. Bhagwat’s comments reflect an attempt to present the organisation as a voluntary cultural body rather than a political entity, while acknowledging the varying interpretations it continues to attract.
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