RSS Society Supports Drives Its 100-Year-Strong Journey
Newz Daddy Political Updates
Dattatreya Hosabale, Sarkaryavah, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The work of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has now completed 100 years. In this long journey, many people have helped and joined hands. The journey was not always easy and had many challenges, but the support of ordinary people was a positive strength. As we think during this centenary year, we remember the many moments and people who gave their lives fully for this mission.
RSS was founded on September 27, 1925, by Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur. Over the decades, its membership and activities grew. Ordinary people (farmers, teachers, small business owners) often support RSS work by donating time, helping in local shakhas (meetings), and helping during disasters. The centenary (100-year) celebrations are being done across many states, showing how widespread the support has become.
In the beginning, young workers moved across the country with full patriotism, like warriors, to spread the Sangh’s work. Some were household workers like Appaji Joshi, and others were pracharaks like Dadarav Paramarth, Balasaheb and Bhaurao Deoras, Yadavarav Joshi, and Eknath Ranade. They worked closely with Dr Hedgewar, the founder, and lived their lives with the mission of national service.
Many early workers (pracharaks) lived simply, travelled on foot or by train, often through remote places. Their work included waking people up to social issues, teaching discipline and values. Eknath Ranade later became well known for helping build the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and working for many social causes. The Deoras family (Balasaheb and Bhaurao) played big roles in growing RSS and shaping its training and organisation.
The Sangh’s work grew because of continuous support from society. The work matched the feelings of common people, so its acceptance slowly increased in society. Once, Swami Vivekananda was asked during his foreign tour, “Most of your countrymen are illiterate, they don’t know English. So how will your big ideas reach them?” Swamiji answered, “Just like ants find sugar without learning English, the people of my country will also understand any noble work because of their inner spiritual knowledge. They will quietly reach it.” His words proved true. In the same way, RSS’s noble work slowly received acceptance and support from common people.
This kind of connection means people see RSS work in their daily life (health camps, education, relief during floods, etc.) When people see good effects, they join or stop criticising. That builds trust. Spiritual or moral messages often cross language or education barriers, so many people respond even without formal education.
From the start, the Sangh’s work has received blessings and shelter from many families. Families of swayamsevaks were always at the centre of this work. The help of mothers, sisters, and daughters gave completeness to the mission. Inspired leaders like Dattopant Thengadi, Yashwantrao Kelkar, Balasaheb Deshpande, Eknath Ranade, Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Dadasaheb Apte worked in many fields of society to build organisations. Today, these organisations are active and bringing positive changes in many areas. Among women, the Rashtra Sevika Samiti under Mousiji Kelkar and later leaders like Pramilatai Medhe played very important roles.
Rashtra Sevika Samiti is the women’s wing that works alongside RSS, running programs for women, social welfare, etc Deendayal Upadhyaya’s ideas like “Integral Humanism” influenced RSS and its affiliated groups to work in education, rural development. Dattopant Thengadi founded other organisations too (like Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, etc.) to help workers. These groups helped RSS reach into more parts of society.
From time to time, the Sangh raised many national issues. Different sections of society supported them, even those who sometimes appeared to be critics. The effort was always to gather everyone’s support on broad Hindu interests. For national unity, security, social harmony, democracy, and protection of culture, countless swayamsevaks faced struggles and many even gave their lives. Society’s strength was always there with them.
RSS has often spoken about topics like cow protection, Ram Janmabhoomi, and social harmony, which many people care about. During disasters or riots, many RSS volunteers help with relief work, rescue operations, etc. This builds public goodwill. The idea of sacrifice (giving up comfort or time) is shown by many swayamsevaks over the years.
In 1981, in Meenakshipuram (Tamil Nadu), some Hindus were converted to another religion after spreading rumours. In response, a huge Hindu awakening movement was started, and a rally of almost five lakh people was organised. Senior Congress leader Dr Karan Singh chaired that meeting. In 1964, the Vishva Hindu Parishad was formed with the participation of Swami Chinmayananda, Master Tara Singh, Jain Muni Sushilkumar, Buddhist monk Kushok Bakula, and Namdhari Sikh guru Jagjit Singh. To show that untouchability has no place in Hindu scriptures, a big Hindu conference was held at Udupi by Guruji Golwalkar, with blessings from many saints. At Prayag, saints passed the resolution, “Na Hindu: Patito Bhavet”, and the slogan was, “Hindavah Sodarah Sarve” (All Hindus are children of Bharat Mata). Be it the cow protection issue or the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, saints always gave their blessings to swayamsevaks.
Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) was founded in 1964 as a social and cultural organisation. It works in many parts of India. Meenakshipuram is a case much discussed: conversion became a public issue and led to debates on religious freedom. The issue of untouchability being rejected shows that RSS and associated organisations have pushed for social equality.
After independence, the government banned RSS due to political reasons. At that time, common people and many respected personalities stood with the Sangh. The same thing was seen during the Emergency period. Because of this public support, despite so many obstacles, the work of the Sangh continued without stopping. In all these times, mothers, sisters, and daughters took the responsibility to protect and support swayamsevaks. These stories remain a source of inspiration for the Sangh.
RSS was banned a few times, for example, after Mahatma Gandhi’s murder in 1948, but over time, courts and society allowed it again. During the 1975-77 Emergency in India, RSS was under pressure; many volunteers faced arrests, but public support helped sustain morale. Families often sheltered or supported swayamsevaks who were under threat or needed help during bans.
Looking to the future, swayamsevaks want to involve all sections of society in the nation’s service. During this centenary year, a special effort will be made to reach every household. From big cities to remote villages, the goal is to connect with every group in society. With the united effort of all good forces, the next journey of national development will become smooth and successful.
RSS has been increasing its shakha (local meeting) network; recent reports say there are tens of thousands of shakhas, even in remote rural areas. They plan to start more service work (education, health, relief) to show practical help to people. The idea is that with many people working together, development will reach every part of India.
