RSS turns 100: From small shakhas to larger national influence

Mumbai: On the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami — September 27, 1925, Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, popularly known as Doctorji, told a small gathering in Nagpur — “We are inaugurating Sangh today, all of us must train ourselves physically, intellectually and in every way so as to be capable of achieving our cherished goal.”

Incidentally Nagpur is considered the geographical centre of India.

Few months later on April 17, 1926, the name Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) came into being - and soon shakhas started coming up.

In 2025, the RSS, from a small group of volunteers - a century ago - has grown up to a big national organisation popularly called Sangh Parivar with international presence.

Dr Hedgewar was the first sarsanghchalak - presiding over the activities for around 14 years, from September 27, 1925 till his death June 21, 1940 followed by Madhav Sadashivrao Golwalkar, popularly known as Guruji from June 21, 1940 to June 5, 1973, around 32 years.

Doctorji and Guruji shaped up the ideology and the thought process of the RSS and the larger Sangh Parivar.

The five other RSS chiefs are Madhukar Dattatraya Deoras, popularly known as Balasaheb Deoras, Dr Rajendra Singh, fondly called Rajju Bhaiyya, following by Kuppahalli Sitaramayya Sudarshan and current incumbent Dr Mohan Bhagwat.

With just a gathering of 17 persons in 1925, RSS has over 80,000 daily shakhas and lakhs and lakhs of members.

Over the decades, the RSS - the ideological fountainhead of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and now Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — has played a central role in shaping India’s socio-political landscape.

For this Vijayadashami on October 2, 2025 the RSS has invited former President Ram Nath Kovind as the chief guest.

The centenary celebrations will set the future course of the RSS, one of the largest socio-cultural organisations of the world.

In fact, Dr Bhagwat, in the last Vijayadashami address on October 12, 2024, had revealed what the future holds - speed up development of Bharat, arrest erosion of values, harmony and goodwill, national security, global peace, environment.

In the century’s time, the RSS had been in the spotlight for its ideological positions on nationalism, culture, and identity.

The RSS identifies itself as a cultural organisation, with a stated goal of promoting discipline, character building, and national pride. However, its critics argue that the Sangh’s vision of cultural nationalism has at times led to polarisation.

The organisation’s reach expanded significantly in post-independence India, especially through a network of 50-plus affiliated bodies and organisations - Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Seva Bharti, Swadeshi Jagran Manch, Rashtra Sevika Samiti.

“The RSS continues its grassroots activities — from relief work during natural disasters to educational initiatives in rural areas. This is evidence of its commitment to nation-building beyond politics,” said Dilip Deodhar, a Nagpur-based RSS researcher.

Dr Bhagwat, in recent speeches, has emphasised that the centenary is not merely a celebration of the past but an opportunity to re-dedicate ourselves to the service of society and the nation.

As the RSS steps into its second century, questions remain about its evolving role. Supporters see it as an organisation dedicated to instilling national pride, cultural nationalism, discipline, and social service. Critics warn that its emphasis on cultural nationalism may not align with India’s pluralistic ethos and modern times.

Some of the goals that have been achieved are building up of a grand temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu & Kashmir, ban on Triple Talaq, cow protection and anti slaughter laws, promotion of Hindutva oriented cultural identity.

What remains unfulfilled is creation of Akhand Bharat, total social harmony and Uniform Civil Code.

As the Sangh Parivar enters its second century, its role in India’s evolving democracy will remain a subject of both support and scrutiny.