RSS general secretary hails “unwavering” public support for the Sangh through its 100-year journey

With the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) set to complete 100 years on Vijayadashami, which coincides with Gandhi Jayanti on October 2 this year, the organisation’s general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said the journey of the Sangh has faced challenges and requires hard work, but has been upheld by the unwavering support of the ordinary citizens of the country.

In a letter shared with the media, Mr. Hosabale said that the progress of the Sangh has always rested on society’s constant support. Because its work remained in tune with the spirit of the people, acceptance grew steadily over time, he added.

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“Over the decades, the Sangh has raised several issues of national importance, always with society standing in support. At times, even those publicly opposed have lent their voices for the larger Hindu cause. The Sangh consistently sought consensus and cooperation on matters of Hindu unity, national security, social harmony, democracy, and preservation of culture. Thousands of Swayamsevaks endured unimaginable hardships, and many laid down their lives. Through all this, society’s hand of support was always there,” Mr. Hosabale said.

Support from religious leaders

Sharing the Sangh’s work for the upliftment of Hindu society, Mr. Hosabale recounted how former Congress leader Karan Singh had joined the RSS’s social awakening cause. He lauded the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which was formed in 1964, for garnering massive support for the Sangh from religious leaders. From the campaign for cow protection, to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, the Sant-samaj, or saintly fraternity, has always given its blessings to the Sangh’s swayamsevaks, he added.

Recalling the ‘ban’ placed on the Sangh’s activities for political reasons, Mr. Hosabale said that not only ordinary people but also highly respected figures in society had openly stood by the organisation, giving them courage in those difficult times.

“The same was experienced during the Emergency. That is why, despite so many obstacles, the Sangh’s work has continued seamlessly and steadily. Through crises, it has often been the mothers and sisters who shouldered the responsibility of keeping Swayamsevaks and their work intact, becoming a constant source of inspiration,” he said, praising senior leaders of the Rashtra Sevika Samiti, the women’s wing of the RSS.

Elaborating plans for the RSS’s centenary year, Mr. Hosabale said that Sangh Swayamsevaks would make a special effort to reach every household — across big cities, remote villages, and among all sections of society — to invite wider cooperation and participation in the mission of national service. With the coordinated effort of all well-meaning forces of society, the next stage of India’s journey towards holistic development will certainly be smoother and more successful, he added.