NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said that Sangh is was not founded as reaction or in opposition to any organisation and it does not seek power or popularity.While speaking at a program held as a part of the RSS centenary celebrations in Mumbai, Bhagwat said that those who want to know about RSS, must come should come within the organisation and observe it from close quarters. Viewing ‘Sangh’ Through the Lens of the BJP Is a Huge Mistake, Says RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat “The Sangh has not emerged in competition with any other institution or organization, nor as a reaction or in opposition to anyone. The Sangh does not seek popularity. The Sangh does not seek power. Whatever good deeds are being done in the country—may they be done well; the Sangh exists to help make that happen,” RSS chief said.”If you want to know Sangh, come inside and see it for yourself,” he added.Bhagwat claimed that more than one lakh thirty thousand small and big seva works re carried out by RSS volunteers across the country.”More than one lakh thirty thousand small and big seva works are carried out by Swayamsevaks without taking any government money, spending their own funds with the cooperation of society. In the history of our country, no Sangh like work occurred after Tathagat Buddha,” He said.”The work of the Sangh is meant for the entire nation — Bharatvarsh,” he added.Talking about the situation in the country that preceded the RSS’s birth in 1925, Bhagwat the British founded the Indian National Congress as a “safety valve”, but the Indians transformed it into a powerful instrument in the struggle for independence.Referring to RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, Bhagwat described the difficult circumstances of his childhood including the death of both his parents due to the plague at age 13 and the financial hardship he suffered subsequently.Hedgewar actively participated in various movements during the freedom struggle, including the Vande Mataram agitation in his school days, Bhagwat said.When he cleared the matriculation examination with a first class, some people in Nagpur raised funds to send him to Calcutta (Kolkata) for medical education, where he came in contact with revolutionary groups, Bhagwat said.Recalling an anecdote from that period, Bhagwat said Hedgewar operated under the code name “Koken”, inspired by the name of a person called Kokenchandra. Once a police team which had arrived to arrest Kokenchandra instead detained Hedgewar, an incident documented in a book by Rash Behari Bose, he said.During the ceremony, noted guests such as film actor Salman Khan, Subhash Ghai and Prasoon Joshi were also present.The two-day lecture series titled ‘100 Years of Sangh Journey: New Horizons’ seeks to reflect on the journey of RSS, its role in society, and the ideas and perspectives shaping its future.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFrom Tamil Pride To Global Trust: How PM Modi Used Culture To Reset India-Malaysia RelationsPM Modi In Kuala Lumpur Says India Malaysia Ties Are Rising, Unveils IMPACT Vision For Asia”To Benefit Farmers….” Shivraj Singh Chouhan Big Claim On India-US Trade DealPiyush Goyal Says Agriculture Is Self Reliant Sector As India Refuses Farm Import Benefits To USFrom Design To Silicon, India Signals Semiconductor Breakout With Semicon 2.0 RoadmapMP Minister Vijay Shah Finally Apologises For Comment Targeting Op Sindoor Face Col Sofia QureshiTurkey Sides With Pakistan On Kashmir At UN After Sharif’s Rhetoric On India’s ‘Integral’ Territory’Home-Grown Ills’: Islamabad Mosque Blast Triggers Blame Game As India Rejects Pakistan’s BlameEx-US Official Raymond Vickery Says India Outsmarted Donald Trump Chaos By Sticking To Trade ProcessEx-US Official Raymond Vickery Backs India Red Line On Russian Oil As US Trade Deal Drops Mention123PhotostoriesMukaish to Rabari: Underrated embroidery techniques in India that deserve more attention7 most colourful birds of Indian forestsThe 50: Major Fights That Grabbed Attention5 luxury sports cars that combine comfort with extreme powerThomas Edison once said, “I’ve not failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”: 4 lessons it teaches students6 celebrities who called out social media as ‘toxic’: Tom Holland, Selena Gomez, Kate Winslet, and moreThe ultimate footwear checklist every girl needs in her closet5 mistakes to avoid when investing in under-construction projectsFrom Anil Kapoor to Janhvi, meet ‘ Tu Yaa Main’ actress Shanaya Kapoor’s star relativesChennai airport soars: 80% on-time flights beat private giants123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionGCC Unified Visa 2026Income Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingIndia vs USA LiveCooper Kupp WifeKayla NicoleSuper Bowl LX TicketOliver RowlandJustin GaethjeLIV GolfLiam Paro vs Paddy Donovan Net WorthWinter Olympics 2026NBA Trade Update
NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said that Sangh is was not founded as reaction or in opposition to any organisation and it does not seek power or popularity.While speaking at a program held as a part of the RSS centenary celebrations in Mumbai, Bhagwat said that those who want to know about RSS, must come should come within the organisation and observe it from close quarters.
“The Sangh has not emerged in competition with any other institution or organization, nor as a reaction or in opposition to anyone. The Sangh does not seek popularity. The Sangh does not seek power. Whatever good deeds are being done in the country—may they be done well; the Sangh exists to help make that happen,” RSS chief said.“If you want to know Sangh, come inside and see it for yourself,” he added.Bhagwat claimed that more than one lakh thirty thousand small and big seva works re carried out by RSS volunteers across the country.“More than one lakh thirty thousand small and big seva works are carried out by Swayamsevaks without taking any government money, spending their own funds with the cooperation of society. In the history of our country, no Sangh like work occurred after Tathagat Buddha,” He said.“The work of the Sangh is meant for the entire nation — Bharatvarsh,” he added.Talking about the situation in the country that preceded the RSS’s birth in 1925, Bhagwat the British founded the Indian National Congress as a “safety valve”, but the Indians transformed it into a powerful instrument in the struggle for independence.Referring to RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, Bhagwat described the difficult circumstances of his childhood including the death of both his parents due to the plague at age 13 and the financial hardship he suffered subsequently.Hedgewar actively participated in various movements during the freedom struggle, including the Vande Mataram agitation in his school days, Bhagwat said.When he cleared the matriculation examination with a first class, some people in Nagpur raised funds to send him to Calcutta (Kolkata) for medical education, where he came in contact with revolutionary groups, Bhagwat said.Recalling an anecdote from that period, Bhagwat said Hedgewar operated under the code name “Koken”, inspired by the name of a person called Kokenchandra. Once a police team which had arrived to arrest Kokenchandra instead detained Hedgewar, an incident documented in a book by Rash Behari Bose, he said.During the ceremony, noted guests such as film actor Salman Khan, Subhash Ghai and Prasoon Joshi were also present.The two-day lecture series titled ‘100 Years of Sangh Journey: New Horizons’ seeks to reflect on the journey of RSS, its role in society, and the ideas and perspectives shaping its future.
