Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh facts for kids

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Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
Bhagwa Dhwaj or saffron flag, an official symbol of RSS
RSS members marching in Bhopal
Abbreviation	RSS
Formation	27 September 1925 (99 years ago) (1925-09-27)
Founder	K. B. Hedgewar
Type	Non-profit political organisation
Legal status	Active
Purpose	Promotion of Hindu nationalism and Hindutva
Headquarters	Dr. Hedgewar Bhawan, Sangh Building Road, Nagpur, Maharashtra – 440 032, India
Area served	India
Membership	5–6 million 56,859 branches/shakhas (2016)
Sarsanghchalak (Chief)	Mohan Bhagwat
Sarkaryawah (General Secretary)	Dattatreya Hosabale
Affiliations	Sangh Parivar

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (often called RSS) is a large volunteer organization in India. It was started to help unite the Hindu community and promote Hindutva, an idea of Hindu nationalism. The RSS is the main group in a big family of organizations known as the Sangh Parivar. This family includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is the current ruling political party in India, led by Narendra Modi.

The RSS was founded on September 27, 1925. Its first goal was to teach good character and discipline to Hindus. It aimed to create a strong "Hindu nation" (Hindu Rashtra). The organization works to spread the idea of Hindutva to make the Hindu community stronger. It also promotes Indian culture and its traditional values. The RSS has been described as focusing on Hindu strength.

During the time when India was ruled by the British, the RSS did not join the Indian independence movement. After India became independent, the RSS grew into a very influential Hindu nationalist group. It created many related organizations, including schools, charities, and clubs, to share its ideas. The Indian government has banned the RSS three times. The first ban was in 1948 after Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by a former RSS member. It was also banned during The Emergency (1975–1977) and after the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992. Today, the RSS is one of the largest volunteer organizations in the world.

How the RSS Began

Keshav Baliram Hedgewar started the RSS.

The RSS was started in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, a doctor from Nagpur, India.

Hedgewar was influenced by B. S. Moonje, a politician and social activist. Hedgewar had studied medicine in Calcutta and learned combat techniques from secret revolutionary groups there. He used these secretive methods to organize the RSS.

After returning to Nagpur, Hedgewar took part in activities against British rule. He joined Tilak's Home Rule campaign in 1918. He later felt that fighting the British alone was not enough. After reading V. D. Savarkar's book Hindutva and meeting Savarkar in prison, Hedgewar was greatly inspired. He then founded the RSS to strengthen Hindu society.

Hedgewar believed that the British could rule India because Hindus were not united. He recruited young Hindu men who were full of energy. He gave them a uniform and taught them paramilitary skills using a bamboo staff (lathi), sword, and dagger. Hindu ceremonies and rituals were important in the organization. They helped members feel connected and remember India's past. The saffron flag of warrior king Shivaji, the Bhagwa Dhwaj, became the symbol of the RSS.

Two years later, in 1927, Hedgewar started an "Officers' Training Camp." This camp aimed to create a group of dedicated full-time workers called pracharaks. These pracharaks were asked to give up their normal lives and dedicate themselves to the RSS. They were responsible for setting up as many shakhas (branches) as possible. These branches were first set up in Nagpur, then across Maharashtra, and eventually all over India.

Why the RSS Was Formed

Scholars have different ideas about why Hedgewar formed the RSS. He never directly involved the RSS in fighting British rule. Some say the RSS aimed to spread the ideas of Hindutva and give new strength to the Hindu community.

After Tilak passed away in 1920, Hedgewar and other followers disagreed with some of Mahatma Gandhi's plans. They were concerned about Gandhi's support for the Muslim Khilafat Movement. Also, protecting cows was not a priority for the Indian National Congress. Because of these differences, Hedgewar decided to go a different way from Gandhi. In 1921, Hedgewar was arrested for his speeches and spent a year in prison.

