Address by the Pujaniya Sarsanghchalak ji at the Shri Vijayadashami Utsav 2026

 

ॐ

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh

Vijayadashmi Utsav, Nagpur.

(Ashwin Shuddha Dashmi, Yugabda 5128, Tuesday, 20th October, 2026)

 

 

 

We have gathered here today to celebrate Vijayadashami which marks the concluding of the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This year marks the 650th birth anniversary year of Sant Shiromani Ravidas Ji Maharaj. Various programmes are being organised by Shakhas to acquaint the people with the life, teachings, and contributions of Sant Ravidas Ji. Through his own life of hard work, penance, and sacrifice, and by setting a personal example of unwavering commitment, he awakened in society a spirit of devotion, steadfast adherence to one’s own faith and duty, and social harmony. He did so at a time when the country was suffering under the oppression of foreign invaders and the persecution by them of its people who were following their own Dharma. The teachings imparted by Sant Ravidas Ji, both through his words and through the example of his own life, continue to inspire and guide us even today. This is also a year of remembrance of two great personalities who laid down their lives in defence of their faith and dharma. 100 years have passed since the martyrdom of Swami Shraddhanand Ji—a revered ascetic and Sannyasi of the Arya Samaj, a passionate and uncompromising defender of dharma, a learned educationist, a valiant freedom fighter, and the pioneer of the Shuddhi Movement. The birth centenary of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati Ji Maharaj is also being observed this year who lived among the forest-dwelling communities of Odisha, dedicating himself selflessly to the service of the people there, and ultimately laid down his life in their midst. This year also marks the 200th birth anniversary of the late Shri Raj Narayan Basu of Bengal, the inspiration behind and founder of the ‘Hindu Mela’ through which he sought to awaken in the society a deeper consciousness of the Self—an awareness for the protection of which these great personalities had made the supreme sacrifice.

 

For the past hundred years, the work of the Sangh, too, has been organising and strengthening Bharat on the foundation of this very sense of the Selfhood, of identity, and of its ethos. As part of the centenary celebrations of the Sangh, five life transformative initiatives have been identified—initiatives that were first cultivated among the Swayamsevaks and will subsequently be carried forward by them to the society. One of these is precisely the same initiative to awaken a deeper awareness of the Selfhood and to promote the practice of Swadeshi.

 

 

In our Constitution, we have described ourselves as One people—as “We, the People of India”—a society that, despite its immense diversity, is bound together by a deep sense of emotional unity. The very same Constitution, in its guiding principles, clearly envisions the need to continually strengthen and deepen this bond of unity among our people. Even though we possessed the profound realisation that gives rise to this emotional bond, as well as the world’s most sublime philosophy that articulates and elucidates that realisation, our conduct, unfortunately, became completely different from it and sank to a very low level. As a result, we fell so far from the exalted position of Vishwaguru—that we were compelled to endure centuries of foreign subjugation. Through Herculean efforts and countless sacrifices, we have freed ourselves from those difficult times and have once again embarked upon the path of unity and progress. Therefore, we must overcome our forgetfulness, clearly understand that fundamental truth, embrace it with conviction, and strive to embody its values and excellence in every dimension of our individual lives. When we look at the circumstances before us today, it becomes evident that the dedication, discipline, and sacrifice required of us now will have to be even greater than what was demanded in the struggle for our country’s independence.

 

In a country like Bharat, blessed with immense diversity in terms of faiths, sects, traditions, regions, castes, languages, food habits, customs, and ways of life, an outlook that embraces all these diversities, respects them, and regards them with a genuine sense of belonging can alone truly serve as the foundation of our unity. Fortunately, Bharat has, since time immemorial, carried forward a spiritual tradition that has been continually illuminated and strengthened by the direct realisations of countless spiritual luminaries. This tradition teaches us that, just as the diversity of creation is natural yet ever-changing, the underlying unity of all existence is an eternal, immutable, and unchanging truth. As beings endowed with the capacity for reflection and thought, human beings have the ability to experience this unity both within themselves and in the world around them. It is through this realisation alone that the timeless quest of humans for eternal and abiding happiness finds its true fulfillment and reaches its culmination.

 

 

 

Bharat’s inherent temperament to respect and accept all forms of diversity, to preserve and protect them, and at the same time to remain flexible enough to change what is transient or out of date with the times, is a result of this eternal Sanatana vision. As and when this spirit has been at its strongest among the people of Bharat, then and at those times Bharat was an exemplary nation to the world in every respect. When, through self-forgetfulness, fragmentation, and the loss of mutual contact with one another, we became weakened, narrow-minded, arrogant, or consumed by fear, we abandoned this way of life—and that is when our decline began. We must once again remember the very foundation of our existence and identity, organise ourselves around it, and resolve to work together for the welfare and well-being of one another.

