Mohan Bhagwat: RSS Isn’t Defined by BJP, He Says
Mohan Bhagwat: RSS Isn’t Defined by BJP, He Says
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat cautions against viewing the Sangh through the BJP lens, stressing its broader mission during centenary events in West Bengal.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat warned that understanding the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh through the BJP lens is a huge mistake. He stressed that the Sangh cannot be understood simply as a political entity or just another service organisation, and cautioned that comparisons can lead to misunderstandings.
Speaking at the RSS ‘100 Vyakhyan Mala’ programme in Kolkata, Bhagwat emphasized the need to judge the Sangh on its own terms, arguing that relying on political narratives alone does a disservice to the organisation’s long history and broader social objectives.
Earlier, in Siliguri, West Bengal, Bhagwat addressed a youth conference organized as part of the RSS centenary celebrations. The day highlighted the reach of the movement across North Bengal, with participants from eight districts and neighbouring Sikkim. The programme capped with a convocation-like sentiment among citizens from varied backgrounds, mirroring the Sangh’s stated aim of inclusive civic engagement.
The centenary celebrations also featured a Prabuddha Nagarik Sammelan at Uttar Banga Marwari Bhavan in Siliguri, drawing senior citizens, retired officials, academicians, doctors, advocates, artists, and other prominent citizens. Bhagwat’s remarks during these events centered on moving beyond party politics to understand the Sangh’s role in safeguarding cultural and social continuity.
Taken together, his comments signal an effort to reposition the RSS as a long-standing socio-cultural and civic organization, distinct from any single political party, while still acknowledging its influence within Indian public life.