He was released in July 1922. Hedgewar was worried about the lack of organization among Congress volunteer groups. He felt a need to create a new organization based on India's traditions and history. He met with important political figures in Nagpur from 1922 to 1924. He also visited Gandhi's ashram in 1924. After this meeting, he planned to unite different Hindu groups into one nationalist movement.

Hindu and Muslim Relations

The 1920s saw a rise in tensions between Hindus and Muslims. The Khilafat movement mobilized many Muslims. Gandhi tried to create Hindu–Muslim unity by supporting this movement. However, some Muslims later turned their anger towards Hindus. The Moplah rebellion in August 1921 led to violence against Hindus in Malabar. This started a cycle of violence across India for several years. In 1923, there were riots in Nagpur, which Hedgewar called "Muslim riots." Hindus felt disorganized and scared during these events. These incidents convinced Hedgewar that Hindu society needed to be organized.

In 1927, after the RSS had about 100 volunteers, Hedgewar addressed the issue of Hindu-Muslim relations. He led a Hindu religious procession for Ganesha, playing drums even though it was not common to pass mosques with music. On September 4, Muslims reportedly reacted to this. When the Hindu procession reached a mosque in Nagpur, Muslims blocked it. Later, they attacked Hindu homes. It is said that RSS members were ready and fought back. The riots lasted three days, and the army had to step in. The RSS organized Hindu resistance and protected Hindu homes. This event greatly increased the RSS's reputation and helped it grow.

Influences on the RSS

The Hindu Mahasabha was an important influence on the RSS. In 1923, Hindu leaders like Madan Mohan Malaviya met to discuss divisions in the Hindu community. Malaviya believed that friendship could only exist between equals. He wanted activists to educate children, set up gymnasiums, and create volunteer groups. He also wanted them to accept untouchables as Hindus and give them equal rights. Later, V. D. Savarkar's 'Hindutva' ideas also deeply influenced Hedgewar's thoughts about the 'Hindu nation'.

The first meeting to form the RSS in 1925 included Hedgewar and four Hindu Mahasabha leaders. The RSS also helped organize the Hindu Mahasabha's annual meeting in 1931. Many Hindu Mahasabha leaders helped spread RSS branches. Officials at the time even called the RSS the "volunteer organization of the Hindu Mahasabha."

RSS History

Not Joining the Independence Movement

From its start, the RSS did not join the Indian independence movement against British rule. Hedgewar presented the RSS as a social movement. He kept it separate from political groups fighting the British. The RSS disagreed with Gandhi's willingness to work with Muslims.

The RSS carefully avoided any political actions that could be seen as anti-British. According to an RSS biographer, Hedgewar only spoke about Hindu organizations. He avoided direct comments on the government. The "Independence Day" declared by the Indian National Congress for January 26, 1930, was celebrated by the RSS that year but not afterward. The Tricolor flag of the Indian national movement was avoided. Hedgewar personally joined Gandhi's 'Satyagraha' in April 1930. However, he made sure the RSS as an organization did not get involved. He told everyone that the RSS would not participate. But individuals could join if they wished.

M. S. Golwalkar led the RSS after Hedgewar.

M. S. Golwalkar, who became the RSS leader in 1940, continued this approach. He kept the RSS separate from the independence movement. He believed the RSS's goal was to achieve freedom by "defending religion and culture," not by fighting the British. Golwalkar did not want to give the British a reason to ban the RSS. He followed all government rules during World War II. The British government saw that the RSS was not supporting civil disobedience. They noted that RSS speakers told members to stay away from anti-British movements. The British Home Department did not see the RSS as a problem for law and order. The Bombay government praised the RSS for staying within the law. They noted that the RSS did not take part in the Quit India Movement in August 1942.

Golwalkar later admitted that the RSS did not join the Quit India Movement. He also stated that the RSS did not support or join the Royal Indian Navy mutiny in 1946. Overall, the RSS chose not to join the independence movement. Instead, it focused on working with the British government.

