Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, while addressing a significant gathering in New Delhi, offered a profound botanical analogy to describe the organisation's century-long evolution. He stated that the RSS, much like a mighty tree that grows from a tiny seed, has taken on new forms over its 100-year journey while its fundamental essence remains unaltered.
The Tree of the Sangh: Evolution Without Change
Speaking at an event held at the Sangh headquarters in the national capital to commemorate the organisation completing 100 years in September 2023, Bhagwat addressed perceptions of change within the RSS. The RSS is currently celebrating its centenary year. He acknowledged that as the organisation expands and adapts, people often see it as changing. However, Bhagwat firmly countered this notion.
"The RSS is celebrating its centenary. But as the organisation evolves and takes on new forms, people perceive it as changing. However, it's not actually changing; it's simply unfolding gradually," Bhagwat was quoted as saying by the PTI news agency.
Elaborating on his central metaphor, he added, "Just as a sprout emerges from a seed, and the mature tree, laden with fruits and flowers, is a different form, these two forms are distinct. Yet, the tree is fundamentally the same as the seed from which it grew." This analogy underscores the Sangh's view of its growth as a natural, organic process of manifestation rather than a shift in core ideology.
Paying Tribute to a "Born Patriot": Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar
In his address, Bhagwat turned his focus to the founder of the RSS, Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, whom he described as a "born patriot" who had dedicated his entire life to the nation's service. He emphasised the inseparable link between the founder and the organisation, stating, "The Sangh and Doctor saheb are synonymous terms."
Bhagwat particularly highlighted Hedgewar's extraordinary mental fortitude in the face of personal tragedy. He recalled that Hedgewar lost both his parents at a very young age, a trauma that could have severely impacted his personality. "When such a great trauma occurs at a very young age, one often becomes isolated and prone to negative effects on one’s nature and personality, but that did not happen in his case," Bhagwat observed.
He praised Hedgewar's psychological resilience, noting that his personality possessed the strength to withstand the greatest shocks without his faith or nature wavering. Bhagwat termed this "a sign of excellent mental health and a strong, healthy mind, which he possessed from the beginning." He went on to suggest that such remarkable psychological strength could itself be a worthy subject for academic study and research.
Centenary Reflections and the Path Forward
The event served as a key moment of reflection as the RSS, one of the world's largest voluntary organisations, marks its 100-year milestone. Bhagwat's speech aimed to bridge the Sangh's historical roots with its contemporary presence, assuring members and observers alike that its foundational principles remain steadfast. The tree analogy not only explains the visible expansion and adaptation of the Sangh's activities over the decades but also reinforces the message of continuity. As the RSS steps into its next century, the leadership's narrative firmly anchors its future trajectory in the enduring vision of its founder, portraying an organisation that is both dynamic in action and constant in its core identity.
