In a significant address that touched upon India’s cultural and civilizational roots, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat emphasized that every Indian, regardless of religion, shares the same ancestral heritage. Speaking at an event in Bengaluru as part of a lecture series titled 100 Years of Sangh Journey: New Horizons, Bhagwat said that there is no “Ahindu” in Bharat, as all communities are descendants of the same forefathers.
Bhagwat asserted that Hindus are responsible for the idea and sustenance of Bharat, not because of dominance, but because Hinduism forms the cultural and spiritual foundation of the country. “It is not that the British gave us nationhood; we are an ancient civilization. Everyone in the world agrees that every nation must have its own culture. In Bharat, that culture is Sanatana Dharma,” he said, stressing that this eternal faith binds the country through shared values of tolerance, acceptance, and unity.
He further added that all Indians, whether Muslims or Christians, are part of this larger cultural fabric. “All are descendants of the same ancestors. Maybe some have forgotten it knowingly or unknowingly, but everyone follows the same civilizational stream,” Bhagwat explained. He clarified that by referring to India as a Hindu Rashtra, he did not mean a theocratic state, but a cultural one rooted in common heritage. According to him, every Indian who lives responsibly and contributes positively to society is part of this Hindu ethos, irrespective of faith.
Bhagwat elaborated that the ideals of Sanatana Dharma are not in conflict with modern democratic principles. “It conforms with the Constitution we are following today,” he said, noting that the strength of Indian civilization lies in its inclusivity and adaptability. For him, the progress of Sanatana Dharma is synonymous with the progress of Bharat itself.
The event in Bengaluru marked the second in a series of lectures designed to place the RSS’s vision, worldview, and purpose within India’s public discourse. Similar programs are planned in Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Bhagwat used this occasion to reflect on the RSS’s journey and its continued role in nation-building.
He spoke candidly about the challenges the RSS has faced since its inception. “There were two bans, but there was always opposition and criticism. Our volunteers were even murdered. Yet, through every test, we were told to stay firm, to serve, and to never seek anything in return,” he said. Bhagwat praised the commitment of the Sangh’s members, calling them selfless workers who dedicate their lives to social and national service.
Addressing a common misconception, Bhagwat explained that the RSS was not created as a reactionary organization. “Many people think the Sangh was born out of opposition to some event or ideology. That is not true. The Sangh was formed to fulfill a natural and essential need of every society — the need for unity and character,” he said. For him, the RSS’s mission is not political agitation but the moral and cultural awakening of society.
In his speech, Bhagwat also paid tribute to Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the founder of the RSS. He recounted how Hedgewar participated in political agitations and protests, including the Vande Mataram movement, and was associated with revolutionary leaders like Rajguru. However, after deep reflection, Hedgewar concluded that what India needed most was not more agitators but organizers who could unite society. “That is how RSS was born — to produce that kind of organiser, a societal unity worker,” Bhagwat explained.
Concluding his speech, Bhagwat said that the RSS’s vision remains the same today as it was a century ago — to serve Bharat Mata and to strengthen the spirit of oneness among all Indians. He urged citizens to look beyond divisions of religion and caste and to see themselves as part of one extended family with shared ancestors and a shared destiny.