 

 

Programs were undertaken on the occasion of Sangh’s centenary to expand Shakhas and the outreach of Swayamsevaks. At the same time, programs were planned and implemented to create widespread awareness about Bharat, Hindu and Sangh, both within the country and across the world. The report of the programs received so far is as follows: Sampark Abhiyan – (Door to Door Campaign) 10,19,88,511 houses were contacted in 4,61,527 Villages and 41,076 Bastis (Urban areas). Prabhudha Nagarik Goshthi – were conducted in 1,117 Districts wherein 4,26,497 prominent personalities were present. Sadbhavana Baithak – was held in 5,036 Khand(Taluk). Hindu Sammelan were held in 34,187 Mandals. Yuva Sammelan – 39,25,225 Youth participated.

 

Some Sangh Karyakartas also undertook visits to the so-called developed countries of the West, with the objective of providing their societies with correct information about Bharat, Hindutva, and Sangh. There too, the true and authentic understanding of our Sanatan, all-embracing and benevolent Bharatiya culture; the inclusive and all-encompassing nature of Hindu society; and the objectives and work of the Sangh was placed before the people. A sense of curiosity about Bharat is awakening across the world. Despite being materially prosperous, these countries are beset with concerns because of an incomplete worldview based on materialism, individualism, and unrestrained consumption. They have no answers to questions such as how to manage diversity, how to harmonize development with the environment, how to behave with a sense of belonging with those who are not like them, and how to prevent the erosion of family life and the values imparted to the new generations. That is why the world today is witnessing geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, environmental crises, and destruction arising from struggle for dominance. They are aware that Bharat has answers to all these problems. Therefore, the views expressed by our Karyakartas were listened to with keen interest there, and discussions have also ensued thereafter. Our Karyakartas are engaged in formulating plans to ensure that all forms of dialogue initiated on the occasion of the centenary, both within the country and across the world, continue steadily and uninterruptedly in the future as well.

 

All five initiatives (Panch Parivartan) —namely, Samajik Samarasata (Social Harmony), Kutumba Prabodhan , Prayavaran (Environment), Swa-Bodh and Swadeshi, and Nagarik Anushasan (Civic Discipline)—have been welcomed by all sections and strata of the society. Their need has also been felt in other countries of the world. These are not merely programs to be undertaken for a year; rather, they represent a way of life and conduct aimed at bringing about a transformation in our behaviour. These efforts, which transform actions into habits and habits into character, must be pursued continuously in all dimensions of life; only then will meaningful change come about. In our society, habits of a Dharmik way of life that holds the world together have traditionally been passed on from one generation to the next through the transmission of Sanskars.

 

 

 

 

In the present times, the transmission of such Sanskars through elders in the family, through school curricula, or through the social environment is diminishing day by day. With the advancement of science and technology, all kinds of information and news are now accessible to everyone through social media. In many countries, the younger generation absorbs the information received through these media without exercising discernment between what is appropriate and what is inappropriate. Having experienced the adverse consequences of this, those countries have introduced certain regulations and restrictions on such media platforms. In our own country too, society is increasingly recognizing the need for such measures, particularly with regard to OTT platforms. The government should give this matter due consideration. At the same time, even when information is freely available, the younger generation must be taught to exercise discernment between what is appropriate and what is inappropriate. Various adverse consequences in personal, family, and social life are visible due to the absence of such discernment. It is this same lack of discernment that is causing the younger generation across the world to fall prey to addiction to intoxicating drugs. Drug addiction is a serious national problem, and the government, administration, and the society must timely address it and start taking measures to overcome it. The present generation of parents and elders in the society must impart this discernment to the younger generation, while the younger generation, for its part, must keep itself away from all influences and activities that can lead to the development of such harmful habits. With this perspective, Swayamsevaks will make efforts to bring together all those working towards resolving this problem in Bharat and build a nationwide movement to counter it.

 

In the times to come, the great responsibility of building a Bharat that attains supreme prosperity and fulfils its role as a Vishwaguru will rest on the shoulders of the coming generation. To accept this challenge and respond to it successfully, our youth must be fully equipped in every respect.

