Nagpur: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday said that despite its uniform, marches and physical drills, the Sangh should not be viewed as a paramilitary organisation, cautioning that it would also be a serious mistake to understand the RSS by equating it with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Addressing a gathering of prominent citizens, Bhagwat said the RSS works to unite society and instil values that ensure India never again falls under foreign domination. He stressed that the organisation is unique in nature and cannot be interpreted through comparisons with political or affiliated bodies.
“We wear a uniform, conduct marches and practise stick exercises. But if someone assumes this makes the Sangh a paramilitary organisation, that understanding is incorrect,” he said. Bhagwat added that attempting to comprehend the RSS through the BJP or even Vidya Bharti, an RSS-affiliated educational organisation, would lead to flawed conclusions.
The RSS chief also referred to what he described as a “false narrative” being created around the Sangh. He said many people rely on superficial sources of information rather than studying the organisation in depth. According to him, authentic and reliable sources provide a clearer understanding of the RSS’s ideology, history and functioning.
Bhagwat said the Sangh focuses on grooming swayamsevaks by inculcating values, discipline and a shared national vision, but does not control individuals or institutions through command or pressure. He emphasised that the RSS is not a reactionary force and does not exist in opposition to any group, nor does it compete with anyone.
Reflecting on India’s history, Bhagwat said foreign invasions occurred repeatedly because of internal weaknesses rather than the strength of invaders. He argued that political independence alone is not enough, asserting that remnants of “mental slavery” still persist and must be overcome through self-awareness and unity.
He urged people to take pride in Indian culture, traditions, food and devotional practices, while strongly advocating the use of Swadeshi products. According to him, self-reliance can only be achieved through self-respect, though this does not mean cutting off global trade. He said imports should be limited to essential goods not produced domestically and should never be driven by external pressure.
Bhagwat also noted that the RSS does not depend on external funding and has achieved financial stability despite facing severe opposition over the past century, including bans, attacks and sustained pressure both before and after Independence.
Concluding his address, the RSS chief invited people to visit a Sangh shakha to understand the organisation directly rather than relying on perceptions. “Some things can only be understood through experience,” he said, likening it to tasting sugar instead of listening to explanations about its sweetness.
