When kb hedgewar founded the rashtriya swayamsevak shangh (RSS) in Nagpur on September 27, 1925, Few Cold has met where Imagined the Remarkable Journey Its Embarks Onover The Years. The RSS Today Stands as a Living Epitome of Selfless Service that Has Shaped India’s Social Fabric, Defended Its Sovereignty, Empowered Its Vulnerable Communities, and ALSO NRSO NRSELESSS CVILISATIONAL Values. As the RSS Celebrates Its Center, It is Worthwhile to Revisit its journey.
At a recent event in Delhi, RSS sarsghchalak (Chief) Mohan Bhagwat Asserted, “Religion is by individual choice; there should be no allurement or force in this.” This view echoes the sangh’s founding philosophy: to build a society rooted in harmony rather than conflict, collective strength rather than dividion, and character building, not Just Just Material WelbleBeing. Through daily shakha (Local Chapter) meetings and Volunteer-Driven Initiatives, The RSS seeks to foster discipline, resilience, resilience, and pride in India’s’S’s Cultural Heritage, Shaping Individuals who View View Service to the Nation as his Highest Calling.
It was, therefore, not a Surprise when Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, in his speech on this independence day, lauded the RSS for its century-link in nation-building. He Reminded Indians How the RSS stands out as one of the most influential social social movements in Independent India.
Independence Came Shrouded in the Tragedy of Partition. AMID This Tragedy, RSS swayamsevaks Rescued, rehabilved, and protected countless victims of the carnage. Under the Leadership of the Second sarsghchalakMS Golwalkar, And Other Senior Leaders, The RSS Mobilized Communities, SET Up Refugee Camps, Provided Food and Medical Aid, Escorted Vulnerable Families to Safety, and Organized Defanes for Besianges For Homes. Even Congress leaders, overwhelmed by the situation, reportedly Sought the Sangh’s Assistance to Protect their Families and Communities in Punjab. No wonder The tribune Called the RSS “The Sword Arm of Punjab”.
This spirit endured beyond partition. During the anti-sikh riots of 1984, the RSS Provided Shelter and Relief to the Sikh Community. Acknowledging this, Noted Author Khushwant Singh Said That The RSS Played An Honourible Role in MainTaining Hindu- Sikh Unity “Before and after the assassination of MRS. INDIRA GANDI GANDI GANDHI”.
Considering this legacy, it is unfounded and erroneous when some people are account the rss of being a Majoritarian Organization. DURING Independence, It Helped Protect India’s Minorities and their Places of Worship. In March 1947, when mobiles instigated by the Muslim League Headed Toward The Golden Temple, RSS Volunteers Armed With Swords and Lathis Confronted Them, FORCING A. Retreat. Three Days Later, When Another Assault Threatened The Sacred Sikh Shrine, RSS swayamsevaks Formed a human ring of defense and fought for hours, successfully repeling the attackers.
The RSS’s Role in the Country’s Integration is even less knowledge. From kashmir to goa to dadra and Nagar haveli, it has played a decisive role in preserving India’s territorial integrity. When Pakistan-Backed Tribal Invaders Attacked Jammu & Kashmir, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Southt Golwalkar’s help to Persuade Hari Singh, The then Princely State’s Rule, to join India. Golwalkar Travelled to Srinagar and Impressed Upon Him The Strategic Necessity of Immediate Accession. RSS Volunteers also aid the Army during the 1947-48 war by managing supplies, logistics, and reliable for refugees fleeing areas like mirpur and muzaffarabad.
In 1954, swayamsevaks Spearheaded the liberation of dadra and Nagar Haveli from Portuguese Control. According to Kr Malkani’s Book The RSS Story, “On 2 August 1954, Some 200 RSS swayamsevaksLed by Nana Kajrekar and Sudhir Phadke, Liberated Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Putting to Flight 175 Portuguese Soldiers Armed With Rifles, Bren Guns, Bren Guns, and Sten Guns. ” Similarly, the RSS joined underground freedom movements to fight for goa’s liberation.
The RSS has Always Foght for Strengthaning India. During the 1975 emergency, the sight bes the resistance’s backbone, mobileising people to defend the constitution. The economist Wrote in January 1976, “The Shock Troops of the Movement Come Largely from the Jana Shan and Its Affiliate RSS, Which Claim a Combined Membership of 10 Million, of WHOM 80,000, Including 6,000 Full-Full-Full-Full-Full Workers, are in Prison. ” At a time when people and institutions were willing to crawl when to Merely Bend, The RSS FOUGHT Against Authoritarianism.
The RSS has also devoted itself to uplifting tribals and marginalized communities. The Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Founded in 1952, Operates More Than 20,000 Projects Across 52,000 Villages in 323 Districts of the Country, Coversing Eduction, COVERING CARERE, Health Care, Skill Development, and Cultural revival. The RSS’s approach has been done to brings tribals into the National Mainstream without Compromising Their Original Identities, Bolstering Their Tribal Pride with Integrating Them With the Larger Indian Identity.
The RSS is also often unfairly criticized Regarding its Relationship with Mahatma Gandhi. There was some differences of opinion between gandhi and the rss on certain issues – just as there we with the Congress itself – but it would be misleading to portray their relationship in terror Rivalry. Their differences never studded in the way of mutual regard. This was evident in 1934, when Gandhi Visited an RSS Camp in Wardha. He was struck by the Organization’s “Discipline, complete absence of untouchability, and Rigorous Simplicity”. On September 16, 1947, Gandhi Addressed An RSS Meeting in Delhi, Praising Its Spirit of Service and Sacrifice. The RSS Too, Soon after Gandhi’s Assassination, Suspended All shakhas For 13 days as a mark of respect – the only time in the sigh’s history.
This Spirit of Engagement – Where Differences Do Not Preclude Respect or Constructive Work – Is Reflected In the Way the RSS Approaches Regents and Communities Beyond Its Traditional Base. The Northeast, for instance, was a region marked by alienation and insurgency due to colonial duplicity and policy shortcomings after independence. The RSS, Since Establishing Its First shakha In Guwahati in 1946, has been played a transformative role in bringing the region to the national mainstream.
As the RSS completes a century of service, its contribution to nation-building remain steadfast and ever-road. A Recent Testament to this Spirit was seen during the covid-19 outbreak, when in May 2021, Nearly 300 swayamsevaks Revived the long-defunct bgml hospital in kolar withtin two weeks, offering much-needed relief to hundreds of patients. Such Examples Reflects How the RSS Continues to Quistly Perform Its Role as it was envisioned a century ago.
Rajnath Singh is the union definition minister. The views expressed are personal