India's Partition

The Partition of India in 1947 caused huge problems for millions of Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims. They tried to escape the violence that followed. During the partition, the RSS helped Hindu refugees fleeing West Punjab. RSS members also took part in the violence during Hindu-Muslim riots in North India. However, this was not officially approved by the RSS leadership. RSS members believed the partition happened because of a weak approach towards Muslims. They blamed Gandhi, Nehru, and Patel for the partition and the mass killings.

First Ban on the RSS

The RSS was first banned in Punjab Province (British India) on January 24, 1947. This ban was put in place by Malik Khizar Hayat Tiwana, the leader of the ruling Unionist Party. The Muslim National Guard was also banned at the same time. The ban was lifted just four days later, on January 28, 1947.

Views on the National Flag

The RSS initially did not accept the Tricolor as the National Flag. The RSS-supported newspaper, the Organiser, asked for the Bhagwa Dhwaj (Saffron Flag) to be the National Flag. After the Tricolor was chosen as the National Flag on July 22, 1947, the Organiser strongly criticized this decision. It said that the Tricolor would "never be respected and owned by Hindus." It also called the number three "evil."

In his book Bunch of Thoughts, Golwalkar also expressed sadness about the choice of the Tricolor. He asked why India, with its glorious past, needed a new flag. He felt it showed a lack of original thought. The RSS only hoisted the National Flag at its Nagpur headquarters twice: on August 14, 1947, and January 26, 1950. After that, they stopped. This caused controversy. In 2001, some activists forcibly hoisted the flag at the RSS headquarters on Republic Day. They were arrested but later released. In 2002, the National Flag was raised at the RSS headquarters on Republic Day for the first time in 52 years, after new flag rules were made.

Views on the Indian Constitution

The RSS also initially did not accept the Constitution of India. They criticized it for not mentioning "Manu's laws" from the ancient Hindu text Manusmriti. When the Constitution was finalized, the Organiser newspaper complained. It said that the Constitution had "no mention of that unique constitutional development in ancient Bharat." It argued that Manu's laws still "excite the admiration of the world."

On February 6, 1950, the Organiser published another article supporting the Manusmriti as the main law for Hindus. It stated that Hindus' daily lives were still affected by the principles in Manusmriti. The RSS continued to criticize the Constitution after independence. In 1966, Golwalkar said in his book Bunch of Thoughts that India's Constitution was just a mix of articles from Western countries. He felt it had nothing truly Indian.

Second Ban and Acquittal

In January 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse, who had been a member of the RSS. After the assassination, many RSS leaders were arrested, and the RSS was banned on February 4, 1948. During the court case, Godse claimed he had left the RSS in 1946. The Kapur Commission investigated the murder and reported in 1970. It stated that the "RSS as such were not responsible for the murder of Mahatma Gandhi." However, the Home Minister at the time, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, said that "RSS men expressed joy and distributed sweets after Gandhi's death." This event made the RSS very unpopular.

RSS leaders were later cleared of the conspiracy charge by the Supreme Court of India. After his release in August 1948, Golwalkar asked Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to lift the ban. Nehru said it was the Home Minister's decision. Patel then demanded that the RSS create a formal written constitution. He wanted the RSS to promise loyalty to the Constitution of India, accept the Tricolor as the National Flag, and become more democratic. Golwalkar protested this demand and was jailed again. Later, a constitution was written for the RSS. It was eventually changed to meet most of Patel's demands. On July 11, 1949, the government lifted the ban on the RSS. This was because Golwalkar promised that the RSS would be loyal to the Constitution and respect the National Flag.

Helping in Goa's Freedom

After India became independent, the RSS supported efforts to free Dadra and Nagar Haveli from Portuguese rule. In 1954, RSS volunteers visited the area to learn about it and meet locals who wanted to join India. In April 1954, the RSS joined other groups to take over Dadra and Nagar Haveli. On July 21, a group captured the police station at Dadra and declared it independent. On July 28, RSS volunteers helped capture other territories, including the capital of Silvassa. The Portuguese forces surrendered on August 11, 1954.

