Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday dismissed perceptions that the Sangh operates as a paramilitary organisation, asserting that its mission is rooted in social unity and national resilience rather than militaristic activity. Speaking before a gathering of prominent personalities, he said the organisation’s uniformed drills and physical exercises should not be mistaken for armed preparedness.
“We wear a uniform, take out marches and do stick exercises. If someone thinks it is a paramilitary organisation, it will be a mistake,” Bhagwat said, describing the RSS as a unique institution often misrepresented in public discourse. He stressed that misconceptions have arisen from superficial understanding and reliance on secondary sources, urging people to refer to reliable historical records to appreciate the organisation’s purpose.
Bhagwat outlined the RSS’s objective as building virtues and qualities in society to safeguard India from recurring foreign domination. He dismissed the notion that the Sangh was founded as a reactionary body, asserting it neither opposes nor competes with other forces. “There is a common feeling that the Sangh was born as a reaction or opposition. This is not the case,” he said, emphasizing the proactive, constructive nature of the organisation.
Reflecting on India’s history, Bhagwat highlighted repeated invasions by foreign powers, noting that even invaders who were materially and morally “inferior” to Indians succeeded in subjugating the country. He framed this as a cautionary lesson, stressing the need for self-awareness and societal unity to secure lasting national independence. “If the society stands united with virtues and qualities, this country’s fate will change for good,” he said, underscoring moral cohesion as a key to India’s future.
