Nagpur: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said that despite temptations of power and repeated invitations to enter politics, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has remained committed to its core mission of vyakti nirman (character building) for the past 100 years.
Addressing swayamsevaks at the annual Vijayadashmi event in Nagpur, which also marked the RSS centenary, Bhagwat said his speech reflected conclusions drawn from the organisation’s century-long experience.
He emphasised the need for gradual reforms in the global system to avoid disruption, urging India to present a holistic and integrated development model to the world. Dharma, he said, goes beyond worship, customs, or traditions—it is a universal principle that connects all.
According to Bhagwat, true social transformation comes through living examples of integrity, selflessness, and social leadership. This, he said, has been the purpose of the RSS since its founding, and its shakhas continue to nurture character and unity despite challenges.
Reiterating that vyakti nirman is the right path for lasting change, Bhagwat noted that this has been the shared experience of swayamsevaks over the past century.
Highlighting India’s diversity of languages, faiths, lifestyles, and traditions as a source of strength, he said every community—including those who adopted foreign religions—forms part of a larger Indian identity. He urged harmony, mutual respect, and the rejection of violence.
Condemning hooliganism and attempts to create communal rifts, Bhagwat called for impartial enforcement of law. He also urged responsible citizens and the younger generation to remain vigilant, organised, and ready to intervene when necessary.
