Modi Hails RSS’ role in nation-building, says it showed no bitterness despite attacks
DH NEWS SERVICE
New Delhi, Oct 1
To mark the completion of 100 years of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (October 1, 2025) released a specially designed commemorative postage stamp and coin highlighting the Sangh’s contributions to the nation. Terming RSS as the embodiment of ‘timeless national consciousness’, he said in the mission of building a developed India by 2047, the contribution of the Sangh will be crucial.
The ?100 coin, released by the PM at Delhi’s Ambedkar International Centre, features the national emblem on one side and an image of ‘Bharat Mata’ in ‘Varad Mudra’ (hand position representing giving or granting blessings), with a lion, being saluted by swayamsevaks, on the other. Speaking on the occasion, PM highlighted that this is possibly the first time in independent India’s history that Bharat Mata’s image has appeared on Indian currency. He added that the coin also bears the Sangh’s guiding motto: “Rashtraya Swaha, Idam Rashtraya, Idam Na Mama.”
Lauding RSS, PM said that a hundred years ago, on the sacred occasion of Vijayadashami, the Sangh was founded. He said that it was not the creation of something entirely new. It was a newer manifestation of an ancient tradition, where India’s eternal national consciousness expresses itself periodically, in different forms, to face the challenges of the times, he added.
“In our times, the Sangh is the embodiment of that timeless national consciousness. It is the good fortune of our generation of swayamsevaks that we are witnessing the Sangh’s centenary,” said PM.
Hailing Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the founder of the RSS, Mr Modi detailed how Mr Hedgewar and many swayamsevaks actively participated in the freedom struggle and were even jailed in their fight for the nation. He said that Sangh also provided support and protection to many freedom fighters.
PM Modi also pointed out the ‘conspiracies’ which were planted to defame the Sangh and recalled how the second Sarsanghchalak, Madhav Sadashivrao Golwalkar, was falsely implicated in a case and even imprisoned.
“But the Sangh never allowed bitterness to take root. Swayamsevaks believe that we are not separate from society. Society is formed of us. This feeling of oneness with society and unshakable faith in the Constitution and constitutional institutions gave the swayamsevaks steadiness of mind and kept them sensitive towards society, even in the gravest crises,” PM said.
From coming forward to help refugees after partition to standing with the nation in every crisis even with limited resources, PM said that swayamsevaks are among the first responders and work at the frontline. Extending his greetings to the RSS volunteers, who remain dedicated to the pledge of serving the nation and its people, PM said that the Sangh, from its very inception, has devoted itself to nation-building. To achieve this, it chose the path of character-building.
“Vyakti nirmaan se rashtra nirmaan (nation-building through character-building) has been the Sangh’s path. For this, it created a unique, simple and enduring mechanism of the daily shakha. The shakha is an inspiring place where every swayamsevak begins his journey from ‘Me to We’ and goes through a process of personal transformation,” PM added.
Drawing a parallel between the RSS and a river which nourishing every region it passes through, PM said that Sangh’s journey mirrors this, with its various affiliated organizations engaging in national service across all facets of life—education, agriculture, social welfare, tribal upliftment, women empowerment, arts and sciences, and the labour sector.
“Though diverse in their fields of work, they all embody one spirit and one resolve that is Nation First” said PM.
He highlighted how Sangh’s affiliates like Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Sewa Bharti, Vidya Bharti, Ekal Vidyalayas that are working in the most remote, inaccessible parts of the country and are preserving and nurturing the traditions, customs, and values of tribal communities. PM also stressed on RSS’s call to fight social evils like caste discrimination, untouchability. He also echoed similar message that of Mr Bhagwat who in his multiple speeches has called for ‘one well, one temple, one cremation ground’ for everyone to keep the society united.
With India advancing towards becoming a developed nation, PM said that the challenges infront of the nation are now new which including dependence on foreign countries, conspiracies to divide India’s unity, demographic changes through infiltration etc.
“Our government is actively countering these. I am glad that the RSS too has prepared a concrete roadmap to face them. The Panch Parivartan of the Sangh gives every swayamsevak the path to overcome today’s challenges,” said PM.
The Panch Parivartan (five changes) is a framework coined by the RSS for nation building in the years to come. The five points includes creating self-awareness among people, creating social harmony by prioritising marginalised, instilling social and cultural values in family and civic sense among masses along with Safeguarding the environment.
“Guided by these resolutions, the Sangh now begins its journey into its next century. In the mission of building a developed India by 2047, the contribution of the Sangh will be crucial. Once again, my best wishes to every swayamsevak,” PM added.
RSS is completing 100 years on the occasion of Vijayadashmi falling on October 02, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will deliver his keynote address on the occasion, in which former President Ram Nath Kovind will be the chief guest.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the RSS on its centenary celebrations, and said the organisation never displayed any bitterness despite several attacks on it as it continued to work on the principle of nation first.
Participating in the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) here, Modi highlighted the contribution of the Sangh in nation-building and said it reached every corner of the country with the goal of fostering harmony by removing divisions of caste or creed and spreading the message of an inclusive society.
“The Sangh has fought against the atrocities of the British. Their only interest has always been love towards the nation,” Modi said, adding that Sangh volunteers gave shelter to freedom fighters and its leaders were also jailed during the freedom struggle.
The prime minister said there have been numerous attempts to crush the spirit of the RSS by levelling allegations and registering false cases.
“The RSS has never been bitter, despite attempts to make false cases against them, attempts to ban them, and other challenges, because we are part of society where we accept both the good and the bad,” he said, in an apparent reference to the ban on the RSS after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.
Modi said even the then RSS chief Madhav Golwalkar was falsely implicated in a case and sent to jail.
“Yet, when he came out, he said with calm wisdom: ‘At times, the tongue may get caught under the teeth, but we do not break teeth’,” the prime minister said.
He said every ‘swayamsevak’ has unflinching trust in democracy and constitutional institutions, which gave them strength when faced with challenges.
“When Emergency was imposed, this trust gave strength to every swayamsevak to face it,” he said.
The prime minister also released a special postage stamp and a commemorative coin to mark the centenary of the RSS.
“The Rs 100 coin features the national emblem on one side and on the other side it depicts a majestic image of Bharat Mata in Varada Mudra with a lion, while swayamsevaks are shown bowing before her in devotion and dedication,” Modi said.
“For the first time in the history of independent India the image of Bharat Mata has been featured on Indian currency which marks a moment of great pride and historical significance,” he said.
The prime minister said the foundation of RSS on Vijaya Dashmi 100 years ago was not just a coincidence, it was the resurrection of a tradition which has been continuing for thousands of years.
“The Sangh has been synonymous with patriotism and service since its inception,” he said.
Modi asserted that the RSS believes in ‘One India, Great India’ yet post-Independence attempts were made to prevent it from joining the national mainstream “Unity in diversity has always been the soul of India, if this principle is broken then India will weaken. Despite challenges, the RSS stands strong and is tirelessly serving the nation,” he added.
The centenary celebrations were organised by the Ministry of Culture and attended by RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Founded in 1925 in Nagpur by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the RSS was established as a volunteer-based organisation with an aim to foster cultural awareness, discipline, service and social responsibility among citizens.
Modi was himself an RSS ‘pracharak’ and made a mark as an able organiser before being shifted to the BJP, which draws its ideological inspiration from the Hindutva organisation. (Agencies)
