On October 2, 2025, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) marked its centenary with a grand Vijayadashmi rally in Nagpur, drawing thousands of attendees and the presence of former president Ram Nath Kovind as chief guest. But it was the address by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat that truly set the tone for the day, weaving together themes of unity, self-reliance, security, and the challenges facing both India and its neighbors.
Standing before a sea of saffron flags and an expectant crowd, Bhagwat wasted no time in laying out his central thesis: the inherent strength and character of Hindu society are what guarantee India’s unity and development. According to Press Trust of India (PTI), he proclaimed, “Hindu society is upholder and guardian of the noble idea of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family).” He asserted that this society is inherently inclusive, free from the divisive mentality of “us and them,” and that this inclusivity forms the bedrock of national progress.
Bhagwat’s message was clear—India’s diversity, with its multitude of languages, religions, and lifestyles, is not a weakness but a strength, provided the larger identity as a society, culture, and nation is kept supreme. “According to Bharatiya traditions, all are welcome…We look at them as ours rather than as the ‘other’,” he said, as reported by PTI. While acknowledging the importance of distinct identities, he cautioned that they “should not cause division.”
In a country that has seen its fair share of communal strife, Bhagwat’s emphasis on social unity struck a chord. He called for harmonious and respectful attitudes among citizens, urging everyone to avoid disrespecting the beliefs, icons, or places of worship of others. “The government should operate in accordance with law and without bias,” he said, adding that it was the responsibility of “good people of society” and especially the younger generation to remain vigilant and intervene when necessary to maintain social order.
Yet, Bhagwat did not shy away from addressing the darker undercurrents threatening this unity. He condemned the tendency to “take the law into one’s hands” or resort to violence over trivial reasons. “A show of strength is deliberately done to provoke a particular community,” he warned, highlighting the evil consequences of falling into such traps. His call was for calm heads and a refusal to be baited into communal discord.
Security and vigilance formed another major theme of his speech. Referring to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, where 26 Bharatiya civilian tourists were killed after terrorists specifically asked about their Hindu faith, Bhagwat noted the wave of grief and anger that swept across the country. He praised the government’s “fitting response,” which, in his words, “showcased the firmness of the leadership, valour of the armed forces, and determination and unity of society.” But the episode also served as a sobering lesson. “The responses of other countries were a test of who our friends are in the global arena and to what extent they are willing to stand by us,” Bhagwat observed, emphasizing the need for India to remain as vigilant as possible and to further develop its security capabilities.
Turning his gaze outward, Bhagwat expressed deep concern over the turmoil in neighboring countries such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal. He identified the immediate causes of unrest as a “disconnect between the government and society and lack of able and people-oriented administrators.” Violent outbursts, he argued, do not have the power to bring about desirable change, and when democratic transformation fails, “dominant powers of the world try to find opportunities to play their own games.” The recent regime changes in these countries, fueled by public anger, were a cause for concern, he said. “The forces wanting to create such disturbances in Bharat are active inside as well as outside our country.”
For Bhagwat, India’s natural affinity with its neighbors goes beyond mere protection of national interests. “Peace, stability, prosperity, and ensuring comfort and wellbeing in these countries is a necessity arising out of our natural affinity with them,” he said, according to PTI. The implication was unmistakable: India cannot afford to ignore instability on its borders, given both historical ties and strategic imperatives.
On the economic front, Bhagwat’s message was a rallying cry for ‘swadeshi’—the use of indigenous resources—and ‘swavalamban,’ or self-reliance. He argued there is “no substitute” for these principles, especially as the flaws in the global economic system become more apparent. “The widening gap between rich and poor, concentration of economic power, environmental degradation, and growth of transactionalism over genuine relationships” are exposing the system’s weaknesses, he said. Bhagwat also warned that the tariff policy adopted by America, “based solely on its self-interest,” could pose challenges for India if not countered by a robust, self-reliant approach.
While acknowledging that the economic situation is improving, Bhagwat cautioned that India must not let global interdependence become a compulsion. “By becoming Aatmanirbhar and being cognizant of global unity, we must ensure that this global interdependence does not become a compulsion for us, and we are able to act according to our own will,” he said, as reported by both PTI and local news outlets.
Environmental concerns were not left out of Bhagwat’s sweeping address. He pointed to the harmful consequences of the global “materialist and consumerist development model,” which, he argued, is directly linked to recent ecological disasters. The Himalayas, he noted, are facing intensified adverse effects such as unpredictable rainfall, landslides, and drying glaciers. “The entire water supply of south Asia originates in the region,” he reminded the audience, underscoring the stakes involved. Bhagwat’s critique was not just of foreign models but of a broader mindset that prioritizes material gain over ecological balance.
As the centenary rally drew to a close, the RSS chief’s words left a clear message: India’s future depends on unity that transcends divisions, self-reliance that withstands global shocks, vigilance in the face of security threats, and a development model that respects both people and the planet. The challenges are many, but so are the resources—if the nation can draw on its inherent strengths and values.
Bhagwat’s speech, delivered on a day heavy with symbolism, was both a reflection on a century of RSS’s existence and a roadmap for the years ahead. Whether one agrees with every point or not, the issues he raised—national unity, economic independence, security, and environmental stewardship—are certain to shape India’s public discourse well into the future.
