Anguish Over Atrocities On Hindus In Bangladesh Unprecedented: RSS Chief
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Nagpur: Ahead of the
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
(
RSS
) centenary, Sarsanghchalak (chief) Dr Mohan Bhagwat termed recent atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh unprecedented and stressed that only a strong Hindu society can ensure dignity and safety for Hindus globally.
In a detailed in-house conversation following the March 2025 Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, Bhagwat the RSS chief shed light on the path the Sangh travelled over the last 100 years. Excerpts from the interview:
Q: Hindus have been facing exploitation in neighbouring countries, with violence inflicted on them. Do global human rights defenders care?
Someone will worry about Hindus only when Hindus are strong enough.
A strong Hindu society can lead and include those in Bharat who don't identify as Hindus, but once were. If Bharat's Hindu society becomes strong, Hindus globally gain strength. This process is ongoing, though not complete.
The anguish over atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh is unprecedented. Local Hindus now say: "We won't flee. We'll stay and fight for our rights."
Wherever Hindus are, we'll do everything possible for them under international norms.
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Sangh exists for this. Swayamsevaks take oath to work for the development of Hindu Rashtra by protecting Dharma, sanskriti, and society.
Q: What is the Sangh's vision regarding national security, military strength, and economic power?
We must strive for strength. As we pray in daily prarthana: "Ajayyaṁ cha viśvasya dehīśa śaktim" (Grant us such a strength that globally we are invincible). True strength is internal.
For national security, we must not depend on others. We must be able to defend ourselves, even if multiple powers unite.
Brute power without righteousness leads to violence. We must seek both virtues and strength for protecting the good and destroying the wicked. We don't seek domination in world trade. Seeing evil on our borders, we have no option but to be powerful.
Q: Despite rapid expansion, how has the Sangh ensured quality in swayamsevak training and work?
Quantitative and qualitative growth must go hand in hand.
We develop individuals based on their temperament and help them integrate into collective work. There's flexibility, but also a clear path of transformation.
There's a story from our early years. A new karyakarta from a socialist background, who was a chain-smoker, joined a training camp where even betel nuts weren't allowed. He was clearly uncomfortable. At night, organising secretary took him out for a walk and allowed him to smoke outside the premises.
That same person eventually became a dedicated karyakarta and later quit smoking. This kind of affectionate transformation is key to our strength.
We accept people as they are and help them grow into what they can become.
Q: How does the Sangh approach change while remaining rooted in Hedgewar and Guruji's ideology?
The core thoughts of Dr Hedgewar, MS Golwalkar (Guruji), and Balasaheb (Deoras) are deeply rooted in our eternal culture.
But our functioning evolves with time. There is no room in the Sangh for personality-driven blind imitation or rigid scripture-bound rules. We may take inspiration and follow the direction given by great personalities, but in every desh-kaal-paristhiti (time and situation), we must carve our own path.
What is eternal remains unchanged. For example, as Balasaheb said, "Hindustan is a Hindu Rashtra." Apart from this, everything else in the Sangh is transient.
The entire Hindu society is the custodian of this nation. The nature and sanskriti of this country is Hindu. Therefore, this is a Hindu Rashtra.
"Hindu" is defined broadly to preserve fundamentals and adapt as needed. There is room for disagreement within the Sangh. Once consensus is built, all members work in unity, setting aside individual views.
Q: With societal changes, is the shakha model still relevant?
Absolutely.
The external format may evolve, but the core idea of shakha — coming together daily to reaffirm our commitment to Bharat Mata's paramvaibhav (supreme glory) — is irreplaceable.
Ordinary individuals achieve extraordinary things when they're part of a collective. The environment of a shakha builds virtues through proximity and example. People are more influenced by peers than distant icons.
Every decade we reflect on alternatives to shakha.
I've attended 6–7 such discussions. So far, no viable replacement has been found. In fact, even people from advanced countries are studying our shakha model.
Q: How is Sangh's work expanding in Vanavasi (tribal) areas?
Our primary aim in the forest areas is to empower tribal people and serve Janjatiya communities from within. Shakhas are expanding in tribal regions, including the Northeast. We're also working to revive awareness about their traditions, icons, and contributions to the freedom movement.
Q: How does the Sangh promote inclusivity amid Bharat's diversity?
Visit any shakha — you'll see people from all regions, languages, and backgrounds working together joyfully. Sangh songs exist in many languages.
Q: The Sangh talks and works for samarasta (social harmony), but some people speak for equality. How do you differentiate the two?
Equality is economic and political; we strive for social equality. Equality without freedom brings restrictions and if it has to be sustainable, then the basis of fraternity is inevitable.
This sense of Brotherhood is samarasta. Laws can't erase casteism from the mind. Samarasta is the conviction that all are ours. Even if we differ, we belong to each other.
Q: The Sangh often faces questions about women's participation. What is your response?
In 1933, it was decided that the work of personality development and social organisation among women would be done by Rashtra Sevika Samiti. It continues to function effectively. Whenever Samiti expects Sangh to work among women (for the shakha work), then only we will think about it. RSS shakha format is designed for men, but women observe and attend freely. Women work with swayamsevaks in various organisations, have representation in Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha.
Women will empower themselves; we support their transformation.
As the RSS approaches its centenary on Vijayadashami 2025, its core mission — protecting dharma, fostering unity, and building a strong Bharat — remains steadfast.
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