RSS was founded in 1925, should we have registered with British? Bhagwat asks critics

In a veiled response to Congress leaders questioning the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) legal status, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said the organisation is recognised as a “body of individuals.”

“RSS was established in 1925, so do you expect us to have registered with the British government?” Bhagwat remarked during an internal interaction organised by the Sangh. He further pointed out that registration was never made mandatory after Independence.

“We are categorised as body of individuals, and we are a recognised organisation,” Bhagwat clarified. He added that both the Income Tax Department and courts have recognised the RSS as such, and the organisation has been granted tax exemption.

Recalling the bans imposed on the organisation in the past, Bhagwat said, “We were banned thrice. So the government has recognised us. If we were not there, whom did they ban?” He also remarked that many entities remain unregistered, adding, “Even Hindu Dharma is not registered.”

Addressing the criticism that RSS only honours the saffron flag and not the national tricolour, Bhagwat explained that while the saffron flag is revered as a “Guru” within the Sangh, it holds deep respect for the national flag as well. “We always respect, offer tribute and protect our tricolour,” he said.

His comments come in the backdrop of recent statements by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who called for a ban on the RSS. His son, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, had also sought a ban on RSS activities in government institutions and public spaces, questioning its registration number and sources of funding.

Bhagwat reiterated that the RSS does not back any political party. “We do not participate in vote politics, current politics, election politics, etc. Sangh's work is uniting the society and politics, by nature, is divisive, so we keep out of politics,” he stated.

Clarifying the organisation’s stance, Bhagwat added that RSS supports policies, not individuals or parties. “We support policies. We will exert our force to support the right policy, not an individual, not a party, but policy,” he explained.

Referring to the Ram Mandir movement, he said Sangh volunteers actively supported the temple’s construction. “So BJP was there (to support it). If Congress or any other party had supported, we would have supported them as well,” he said.

“We don't have special affinity towards one party. There is no Sangh party. No party is ours and all parties are ours because they are Bharatiya parties,” Bhagwat added. He stressed that the RSS seeks to unite society without exclusion, believing in “‘Sabka saath, sabka vikas’ without giving a slogan.”

On relations with Pakistan, Bhagwat said the Sangh always desires peace between the two nations. “It is Pakistan which doesn't want peace with us, and as long as Pakistan gets some satisfaction of causing harm to Bharat, it will keep on doing it,” he said.

He reminded Pakistan of the 1971 war and warned of consequences if it continued its hostile stance. “It is better to cooperate than to fight. I don't think they understand any other language. So we have to speak the language they understand,” Bhagwat said.

“We have to give befitting answer and defeat them, always, each time, causing them some loss that they will repent forever,” he added.

On caste issues, Bhagwat said there is no casteism but rather “caste confusion.” “There is no system, but there is caste confusion for concessions and for elections. So there is no need to do any effort to eradicate caste. There is need to do effort to forget caste. And that is very easy. We individually can forget caste,” he observed.

Speaking on the topic of ‘Love Jihad’, Bhagwat urged people not to obsess over others’ actions. Instead, he said, they should focus on their own duties and values. He advised families to nurture “Hindu samskara” at home to address such concerns.
(With PTI Inputs)