This success boosted the movement against Portuguese rule in India. In 1955, RSS leaders demanded an end to Portuguese rule in Goa. When Prime Minister Nehru did not send armed forces, RSS leader Jagannath Rao Joshi led a peaceful protest (Satyagraha) into Goa. He and his followers were arrested. On August 15, 1955, Portuguese police fired on the protesters, killing about thirty civilians.

Fighting the Emergency Rule

In 1975, the government led by Indira Gandhi declared emergency rule in India. This suspended basic rights and limited press freedom. This happened after the Supreme Court canceled her election due to unfair practices. Many opposition leaders were arrested. The RSS, known for its large organization, was seen as a threat and was also banned.

Deoras, the RSS chief, wrote to Indira Gandhi. He offered the RSS's help if the ban was lifted. He said the RSS was not involved in protests in Bihar and Gujarat. He tried to get others to help mediate between the RSS and the government. When there was no response, RSS volunteers formed underground movements against the Emergency. They secretly published and shared censored information. They also collected money for the movement. They helped connect leaders from different political parties who were in jail or outside. The RSS claimed that tens of thousands of its members were leading the movement. They said their only goal was to bring democracy back to India. The Emergency was lifted in 1977, and the ban on the RSS was also removed.

The Emergency period helped the RSS gain more acceptance in Indian politics. This was important after the negative image it got following Mahatma Gandhi's assassination in 1948. It helped set the stage for Hindutva politics in the years that followed.

How the RSS Is Organized

The RSS does not have a formal membership process. To join, men and boys can simply go to the nearest shakha, which is the basic local unit. Although the RSS says it does not keep membership records, it was estimated to have between 2.5 and 6 million members in 2001.

Leaders and Members

A welcome sign for K. Sudarshan, a former RSS chief.

Here are some terms for RSS leaders and members:

Sarsanghchalak: This is the head of the RSS. The current head chooses the next one.
Sarkaryavah: This is like a general secretary or executive head. Elected by members of the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha. Dattatreya Hosabale is the current Sarkaryawah.
Sah-Sarkaryavah: These are joint general secretaries. There are usually four of them.
Vicharak: These are RSS leaders who act as thinkers or ideologues for the organization.
Pracharak: These are active, full-time missionaries who spread RSS ideas. They are considered the lifeblood of the organization. Many pracharaks dedicate their lives to the RSS. They helped spread the organization across India. Two famous former pracharaks are former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Karyakarta: These are active functionaries. To become a karyakarta, volunteers go through four levels of training. Most karyakartas are householders who support the organization part-time. About 5% are pracharaks who work full-time.
Mukhya-Shikshak: This is the Head-teacher and chief of a Shakha.
Karyawah: This is the Executive head of a Shakha.
Gatanayak: This is a group leader.
Swayamsevak (स्वयंसेवक): This means "volunteer." They attend the shakhas of the RSS.

Shakhas (Branches)

The word shakha means "branch" in Hindi. Most of the RSS's work happens through its many shakhas. These shakhas meet for one hour in public places. The number of shakhas grew from 8,500 in 1975 to 51,000 in 2004. After the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost power in 2004, the number dropped. But by mid-2014, it increased again to about 40,000 when the BJP returned to power. In August 2015, there were 51,335 shakhas.

Shakhas offer various activities for volunteers. These include physical fitness through yoga, exercises, and games. They also have activities that promote civic awareness, social service, community living, and patriotism. Volunteers learn first aid and how to help in rescue operations. They are also encouraged to get involved in community development.

Most shakhas are in Hindi-speaking regions. As of 2016, Delhi had 1,898 shakhas. There are over 8,000 in Uttar Pradesh, 6,845 in Kerala, and 4,000 in Maharashtra. In late 2015, there were 1,421 shakhas in Bihar and 4,870 in Rajasthan. According to the RSS Annual Report of 2019, there were 84,877 shakhas in total. Of these, 59,266 met daily.

Uniform

An RSS volunteer taking an oath in the uniform shorts used until 2016.

