PM Modi hails RSS on its centenary

New Delhi, Oct 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lauded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on completing 100 years of its journey, describing it as a movement that has withstood conspiracies, bans, and false cases, yet remained steadfast in service to the nation.

Addressing the centenary celebrations of the Sangh at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in the capital, Modi called the RSS “a virtuous incarnation of India’s eternal national consciousness.” The Prime Minister recalled that from its inception in 1925, the Sangh has been synonymous with patriotism and service. “During Partition, when millions were displaced, swayamsevaks stood at the forefront with limited resources. This was not just relief work; it was strengthening the soul of the nation,” he said.

Acknowledging past attempts to suppress the organisation, Modi referred to the imprisonment of the second Sarsanghchalak, M.S. Golwalkar, popularly known as Guruji. “Guruji endured false accusations and jail, yet responded with profound calmness. He said, ‘Sometimes the tongue gets caught under the teeth and is crushed. But we do not break the teeth, because both the teeth and the tongue are ours.’ This spirit of resilience, without bitterness, became the guiding light for swayamsevaks,” the Prime Minister said.

Releasing a commemorative coin and postage stamp to mark the centenary, Modi highlighted that for the first time in independent India’s history, Bharat Mata’s image has been engraved on currency. “The ₹100 coin bears the Sangh’s guiding motto—‘Rashtraya Swaha, Idam Rashtraya, Idam Na Mama’—a reminder of the spirit of sacrifice for the nation,” he noted. Comparing the Sangh to a river that nurtures civilizations, the Prime Minister said its influence extends into every sphere of Indian life—from education and agriculture to tribal upliftment and women’s empowerment. “Each affiliated stream works with one sentiment: Nation First,” he stressed.

Modi underlined that faith in democracy and constitutional institutions has always kept swayamsevaks rooted. “During the Emergency, this belief gave swayamsevaks the strength to resist oppression. These two values—oneness with society and trust in institutions—are why the Sangh has endured like a banyan tree,” he said.

The Prime Minister also praised the Sangh’s contribution to disaster relief, national integration, and social harmony. “From the 1962 war to the 1971 refugee crisis, from the 1984 riots to the COVID-19 pandemic, swayamsevaks have been among the first responders. The enduring hardship to alleviate the suffering of others is the hallmark of every swayamsevak,” he remarked.

He further said one of the Sangh’s greatest contributions has been awakening self-awareness and pride, particularly among marginalised and tribal communities. Quoting past Sarsanghchalaks, he emphasised the Sangh’s role in fighting caste-based discrimination. “If untouchability is not a sin, then nothing in the world is,” Modi recalled Balasaheb Deoras’s words, reaffirming the organisation’s efforts toward social equality.

Looking ahead, the Prime Minister said the Sangh’s five transformative resolutions—self-awareness, social harmony, family enlightenment, civic discipline, and environmental consciousness—are vital for India’s journey to 2047. “Self-reliance is not an option but a necessity. The mantra of ‘Vocal for Local’ must become our collective resolve,” he urged.

Concluding his address, Modi described the RSS as deeply intertwined with India’s cultural roots and future aspirations. “The Sangh’s ideal is to deepen and strengthen the roots of Indian culture. Its vision is for Indian society to become a symbol of social justice, and its mission is to ensure a radiant and secure future for the nation. This is the Sangh’s resolve, and it is also the nation’s resolve,” he said, extending greetings on Navratri and Vijayadashami. Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale, and other dignitaries attended the centenary celebrations.