100 Years of Steel in Saffron: The Unseen Hand of RSS in India's Rise
VK Bahuguna
March 17, 2026
(The writer is former IFS officer and Chairman of Centre for Resource Management and Environment)
The Rashtriya Swaymsevak Sangh (RSS) established in 1925 by Dr Keshab Baliram Hedgewar is now celebrating its centenary and in the process the RSS Chief Sri Mohan Bhagwat had during last two months had visited different part of the country and is engaged in reaching out to different sections of the society. This outreach is essential considering the fact that RSS today stand at a historic vintage point, because what began in 1925 as a small gathering of volunteers has evolved into a vast canopy of social, political and cultural influence spread over more than 73100 Sakhas across the country and still growing in numbers. The RSS Chief’s dialogues with cross sections of people attract public attention because it has become the world’s largest non-governmental organization and fountainhead of Indian cultural nationalism. Its influence stretches across India’s social, cultural, educational and political landscapes and hence in modern India the organization remains in intense debate. While it is frequently viewed through a political lens due to its ideological proximity to the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), its primary contribution to Indian society lies in its sprawling network of social service, education, and disaster relief. However, the RSS Sar Sangh Chalak on more than one occasion had reiterated that his organization’s primary motto is to build the characters of people in an apolitical manner and the RSS volunteers are free to join any political party. Let us discuss what RSS contributed to our country and the world and what changes it needs.
The core philosophy of the RSS is Manav Nirman (making the man). Through the daily Shakha, it emphasizes discipline, physical fitness, and a sense of duty toward the nation rather than the self. One of the most significant contributions of the RSS is in the field of education, specifically through its educational wing, Vidya Bharti. Vidya Bharti operates one of the largest private school networks in India, known as Saraswati Shishu Mandirs. These schools aim to blend modern curriculum with Indian values. They work for reaching out to the Fringe forest villages in tribal areas where state infrastructure often falters, the RSS runs Ekal Vidhyalayas. These schools provide basic literacy and healthcare awareness to millions of children in forest-dwelling communities through its Vanbasi Kalyan Ashram. RSS is the first responder in any natural calamities regardless of one's political stance; the RSS is widely recognized for its efficiency during national crises. When natural disasters strike, Swaymsevaks are often the first on the ground, sometimes arriving before government agencies. A few examples are Orissa cyclone, Bhuj earthquake of 2001, Uttarakhand floods of 2013, Sewa Bharti in 2025 Kashmir floods, and during COVID-19 Pandemic it distributed millions of food packets, managed oxygen help lines, and assisted in cremation services when systems were overwhelmed.
The Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (VKA) founded in 1952 is one of the most successful yet quietest wings of the RSS. Its primary objective is to bridge the gap between "mainstream" urban India and the forest dwellers through educational empowerment as they operate thousands of Hostels for tribal children, allowing them to gain a formal education while staying connected to their roots. Further, in areas where government doctors are scarce, VKA volunteers run mobile dispensaries. They focus heavily on tackling sickle cell anaemia and malaria, which are prevalent in tribal belts. A core work of VKA t is the protection of tribal faith and traditions as tribal identity is an integral part of the broader Hindu cultural fabric and work to prevent what they term "predatory proselytization" by offering social support systems. This writer has been associated with them informally on government affairs observing their work style. Long before the Atmnirbhar Bharat became a govt programme RSS has been promoting campaigning for the consumption of local goods. Sewa Bharti runs over 150,000 service projects across India, ranging from free hospitals and blood banks to vocational training centres for women in urban slums. Many years before Yoga became a global phenomenon, the RSS was promoting it through its daily physical drills. It continues to advocate for the integration of traditional Indian medicine with modern practices. Through the Bhartiya Kisan Sangh, the RSS promotes sustainable, cow-based organic farming techniques to reduce farmers' dependence on expensive chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The Bharat Vikas Parishad is organizing national-level, patriotic competitions for students, promoting Indian culture, supporting the differently-abled, providing health checkups, and executing rural development projects. The contribution of the RSS thus to Indian society is multifaceted. Its definition of "Hindu" is cultural and geographical—encompassing everyone who lives in India and respects its heritage—rather than strictly religious. Its outreach to Muslims is through its Muslim Rashtriya Manch.
RSS in nutshell act as a massive social safety net, and a cultural nationalist catalyst. While its ideological goals remain a point of discussion in the larger context of India’s democratic discourse, its "on-the-ground" impact—from building schools in the tribal areas, to providing relief in the wake of natural disasters is an undeniable part of India's modern history. For the RSS, the goal is not just to change the government, but to change the "national character" through grassroots service. This what is needed today in Indian society.
However, no organization can live on its laurels only and must reflect the aspiration of a changing society. The leadership of the RSS could implement on priority a more stringent scrutiny for new volunteers. Currently, like any other social outfit, the organization risks an influx of opportunistic individuals who join solely for personal gain or political leverage rather than a genuine commitment to the Singh’s core values. This trend is particularly damaging as it fosters a culture that marginalizes the dedicated workers who have long served as the backbone of the movement. To preserve the ideological sanctity of the organization, it is vital to distinguish between those seeking a platform for their own ambitions and those truly dedicated to selfless service. Secondly, frequent dialogues should continue with cross section of society and the all pervasive culture of crony capitalism among power that be need to be banished from India’s political and bureaucratic sphere for which RSS can do a lot as part of its character building core value. Notwithstanding, the fact about its significantly impacting the social and cultural discourse in India, as a constructive reform it could consider in broadening its outlook on leadership and merit. At times, the social organizations and political leaders appear to place disproportionate admiration on elite positions such Administrative Service officers and members of the Judiciary of India, which may unintentionally leave sizeable sections of talents. A more progressive outlook at least in RSS could recognize and promote talent, innovation and excellence across diverse fields. By valuing multiple talents in nation-building rather than primarily focussing on elite roles, the RSS could do a great service in managing the changing aspirations of a dynamic and diverse modern India. Whatever the people perceive RSS’s “raison d’être” continue to be the preservation of cultural identity of Bharat.
(Tripurainfo)
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