NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday described the Sangh as an “organised force that doesn’t seek power,” asserting that Hindus are “responsible” for Bharat. He was speaking in Bengaluru at a lecture titled “100 Years of Sangh Journey: New Horizons.” “When an organised force like the RSS is raised, it doesn’t seek power or prominence. It only wishes to serve and organise society for the glory of Bharat Mata (Mother India),” news agency PTI quoted Bhagwat as saying. “People once found that hard to believe, but now they do.”

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Addressing questions on why the RSS focuses on Hindu society, Bhagwat remarked, “Hindus are responsible for Bharat. It’s not that the British gave us nationhood; we are an ancient nation. Every nation has its core culture — and for Bharat, that core is Hindu.”He went on to emphasise why, according to him, Muslims and Christians in India are also “descendants of the same ancestors.” “They probably don’t know it, or they were made to forget it,” he observed. “Knowingly or unknowingly, everyone follows ‘Bharateeya’ (Indian) culture — so nobody is ‘Ahindu’ (non-Hindu). Every Hindu must realise he is a Hindu, because being Hindu means being responsible for Bharat.” Explaining his view of India as a “Hindu Rashtra (nation),” he maintained, “The Sangh’s goal is to unite the Hindu society. That is why Bharat is a Hindu Rashtra. It doesn’t contradict the Constitution — it aligns with it.” Reflecting on the Sangh’s journey — it was founded in September 1925 — Bhagwat recalled decades of opposition, including bans and attacks on its members. “There were bans, criticisms, even murders of swayamsevaks. Yet, they gave their all to the Sangh without expecting anything in return. That spirit helped us overcome challenges and earn credibility in society,” he noted.As the RSS marks its centenary, Bhagwat underlined that the organisation’s focus is on reaching every village and social group across castes and communities. “We see Hindu society as one, but the world sees diversity. We must reach every section,” he noted. “Our aim is to organise the entire Hindu society — all 142 crore people — across different religious streams, including those who came from outside over time,” Bhagwat added, mentioning that the RSS has begun dialogues with those who do not identify as Hindus.