Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Nagpur, hailing the organization’s deep roots in India’s nation-building efforts. During his speech at the RSS centenary event, Modi spotlighted the RSS shakhas—daily gatherings that spark personal growth and build a strong collective spirit.
Modi called these shakha grounds “sacred spaces of inspiration,” where volunteers shift from focusing on “me” to embracing “we.” He explained how shakhas instill courage for national service, promote sacrifice, and encourage teamwork over personal glory. “Just as rivers nourish civilizations along their banks,” Modi said, “the RSS has enriched lives across India, touching every corner of society.”
He drew a vivid parallel: like a river branching into streams that feed different regions, the RSS inspires a web of affiliates working in education, agriculture, social welfare, tribal upliftment, women’s empowerment, arts, sciences, and labor. Despite this growth, Modi stressed, unity remains key. “Every stream shares one goal: Nation First,” he declared.
The event marked a milestone with the release of a special commemorative postage stamp and coins. The stamp features RSS volunteers marching in the 1963 Republic Day parade, a moment Modi described as a proud display of patriotism. He congratulated the nation on these tributes, noting how they honor the RSS’s ongoing dedication to service and societal empowerment.
Leaders from across India echoed Modi’s praise. Former President Ram Nath Kovind called it the “golden age” of the RSS, tying its work to India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Union Minister Giriraj Singh dubbed the RSS the country’s largest cultural organization, committed to national and humanitarian service.
From Rajasthan, Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari shared her pride in the RSS’s disciplined, door-to-door efforts for public welfare. In Delhi, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari saluted the RSS for boosting Indian pride and culture, making ordinary people “royal ambassadors” of the nation. He pushed for the Bharat Ratna award for RSS founder Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, saying, “He is already a Bharat Ratna in our eyes.”
BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj urged India’s youth to adopt RSS principles, especially the “Nation First” mantra, as the organization steps into its 101st year.
But not everyone joined the celebrations. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) slammed the stamp and coin release as an “insult to India’s Constitution,” which the RSS has historically opposed. They criticized the stamp’s image of Bharat Mata as promoting a divisive Hindutva agenda and disputed the 1963 parade depiction, claiming RSS participation was minor and uninvited.
Congress leader Pawan Khera fired back on social media, accusing the RSS of turning to violence when it can’t win ideological battles. “Every time the RSS fails to defeat the idea of India, their foot soldiers resort to physical violence,” he wrote, referencing Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse and recent threats against Rahul Gandhi. Khera warned of a plot to silence the poor and marginalized.
Founded in 1925 by Dr. Hedgewar in Nagpur, Maharashtra, the RSS started as a volunteer group to promote cultural awareness, discipline, and social responsibility among Indians. Today, its centenary highlights both its supporters’ admiration for nation-building contributions and critics’ concerns over its historical role in India’s freedom struggle and society.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
