In a significant address aimed at dispelling widespread misconceptions, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat asserted that the organisation cannot be understood through the lens of its affiliated groups like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking to a select gathering of intellectuals at Ravindra Bhavan auditorium in Bhopal, Bhagwat emphasised the distinct identity and working procedure of the Sangh.
Core Mission: Organising Hindu Society for Nation Building
Elaborating on the RSS's fundamental purpose, Mohan Bhagwat stated its primary work revolves around organising the entire Hindu society. The organisation focuses on raising dedicated volunteers and channeling their efforts towards serving the motherland and shaping the nation's future. A key focus is to preserve "India as Bharat" and elevate the country to greater heights, he explained.
Marking a century since its inception, Bhagwat reflected that the Sangh's journey has not been easy. He claimed that no other voluntary organisation in the country has faced the level of oppression, opposition, and protest encountered by the RSS. "Our volunteers have been attacked, harassed, and even murdered," the Sarsanghchalak said. Despite these challenges, he praised the spirit of the swayamsevaks, who remained engaged in what he termed "divine work" without retreating into silence or inactivity.
The 'Guru Dakshina' Model: Funding Through Personal Sacrifice
Bhagwat provided detailed insights into the Sangh's unique financial model, which operates on 'guru-dakshina' or voluntary contributions from its members. He clarified that funds are not raised through charity or external donations. Instead, volunteers contribute money saved from their personal expenses.
"They never ask for funds but cut back from their day-to-day expenses to save money," Bhagwat revealed. He shared poignant examples, including swayamsevaks who forego drinking tea throughout the year and deposit the saved amount for the organisation. In the early days, when the RSS was small, functionaries travelled on bicycles and sometimes went hungry. While the organisation has grown, the culture of guru-dakshina persists. Bhagwat noted that the RSS still experiences a shortage of funds between March and July each year.
A Plea for Direct Understanding
The RSS chief's central message was a plea for a direct assessment of his organisation. "If you try to understand the RSS through the activities of the BJP, then it will be difficult," he cautioned the audience. He extended this clarification to other associated bodies like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Vidya Bharti, stating that their activities also do not fully represent the RSS's core functionality.
Bhagwat concluded by reiterating that volunteers receive nothing in return for their efforts and often lose personal comforts along the way, driven solely by their dedication to the nation and the Sangh's ideals.
