Asserting that time has come for India to lead the world on many fronts and become Vishwa Guru, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat, in his speech opening the centenary celebrations of the organisation, also sounded a note of unity today, reiterating that the Sangh, is "not a reactionary organisation".
"Our chief Guruji in the past said even if there are no Muslims or Christians, the RSS will exist because it works for society," he said today at a three-day event in Delhi. He said the other side has also reconciled. "Those who opposed us earlier have become our friends now. We never saw them as opponents even in the past," he said.
The three-day discussions, themed "100 Years of RSS Journey: New Horizons", seek to dispel misconceptions about the organisation and highlight how the Swayamsevaks view themselves.Marking 100 years of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat delivered a powerful address during a special lecture series in the capital, urging India to embrace its spiritual and cultural identity and take up its role as a global guide—or Vishwaguru—for the modern world.
Bhagwat opened his remarks by reflecting on the founding of the RSS in 1925 by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, stating that the vision of such an organisation had germinated in his mind years earlier. “We are celebrating 100 years this year, but the idea took shape before 1925,” he noted. Bhagwat emphasized that the essence of the Sangh is rooted in selfless service to the nation and the Hindu community.
“Anyone who wants to be identified as a Hindu will have to be a responsible citizen of the country. This is a responsible community because we got this identity a long time ago,” he added.Bhagwat reiterated that Hindu culture is about “coordination, not confrontation.” He described a Hindu as “one who follows their own path while respecting the beliefs of others.” He also referred to the cultural unity of India, saying, “The DNA of people living in India for the past 40,000 years is one; it is our culture to live together.”
According to Bhagwat, India’s mission lies not in military or economic dominance, but in spiritual leadership. “The world values India for its adhyatma (spiritual wisdom) and dharma. That is our true strength,” he asserted.Paying tribute to India's revolutionary past, Bhagwat recalled leaders like Savarkar and movements that shaped the pre-independence era. “That wave no longer exists, and is no longer needed, but it was an inspiration to live and die for the country,” he said. He noted that while political movements helped achieve independence, a deeper national consciousness must now take root.
He maintained that RSS's purpose essentially is 'Service' to Bharat.
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