New Delhi: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said India’s rising global influence has become increasingly evident, adding that world leaders now listen closely when Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks because the country’s strength is gaining international recognition. He made the remarks in Pune during an event commemorating 100 years of the organisation.
Bhagwat said such milestones should not be the focus and urged introspection on why the organisation’s larger mission of uniting society remains incomplete. He noted that the RSS has navigated challenges for a century, yet the objective of building social harmony still requires sustained effort. He emphasised that the organisation must reflect on the time it has taken to achieve its goals.
Highlighting historical patterns, he said periods of India’s rise have coincided with greater global stability. He argued that the current geopolitical climate places added responsibility on the country and reiterated that volunteers continue to work with dedication toward strengthening unity.
Reflecting on the organisation’s early years, Bhagwat recalled how its founder, Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, and the first group of volunteers worked under difficult circumstances, setting in motion a transformation that has shaped the organisation’s growth. He said their efforts laid the foundation for the values and commitment the RSS upholds today.
Bhagwat pointed to India’s expanding global stature to explain the attention the Prime Minister receives on international platforms. He added that this recognition comes as the country begins to assert its rightful position on the world stage.
He also recounted an interaction in which someone remarked that the organisation had “arrived late,” to which he responded that it was not the RSS that arrived late but rather people who had begun listening late.
Underscoring the importance of unity, he said the organisation’s call for dialogue and collective progress extends to all sections of society. He stressed that India’s diverse philosophies stem from a common source and must advance together with a shared commitment to harmony.