In October 2016, the RSS changed its uniform. For 91 years, its members wore khaki shorts. They now wear dark brown trousers.

Anthem

The song Namastē Sadāvatsale Matrubhoomē is the anthem or prayer of the RSS. It salutes the motherland.

Related Organizations

Many organizations are inspired by the RSS's ideas. They call themselves members of the Sangh Parivar (Sangh family). Often, pracharaks (full-time RSS volunteers) helped start and manage these groups.

Some of these related organizations include:

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): India's ruling political party.
Bharatiya Kisan Sangh: Indian Farmers' Association.
Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh: Indian Labour Association.
Seva Bharti: Organization for service to the needy.
Rashtra Sevika Samiti: National Volunteer Association for Women.
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad: All India Students' Forum.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad: World Hindu Council.
Muslim Rashtriya Manch: Muslim National Forum, for Muslim members.
Bajrang Dal: A youth organization.
Vidya Bharati: Manages educational institutes.
Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram: Works for the improvement of tribal people.
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh: The overseas wing of the RSS.

The RSS usually supports the BJP. However, sometimes it has disagreed with the party and not endorsed it.

RSS Ideas and Goals

Mission and Values

Golwalkar described the RSS's mission as bringing back India's traditional values. These values include universalism, peace, and prosperity for everyone. The idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, meaning "the whole world is one family," is a key part of their beliefs.

The RSS leaders believe their immediate focus is on a Hindu revival. This would create an equal society and a strong India. Such an India could then share its philosophy with the world. So, they focus on social reform, helping those who are struggling financially, and protecting India's cultural diversity. The organization aims to unite all Hindus and build a strong India that helps the world. Golwalkar said that to share India's unique knowledge and work for world unity, India must be a "self-confident, resurgent and mighty nation."

In his book Vichardhara (ideology), Golwalkar explained the RSS's goal of bringing people together:

RSS has been making determined efforts to inculcate in our people the burning devotion for Bharat and its national ethos; kindle in them the spirit of dedication and sterling qualities and character; rouse social consciousness, mutual good-will, love and cooperation among them all; to make them realise that casts, creeds, and languages are secondary and that service to the nation is the supreme end and to mold their behaviour accordingly; instill in them a sense of true humility and discipline and train their bodies to be strong and robust so as to shoulder any social responsibility; and thus to create all-round Anushasana (Discipline) in all walks of life and build together all our people into a unified harmonious national whole, extending from Himalayas to Kanyakumari.

Golwalkar and Balasaheb Deoras, who were the second and third leaders of the RSS, spoke against the caste system. However, they did not support getting rid of it completely.

Views on Non-Hindu Communities

Golwalkar believed that non-Hindu people in India should adopt Hindu culture and languages. He thought they should respect Hindu religion and focus on glorifying Hindu culture. He said they should either stop being "foreigners" or live in the country under the Hindu nation. This meant they would have no special rights or privileges.

However, the RSS also includes Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, tribals, and Dalits as part of the Hindu community. This view is similar to how the term Hindu is used in the Indian Constitution.

Despite some strong statements, the RSS also has Muslim and Christian members. The organization believes that Indian Muslims and Christians are descendants of Hindus who converted to other faiths. As long as they agree with the RSS's beliefs, they can be members. They are still asked to attend the shakhas and recite Hindu hymns. The Muslim Rashtriya Manch is a part of the RSS for its Muslim members.

In January 2020, the RSS and other groups protested against installing a statue of Jesus at Kapala Hills in Kanakapura. This land was given to the Christian community by the government.

Views on LGBT Issues

Historically, the RSS had negative views on homosexuality. However, in recent years, it has changed its stance. The RSS now supports making homosexual acts legal. But it still opposes the legal recognition of same-sex marriages.

In 2016, an RSS member said that efforts to make homosexuality legal in India came from a "European mindset." In 2018, the RSS supported the court decision that made homosexual activity legal in India. But at the same time, it called homosexuality "unnatural" and opposed legalizing gay marriage.

