New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for completing 100 years of its foundation, calling the organisation’s century-long journey “unprecedented” and “inspiring.” Speaking during the 126th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi said the RSS has consistently upheld the principle of “nation first” in all its endeavours.
“This Vijayadashami is special for another reason,” PM Modi said. “This day marks 100 years of the foundation of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. This journey of a century is as amazing and unprecedented as it is inspiring.”
Founded on Vijayadashami in 1925 by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the RSS was formed at a time when India was still under British colonial rule. Reflecting on that era, the Prime Minister said, “This centuries-long slavery had deeply hurt our self-respect and self-confidence. The world’s oldest civilisation was being made to face an identity crisis.”
PM Modi highlighted the ideological roots of the RSS, emphasizing that its founding was not only about national independence but also about intellectual and cultural resurgence. “Along with the country’s independence, it was also important that the country be freed from intellectual slavery,” he remarked.
Paying homage to key figures in the RSS’s history, the Prime Minister recalled the contributions of M.S. Golwalkar, known as ‘Guruji’, who succeeded Dr. Hedgewar in leading the organisation. He cited Guruji’s words: “Rashtraya Swaha, Idam Rashtraya Idam Na Mam” — meaning “This is not mine, this belongs to the nation” — as a guiding principle that has inspired generations of RSS volunteers.
“This spirit of sacrifice, service, and the discipline it teaches is the true strength of the Sangh,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister also praised the organisation’s role in relief and rescue efforts, noting that RSS volunteers are often among the first responders in times of natural disasters. “That is why we see, whenever a natural disaster strikes anywhere in the country, RSS volunteers are the first to reach there,” he stated.
Concluding his remarks, PM Modi extended his best wishes to all RSS volunteers on the organisation’s centenary. “I extend my best wishes to every volunteer who is dedicating themselves to this great yagya of service to the nation,” he said.
The RSS, which describes itself as a cultural and nationalist organisation, has been both influential and controversial in Indian politics, often seen as the ideological parent of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
As the Sangh marks a century of existence, PM Modi’s acknowledgment underscores its enduring presence in India’s socio-political landscape.
