NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a “civilizational force that needs no certification or validation” while releasing the book RSS@100: A Century of Service, Unity & Sacrifice at Uprashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
The book, authored by Shyam Jaju and Anupam Trivedi, was released in the presence of Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, IGNCA President Ram Bahadur Rai, RSS Prant Sanghchalak Pawan Jindal and other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Singh said every Sarsanghchalak of the RSS has opposed discrimination and untouchability, adding that the organisation has always functioned with the principle of “Nation First, Always First.” He said this commitment has helped the RSS become the world’s largest financially self reliant voluntary organisation.
Responding to remarks made by a senior Congress leader questioning why the RSS is not registered, Singh said the Constitution gives every citizen the right to form an organisation and such questions do not warrant a response. Drawing comparisons, he remarked that a mother’s love, the flow of the Ganga and the light of the sun require no official certification, just as the RSS does not need validation.
The Defence Minister also praised the organisation’s discipline and unity, saying it has functioned continuously for nearly a century without any split. He noted that during its centenary year, the RSS chose introspection over celebration by adopting five pledges aimed at building a value based, self reliant, environmentally conscious and duty driven society.
Highlighting the organisation’s historical role, Singh referred to its contribution during the integration of Jammu and Kashmir, the liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Goa’s freedom movement. He also credited the RSS with defending democratic values during the Emergency and opposing attempts to curb freedom of speech.
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan said the RSS’s century long journey reflects the strength of organised voluntary service and its continued emphasis on character building and leadership development.
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