Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, defended the organisation on Friday in Bhopal, saying its uniforms and drills should not be mistaken for a paramilitary structure. Addressing a gathering of prominent citizens, he urged people to judge the Sangh by visiting a local shakha rather than by association with the BJP or affiliated bodies.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and public perception
Bhagwat acknowledged the visible trappings of the Sangh, including uniformed marches and stick drills, but insisted these activities form part of a discipline that aims to foster social unity and civic virtues. “If someone thinks it is a paramilitary organisation, it will be a mistake,” he said, calling the Sangh a unique movement that cannot be understood simply by looking at political parties or educational affiliates.
He also criticised what he described as a growing habit of relying on superficial sources for information. “Nowadays, people do not go deep to gather the right information. They go to Wikipedia. Everything is not true out there,” he said, urging those seeking clarity to consult reliable sources and to visit Sangh branches to form their own view.
Bhagwat reiterated the Sangh’s stated mission to cultivate workers who will build a patriotic environment, saying the organisation grooms swayamsevaks and instils values, goals and a spirit of service. He was at pains to distinguish the Sangh’s social mobilisation from direct control of individuals, saying it does not attempt to manage people “by remote” but rather encourages voluntary commitment.
The chief traced India’s history of foreign invasions to argue for the need to cultivate internal strength and unity. He said that invasions had occurred repeatedly before the British arrived and that independence from political rule had not entirely removed mental habits of subservience. “Political slavery has certainly ended, but mental slavery still persists to some extent. We’ll have to end it as well,” he said.
Emphasising economic self-reliance, Bhagwat urged citizens to take pride in bhajans and traditional foods and to prefer Swadeshi goods to support domestic employment. He qualified the stance by saying trade with other countries should continue where needed, for essentials such as medicines, but always on India’s own terms.
On finances, Bhagwat said the Sangh’s financial position was sound and that it did not depend on external funds. He recalled periods of hardship across the organisation’s 100 years, including opposition during the British era and violent attacks after independence, but said pressures to suppress the group were now receding.
To close, Bhagwat extended an open invitation to the public to see the Sangh at work. “I have put forth my views about the Sangh… come inside to understand it. If I explain for two hours how sweet sugar tastes it would be futile. Have a teaspoon of sugar, and you will understand,” he said, urging direct engagement rather than reliance on secondhand narratives.
Key Takeaways:
- RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat rejects claims the organisation is paramilitary and urges people to visit local shakhas.
- He stresses unity, self-reliance and pride in Swadeshi goods as means to strengthen the nation.
- Bhagwat highlights historical invasions and warns that mental slavery persists despite political independence.
- The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh says it is financially independent and focused on social grooming rather than party control.