In 2019, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat wrote in a book that homosexuality should be a "private matter." But he also argued that "gay marriages should not be institutionalised." In January 2023, Mohan Bhagwat again said that LGBT people "should have their own private and social space as they are humans and have the right to live as others."

In March 2023, RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale repeated the organization's opposition to legalizing gay marriage. He said that in Hinduism, marriage is a "Sanskar" (Hindu sacrament) that must involve two people of opposite genders. These comments supported the BJP-led government's argument against same-sex marriage in the Supreme Court of India. When the Supreme Court ruled against legalization later that year, the RSS "welcomed" the decision. They also opposed giving same-sex couples the right to adopt children.

Views on Jewish People

Before World War II, some RSS leaders admired Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. Golwalkar was inspired by Hitler's idea of racial purity. However, the RSS's view changed during the war. The organization strongly supported the British war effort against Hitler and the Axis Powers. RSS leaders also supported the creation of the Jewish State of Israel. Golwalkar admired Jewish people for keeping their "religion, culture and language."

Social Service and Reforms

Helping with Land Reforms

RSS volunteers took part in the Bhoodan movement. This movement was organized by Gandhian leader Vinoba Bhave. It encouraged land reform through voluntary donations. Golwalkar was inspired by this movement and promised the RSS's support. Many RSS volunteers, led by Nanaji Deshmukh, joined the movement. However, Golwalkar also criticized the Bhoodan movement at times. He felt it was too focused on countering Communism. He believed the movement should inspire people to rise above the appeal of Communism.

Reforms in the Caste System

The RSS has supported training Dalits and other backward classes to become temple priests. This position was traditionally only for Caste Brahmins. The RSS argues that the divisions caused by the caste system weaken Hindu values. They believe that reaching out to lower castes in this way will help solve this problem. The RSS has also criticized upper-caste Hindus who stop Dalits from worshipping in temples. They said that "even God will desert the temple in which Dalits cannot enter."

Some studies suggest that most early RSS leaders were Brahmins. This might be why the organization struggled to attract support from lower castes at first. However, other studies found that members from all castes have been welcomed and treated equally in the RSS.

In 1934, Mahatma Gandhi visited an RSS camp. He was surprised by their discipline and the "absence of untouchablity." He asked volunteers and found that they were living and eating together without caring about each other's castes.

Relief and Rehabilitation Work

RSS volunteers providing first aid to earthquake victims in Gujarat.

RSS volunteers helping during floods in North Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

The RSS played a big role in relief efforts after natural disasters. These include the 1971 Odisha cyclone, the 1977 Andhra Pradesh cyclone, and the 1984 Bhopal disaster. It also helped after the 2001 Gujarat earthquake and helped rebuild villages. About 35,000 RSS members helped in these efforts. Even their critics recognized their work. An RSS-linked charity, Seva Bharati, helped after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. They built shelters and provided food, clothes, and medical supplies. Seva Bharati also adopted 57 children (38 Muslims and 19 Hindus) from areas affected by conflict in Jammu and Kashmir. They provided them with education. They also helped victims of the Kargil War in 1999.

During the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, RSS members also protected and helped members of the Sikh community.

In 2006, the RSS helped people in Surat, Gujarat, who were affected by floods. They provided food, milk, and water. RSS volunteers also did relief work after floods in North Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in 2009. In 2013, after the Uttarakhand floods, RSS volunteers helped with relief efforts.

During the 2020 coronavirus lockdown in India, the RSS provided essential services. These included masks, soaps, and food to many people across India. In 2020, a Muslim woman from Jammu and Kashmir donated all her savings for her Hajj pilgrimage (about 5 lakh rupees) to the RSS-affiliated 'Sewa Bharati'. She was impressed by their welfare work during the lockdown. The number of Muslim students in schools run by Vidya Bharati, the RSS's education wing, increased by about 30% in Uttar Pradesh between 2017 and 2020.