Declaring that India is undivided and a Hindu nation, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat outlined the organisation’s views on national unity, population, reservations, language, religious conversions.
In his three-day lecture series ‘100 Years of the RSS Journey - New Horizons’, he emphasised that the RSS was not opposed to any community and called for mutual trust across faiths.
For its 100th year, Bhagwat presented the Sangh 2.0 model for the country, and agreed that certain objectionable references in ancient religious texts were not valid, stating that the organisation's aim was cultural unity among India's communities.
His lectures are keenly watched as they provide context and direction to the largest Hindu organisation in the country which then influences its policy, polity and public engagement. The first two days of the lecture saw the articulation of the Sangh’s traditional stand, but the final day—which included questions on the burning issues of today—provided a peek into the Sangh's current line of thought.
In terms of political messaging, he cleared the air that there was no retirement age, which signalled not only that he was going to stay long, but that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi could continue past 75 (this September).
Bhagwat argued that the Sangh evolved with time, maintaining flexibility, but still keeping some things constant, like its mission to prepare individuals for the larger cause: the Hindu identity and India being a Hindu Rashtra.
On 'Hindu Rashtra' and minorities
“India is a Hindu nation and does not need a formal declaration. Our sages declared it long ago. It is not dependent on any official announcement. Accepting it benefits you; rejecting it harms you,” Bhagwat said, reaffirming the RSS' foundational belief.
He went on to explain the idea of a Hindu Rashtra.
“Partition had left deep scars and adverse consequences, but India’s cultural unity remained intact. India is undivided, this is a fact of life. Our ancestors, culture and motherland unite us. Akhand Bharat is not politics but the unity of consciousness. When this feeling awakens, everyone will be happy and peaceful,” he said.
Rejecting the perception that the RSS was hostile towards minorities, he added: “We say Hindu, you call it Indian—the meaning is the same. Our ancestors and culture are one. Worship methods may differ, but our identity is the same. Muslims must shed the fear that walking together will endanger their Islam.”
He also argued that places should not be named after invaders but after inspirational figures such as Abdul Hameed, Ashfaqulla Khan and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
Bhagwat also raised concerns over foreign funds.
“Funds from abroad for service work are fine, but they must be used for that purpose. Problems arise when they are diverted for religious conversions. There must be scrutiny and regulation, and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure this.”
On Mathura and Kashi
Bhagwat underlined the importance of Kashi and Mathura for Hindus, while clarifying that the RSS would no longer directly spearhead temple movements.
“The Ram Mandir was our demand and we supported that movement. But in future, the Sangh will not directly participate. Yet it is natural that Hindus will express their attachment to Kashi, Mathura and Ayodhya,” he noted.
On temple management, he stressed that devotees must eventually take charge.
“Temples should be handed over to devotees, but proper systems must be in place to manage worship, resources and welfare,” he noted.
On retirement
The RSS chief reiterated that the organisation had no retirement age.
“We are all volunteers. Even at 80, if I am assigned to run a shakha, I must do it. Retirement has no place here,” he said, while adding that leadership responsibilities were widely distributed.
In that regard, he also highlighted contributions by women.
“In 1936, the Rashtra Sevika Samiti was formed to run women’s branches. Many Sangh-inspired organisations are led by women. For us, men and women are complementary,” he said.
On population and demographic change
The RSS chief called for a balance in birth rates.
“Population should be both adequate and controlled. Experts say a fertility rate of 2.1 stabilises population. The new generation must be prepared for this,” he observed, adding that three children would be the ideal limit for the size of a family.
On demographic change, he cautioned against forced conversions and illegal immigration.
“Conversions must not happen through greed or force; if they do, they must be stopped. As for infiltration, our people should get jobs, not those who enter illegally,” he said.
On the RSS' role in the freedom struggle
Often questioned for its lack of a role in the freedom movement, the RSS chief highlighted the organisation’s role in the freedom movement and social reforms, stating that "the Sangh never raises a separate flag in social struggles".
"Volunteers are free to support good initiatives wherever they take place,” he added.
He went on to speak of the RSS’ structure:
“The Sangh has no subordinate institutions. All affiliated organisations are independent, autonomous and self-reliant. We may have differences of opinion, but not of hearts—and this belief leads everyone to the same destination.”
He cited leaders such as Jayaprakash Narayan and Pranab Mukherjee, who changed their views about the RSS over time, to underline how the organisation’s work speaks for itself.
On reservations and social justice
Addressing the contentious issue of reservation, he even agreed at one point that the Sangh had been divided during the initial days, but those divisions were resolved with sensitivity on the intervention of the then Sangh chief.
“This is not a matter of logic but of sensitivity. If injustice has been done, it must be corrected. The RSS has always supported constitutional reservations and will continue to do so as long as beneficiaries feel the need.”
Citing a 1972 declaration by Hindu religious leaders, he said untouchability had no place in Hinduism and caste discrimination was often based on misinterpretation.
“India’s people oppose caste bias, and so does the Sangh,” he asserted.
On the language debate
“All Indian languages are national,” Bhagwat said, while calling for one common link language that should not be foreign.
Everyone must know their mother tongue, their state language, and one shared language. At the same time, we should also learn global languages, he pointed out.
The RSS will now come out with a separate booklet on these lectures for wider circulation.