 

Advances in science and technology help human beings lead a materially comfortable life and refine their conduct based on knowledge and reason. Therefore, new knowledge, scientific developments, and technology should be welcomed and embraced. However, it must also be remembered that technology is merely a means. When development is pursued solely from a consumerist or materialistic perspective, the comforts and conveniences it brings may come at the cost of far greater harm. The terrible tragedy that Nepal has recently had to endure, claiming the lives of thousands of people, can be attributed, at least in part, to the consequences of one-sided development across the Himalayan region, which stretches through several countries, including Bharat, Tibet, Bhutan, and China. We all feel the profound sorrow caused by such a massive loss of human life, and we naturally come together to provide relief and assistance to those affected in the aftermath of such tragedies. However, it is essential that we develop a holistic and balanced vision of development. It is the human being who determines the appropriate direction in which a means is to be used and decides what is right or wrong in its use. Therefore, along with acquiring knowledge and technology, discernment necessary for their proper use should also be cultivated, as well as the ethical and practical discipline governing its use, should be put into practice. Otherwise, the knowledge of atomic science will produce more life-destroying weapons than clean energy, and even highly useful technologies such as artificial intelligence will continue to be used to create means of misleading, deceiving, and spreading falsehood among people.

 

It is for this reason that Bharat’s Sanatan holistic vision of life, by its sense of wholeness and oneness, seeks to see a culture rooted in the values of harmony and restraint, flourish throughout the entire world. Our ancestors described this vision as “Sa Prathama Sanskriti Vishvavara”—the foremost culture, worthy of embracing the whole world. Bharat must, on the basis of this vision, establish before the world a new model of holistic and integrated development that can serve as an example for all.

 

 

This eternal worldview is the very consciousness of our nation, which today is known throughout the world, including among the people of Bharat, as the Hindu worldview. It does not adhere to any particular mode of worship, any specific food habits or lifestyle, or any particular social or political ideology, nor does it make adherence to any particular caste, language, or region a prerequisite. Transcending all these distinctions, spirituality, humanity, and universal brotherhood are its defining characteristics. It is this very spirit, present among the people of Bharat, that has given rise to the definition of Bharatiyata: Bharat is the land of those who are engrossed in the light of knowledge, where “Bha” signifies the light of knowledge. Remembering and nurturing this Hindu spirit, which can and has the desire to unite the entire world, is an essential prerequisite for the progress and unity of Bharat. In Bharat, this spirit finds expression in an intense devotion to the motherland, a sense of pride amongst us Bharatiyas in our shared ancestral heritage and ideals, and a continuous endeavour to shape our lives in accordance with the values of Bharat’s eternal culture. Since ancient times, the people inhabiting the land of Bharat have lived as one society, guided by this very worldview.

 

 

The bond we share with one another and our relationship with Bharat are living bonds, rooted in the heart and therefore unconditional. They are one-sided in nature, as expressed in the words: “May your glory remain eternal, O Mother; whether we live for a few more days or not.” Relationships founded on a sense of belonging, affection, and kinship are never subject to conditions. We simply need to remain steadfast on these foundations on which relationships develop. Our freedom fighters demonstrated this very spirit of complete and unconditional devotion to the nation. It was this devotion that ultimately compelled the British government to leave Bharat.

 

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is working to awaken this very Hindu spirit and build the entire society into a well-organized and strong society. Without strength even the sustenance, prestige, and protection of individual life to global life is not possible. Therefore, advocating or working towards building an organized and strong Hindu society is not contrary to the spirit of respecting all faiths or to the emotional unity of the nation. Since the Hindu society’s worldview and nature are inclusive, we must understand that such efforts will only strengthen the emotional unity, goodwill, and good conduct among all of us. It is this very nature and these values, passed down from generation to generation, that inspires Captain Smit Machchar to put his own life in danger and devote himself to protect human lives.

 

 

This is not merely a matter of thought or words. This spirit must be reflected in the conduct of each and every one of us. Our Bharat is vast, adorned with diverse forms of nature and a rich variety of natural environments. It is a vibrant and colourful society comprising groups that follow diverse faiths, belong to different regions, speak different languages, have different castes, food habits, and customs and traditions—yet together, we form one society. In our mutual interactions, this goodwill and sense of belonging must be present and expressed in our thoughts, words, and deeds.

 

The apprehensions we harbour towards one another, rooted in the history of the past, keep us apart. While acknowledging the facts of history, we must conduct ourselves in such a way that existing knots are untangled and no new ones are formed. We must keep distance from those engage in or who provoke us over trivial matters and instigate or create conflicts. In such a vast and diverse society, creating such an atmosphere of mutual trust and harmony will take time. However, all those who aspire for the welfare of the nation and the world must remain composed and steadfast while handling oneself and the society and keep working. In our dealings with the members of society, we the ordinary people or those in government and administration, must be particularly mindful of our conduct, especially when implementing any specific campaign or policy in the society. Our behaviour should always be courteous and considerate, reflect a sense of belonging, and demonstrate due regard for the dignity and respect of citizens. We must remain conscious of this all the time.

