RSS: A Century of Nation-Building and Misplaced Political Attacks

MGMMTeam
Aug 15
5 min read

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s acknowledgment of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as the “world’s biggest NGO” during his Independence Day address has reignited political debates. Predictably, Congress and its allies have used this as an opportunity to target both Modiji and the RSS, painting them with the same political brush. This repeated attempt to malign the RSS not only distorts historical facts but also ignores the organisation’s unparalleled record of national service spanning over a century.

*Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Mohan Bhagwat at RSS headquarters in Nagpur. (File photo: PTI) | India Today*

RSS – A Non-Political Force for National Unity

Founded in 1925, the RSS was not conceived as a political outfit. Its mission has always been rooted in nation-building, character formation, and societal harmony. Unlike political parties, the RSS does not contest elections nor does it formally back any specific party. Its volunteers – “Swayamsevaks” – are engaged in countless activities from disaster relief to rural education, health initiatives, and promoting interfaith understanding.

Over the decades, the RSS has extended its helping hand to all communities – Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and others. Whether it was providing shelter and aid during natural disasters or running blood donation drives, the organisation has consistently acted without discrimination.

Helping Muslims, Bridging Communities

Contrary to the persistent accusations of being “anti-Muslim,” the RSS has made deliberate and sustained efforts to foster Hindu-Muslim dialogue. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has repeatedly stated that the Sangh is not against any religion, emphasising that India’s diversity is a strength, not a weakness. In 2022, he met with 60 Islamic scholars to encourage open communication and mutual respect. The RSS leadership has also engaged with Muslim thinkers, religious leaders, and academics to dismantle mistrust and build a shared vision for India.

In fact, RSS swayamsevaks have participated in relief work for Muslims affected by riots, floods, and other crises. This is not the behaviour of an organisation driven by sectarian hatred, but of one committed to a united and resilient India.

Modiji’s Roots in the RSS Ethos

Narendra Modi’s early years as an RSS pracharak shaped his discipline, work ethic, and commitment to service. His political career may have taken him to the prime minister’s office, but the foundational values he absorbed in the RSS – self-reliance, service before self, and grassroots engagement – remain evident in his governance style. Yet, Congress and like-minded critics often conflate his political role with the organisation’s identity, using it as a political weapon rather than engaging with its actual work.

The Nathuram Godse Misrepresentation

One of the most persistent myths used to tarnish the RSS is the claim that Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin, was an active RSS member at the time of the assassination. Historical records show otherwise. While Godse had briefly been associated with the RSS in his youth, he had severed his ties long before 1948. At the time of the assassination, he was part of the Hindu Mahasabha, not the RSS.

Even the Government of India, after a detailed judicial inquiry, found no institutional role of the RSS in the murder of Gandhiji. This fact, however, is often brushed aside in favour of politically convenient narratives. The constant repetition of this falsehood serves only to unfairly malign the organisation.

Gandhiji and the Freedom Struggle

While Mahatma Gandhi led India’s non-violent independence movement, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was simultaneously working to create a strong civic and cultural foundation for the nation. Contrary to the perception of constant ideological opposition, history records several moments of mutual respect between Gandhiji and the RSS. Gandhiji first visited an RSS shakha in Wardha in 1934, where he observed the discipline and unity of the Swayamsevaks. Later, in September 1947—at the height of Partition violence—he visited another shakha in Delhi. There, he openly praised the RSS workers for their remarkable discipline and the complete absence of divisive feelings based on caste or creed, an observation he documented in his weekly publication Harijan.

The RSS, in turn, showed deep respect for Gandhiji. Following his assassination in 1948, the organization included Gandhiji in its morning remembrance chants (Pratah Smaraniya). In an unprecedented gesture, all RSS shakhas across the country suspended activities for 13 days as a mark of mourning. These actions reflected an acknowledgment of Gandhiji’s moral leadership, even amid ideological differences, and underscored a shared commitment to the nation’s unity and progress.

Contribution Since Before Independence

From assisting refugees during the Partition in 1947, to rebuilding villages after earthquakes, to providing relief in cyclones and floods, RSS swayamsevaks have been first responders in countless crises. Their work often goes unpublicised, but it remains an enduring testament to their commitment.

Hinduism and the Management of Diversity

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has often pointed out that Hinduism, by its very nature, knows how to manage diversity – a message the world needs in an age of increasing polarisation. This inclusive vision is far from the “divisive” label its critics try to pin on it. In fact, the Sangh’s guiding principle is that of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – the world is one family.

Why Congress’s Remarks Miss the Mark

Congress’s repeated attacks on the RSS reveal more about political insecurities than about the organisation itself. By habitually linking Modiji and the RSS, they attempt to delegitimize both in the public mind. But the reality is clear – the RSS is not a political party, nor does it run the BJP from behind the scenes. It is a volunteer-based socio-cultural organisation whose influence comes not from coercion or electoral power, but from its ability to mobilise people for service.

The attempt to vilify the RSS ignores its century-long record of nation-building, disaster relief, interfaith engagement, and cultural preservation. Moreover, it disregards the organisation’s proven ability to adapt and respond to modern challenges while staying rooted in timeless values.

Conclusion

For over 100 years, the RSS has been quietly shaping India’s civic life, instilling discipline, unity, and service-mindedness in millions. Its role in fostering dialogue across communities, aiding people of all faiths, and contributing to national resilience cannot be erased by political mudslinging. Narendra Modi’s journey from an RSS pracharak to prime minister is a testament to the values of dedication and service the organisation imparts.

Congress’s reflexive criticism of the RSS – and by extension Modiji – not only distorts history but also disrespects the work of countless ordinary swayamsevaks who have given their lives to the nation’s cause. Facts, not political prejudice, should guide our understanding of the RSS’s place in India’s story.

Sources:

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