 

There are also ongoing attempts to cast doubt on the goodwill of Sangh and the sincerity of its intentions by citing certain undesirable and/or unexpected incidents occurring here and there, with which the Sangh has neither any connection nor any association or support. The work of the Sangh is founded on pure, selfless, and virtuous love. It is carried forward through the dedication, service, and hard work of its Swayamsevaks. The Sangh seeks nothing for itself. Guided by its conviction in a fundamental truth and its commitment to establishing that truth, Swayamsevaks will continue to work with faith and confidence until the goal is achieved.

 

I am reiterating these points, which all of you already understand well, because an atmosphere prevails—or is being created—in which even discerning and sensible people are liable to become distracted. A storm has swept in from the West, driven by a demonic resolve to destroy and devastate all that is decent, auspicious, and rooted in cultural and human values, both in Bharat and across the world. Even the so-called developed nations across the world are afflicted by this storm and find themselves helpless before it. However, over the past decades, Bharat has gradually carved out a place for itself in the world through its own strength and sound policies. The collective endeavour of Bharat’s society is bearing fruit in every sphere, driven by strong policies, leadership, national pride, and an awakening of its awareness of its responsibilities towards the world. As Bharat continues to progress in this manner, the designs of those forces that seek to create instability among the nations of the world and install their own proxies in positions of influence, so that they can serve as instruments for advancing their selfish interests, will be thwarted, and their operations will be shut down. These demonic forces are well aware of this reality. That is why Bharat is their decisive and most formidable competitor, as well as their ultimate and most significant target. They devise plans and work towards finding ways to dismantle Bharat, Hindu society, and Sangh. Some individuals whose nature and disposition align with theirs come forward to assist them in their efforts. Driven by petty political interests and a lack of discernment, some ambitious political leaders also join them. In our vast society problems do exist. There are likely to be numerous shortcomings in the system as well. It is only natural that these may lead to agitations. However, such agitations should aim to provide solutions. Whether it is a group within the society leading the agitation, or the government and administration taking action to maintain peace and order, or political leaders playing their part, we must ensure that our actions do not create discord, animosity, resentment, bitterness, or divisions within our one, undivided society, even when emotions run high, our actions must remain within the bounds of our Constitution and the law, and our speech, conduct, and behaviour must always reflect the dignity and decorum of a civilised discourse, We must remain mindful of this. We must be vigilant that the lure of votes, cheap popularity, or political gains does not overpower our prudence and goodwill.

 

 

Experience shows that it is neither the government alone that can resolve all the problems of society, nor is it true that problems can be resolved only through agitations. Solutions can also emerge through the active participation of the society and dialogue amongst its members.

 

The Swayamsevaks of Sangh strive to foster this kind of community-led initiative within the society. The experience of such efforts by Swayamsevaks, particularly in rural schools, has been encouraging. A report of the study conducted across 1296 schools spanning 210 districts of 21 Sangh Prants has indicated that, wherever villagers participated and Swayamsevaks extended their support, improvements were observed in student attendance, learning levels of students scaled up, and parental involvement increased. Along with supporting education and providing basic infrastructure, the community also contributed to sports, cultural activities, and value-based programmes. Efforts towards the holistic development of villages, based on the collective participation of villagers, are already underway in thousands of villages. Across all the service initiatives undertaken by Swayamsevaks throughout the country, efforts are directed towards strengthening a sense of self-respect, self-reliance, and a spirit of contribution and participation in the life of the nation among our fellow countrymen. These initiatives also seek to equip them with the strength and capabilities needed to translate these ideals into practice.

 

 

Behind these efforts lies the inspiration that, we too have a responsibility to guide the society and the nation, since this country and society are our own. The same spirit should also guide social movements. However, when this is not the case and a movement becomes a tool of politics, driven by hostility and antagonism towards an individual, a group, or an ideology, forces seeking to undermine Bharat take advantage of the situation. Deepening the differences of opinion and turning them into mutual hostility, evoke a feeling of victimhood in the context of various problems, and thereby creating faithlessness towards the systems of the country, and create an atmosphere of discord, intense discontent, separatism, disorder, and chaos in the country is their modus operandi. Global powers that wish to keep Bharat subdued also occasionally play their part in this process. I am reminded of the closing lines of a very old Marathi song, composed by Shri P. Savalaram and sung by Smt. Asha Bhosle:

 

 

(Remain ever vigilant, keeping your eyes focused on a single goal.)

 

It is clear that we must protect our mutual goodwill by remaining alert and safeguarding ourselves against the intellectual confusion created by such divisive tendencies. We must remain vigilant, avoid being disturbed or provoked in any way and with our aspiration and goal of seeing Bharat attain the status of Vishwaguru always firmly in our minds, continue striving in our efforts. That society alone which remains firmly rooted in mutual affection, discipline, and unwavering commitment to its national goal achieves unity and attains invincible strength. Sangh realizes that, in ancient times, our society realized the truth of the unity of existence. To impart this experience of oneness to the world from time to time, our society has traditionally lived a life that is diverse in form yet harmonious in essence, accepting, respecting, and honouring all.

 

 

When we kept this life mission of our society in mind, we together emerged victorious. When Lord Curzon sought to partition of Bengal along communal lines, to drive apart Muslims from Hindus, the society firmly opposed the division of one land - one people on communal grounds. The British government was compelled to withdraw their proposal for partition. It was during that period when ‘Vande Mataram’ emerged as a symbol of that very unity and patriotism. The partition was defeated. Why, then, could the same outcome not be achieved in 1947? Because those who wanted to divide us and keep us embroiled in conflict instilled in our minds the notion that because we are distinct, we are separate; because we appear different, we must indeed be different and apart. Under the influence of communal and extremist ideologies, we too came to believe that since we appear different, we are, in reality, not one but separate from one another. Driven by the obsession with separatism, combined with the lust for political dominance, and the pursuit of selfish interests, we gradually began to reject the very foundations that had held us together as one. A mindset of appeasement continued to embolden this divisive mentality. Ultimately, the country was partitioned. Yet the peace and the happiness of a separate, autonomous existence that had been held out as the promise of this divisive and destructive game never materialized. Instead, we brought upon ourselves enduring unrest along the borders and within the country, mutual distrust, insecurity, and constant strife over even the smallest of issues.

 

Vande Mataram which defeated the divisive conspiracy of the division of Bengal continues to be a powerful source of same inspiration of unity even today. It is our national song, and there should be no hesitation or objection to sing it in its entirety, with pride and in a loud, clear voice.

 

Devotion to Bharat as our motherland, pride in and emulation of the lives of our common Bharatiya ancestors, and the shaping of our lives in accordance with the universal human values of our eternal Bharatiya culture have always kept us united. These foundations are not in conflict with all our diversities of faith, region, language, caste, and so on, and transcend them all. Through constant reflection on these foundations, understanding them, and embracing them wholeheartedly, we will continue to strengthen not only our unity but also the distinct identity of each one of us. We must not repeatedly make the mistake of abandoning these foundations of our unity, and stumble over the same obstacles again and again either out of misplaced fears that our smaller identities are under threat or by allowing ourselves to be misled by the pride associated with them.

 

We must abandon our individual egos, the misconceptions we harbour about our own and others’ forms of worship, and the tendency to regard diversity as separation. Wholeheartedly embracing this threefold bond that unites us all—devotion to Bharat, pride in our ancestors, and commitment to Bharatiya culture—we must tread on the path of thriving for our nation.

 

 

The root of the problems that trouble and terrify the world today lie in its incomplete outlook on life. Otherwise, when it comes to human effort and endeavour, we too have much to learn from the rest of the world. Along with learning from others, it is essential that we should clearly understand and embrace the distinct nature of our national identity, preserve our unity and quality, and devote ourselves to collective, organized endeavour. We have to build a Bharat that can provide a path of development complete in all aspects with the holistic wisdom of Dharma and offer the world a new path towards happiness and peace. Grounded in our national values, we have to set a new path of development for the entire world through our own model. Whatever we do in life must be par excellence in quality and must serve the interests of the security and unity of society and the nation, social justice, progress and prestige. We must remain constantly vigilant of this responsibility. Bharat’s supreme glory and its emergence as Vishwaguru will be realized only through the dedicated hard work of each one of us. There is no alternative, nor is there any shortcut to achieving this goal. Even the most ordinary person can fulfill his duties by bringing about change through small, virtuous actions in their day-to-day personal, family, social, and professional life. The initiatives under Panch Parivartan (Five Transformations), along with the various activities undertaken by Swayamsevaks, follow this very approach, guiding individuals step by step along the path of service to and devotion for the nation.

After completing the programmes and achieving the objectives of the centenary of its work, Sangh will move forward towards building an organized, hard working, victorious force of the society.