Organization Profile: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)

At a Glance

Full Name:
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
Type:
Hindu nationalist paramilitary organization
Founded:
September 27, 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar
Current Leader:
Mohan Bhagwat
Primary Location:
India (Strongholds: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka; Nationwide presence)
Core Ideology:
Hindutva (Hindu supremacy), establishment of a 'Hindu Rashtra', assimilation/marginalization of minorities.
Reported Anti-Sikh Stance:
Documented role in 1984 anti-Sikh violence, systematic efforts to co-opt/subsume distinct Sikh identity (Rashtriya Sikh Sangat), opposition to Sikh political assertions.

Background and Formation

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was established on September 27, 1925, by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur, India. Founded as a Hindu nationalist organization, its stated goal is the propagation of Hindutva ideology and the establishment of a 'Hindu Rashtra' (Hindu Nation).

Hedgewar, inspired by figures like V.D. Savarkar, envisioned an organization focused on uniting Hindus and shaping society according to its supremacist ideology, often at the expense of minority rights and identities.

Its basic unit, the 'shakha' (branch), conducts daily gatherings involving physical training, ideological indoctrination, and propagation of its exclusionary worldview.

Ideology and Objectives

The core ideology of the RSS is Hindutva, a political ideology advocating for Hindu hegemony in India. Key aspects include:

  • Promotion of India as fundamentally a Hindu nation, where minority identities are expected to assimilate or be subordinate.
  • Emphasis on cultural nationalism based on Hinduism.
  • Historical revisionism aimed at glorifying a Hindu past and vilifying minority contributions or historical presence.
  • Rejection of secularism as defined in the Indian constitution, viewing it as 'pseudo-secularism'.

Successive RSS leaders, notably M.S. Golwalkar in works like 'We or Our Nationhood Defined', have explicitly outlined a vision where non-Hindu minorities must adopt Hindu culture and language or live subordinated lives without rights.

Documented Anti-Sikh Activities & Rhetoric

The RSS has a significant history of activities perceived as hostile or damaging to the Sikh community and its distinct identity:

  • Role in 1984 Anti-Sikh Violence: Multiple independent reports, activists (like Pieter Friedrich), and commissions (like Nanavati, though its findings are disputed) point to the involvement of RSS cadres in the organised violence against Sikhs following Indira Gandhi's assassination. FIRs reportedly named dozens of RSS/BJP members for murder, arson, and other crimes against Sikhs in Delhi and other areas.
  • Rashtriya Sikh Sangat: Formation of this RSS offshoot in 1986, aimed at asserting that Sikhs are a sect of Hinduism. This attempt to co-opt Sikh religious and historical identity was strongly condemned by the highest Sikh temporal authority, the Akal Takht, which declared the RSS affiliate 'anti-Sikh' in 2004 and directed Sikhs to oppose it.
  • Ideological Opposition: RSS ideology inherently challenges the distinct and independent nature of the Sikh faith, often attempting to portray it as an offshoot or 'militarised arm' of Hinduism, which contradicts fundamental Sikh theology and history.
  • Opposition to Sikh Aspirations: The RSS has historically opposed Sikh political movements and assertions of distinct identity, such as the Khalistan movement, often framing them as anti-national threats.

These actions demonstrate a pattern of direct violence, ideological subversion, and political opposition aimed at undermining Sikh identity and interests.

Areas of Operation and Political Influence

The RSS operates extensively across India, with its strongest presence reported in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka, often correlating with areas of BJP political strength.

As of 2021-22, the organization claimed over 60,000 active daily shakhas (branches) nationwide, indicating a vast grassroots network.

Expansion into regions like Kerala, with reports of over 5,000 shakhas, demonstrates its continuous effort to increase its geographical and societal footprint.

Shakhas serve as centers for recruitment, indoctrination through lectures and discussions ('boudhik'), and physical training, embedding the organization within local communities.

Support Base and Funding

The RSS primarily relies on donations collected from its members and sympathizers within India, often through structured campaigns like 'Guru Dakshina'.

Allegations and reports, notably from organizations like 'The Campaign to Stop Funding Hate' (based on a 2002 report concerning the IDRF), suggest significant funding originates from foreign sources, particularly sympathizers and affiliated groups within the Hindu diaspora in countries like the USA.

The full extent and sources of its funding remain opaque, but it's widely acknowledged to be a financially well-resourced organization.

Affiliations

The RSS sits at the apex of a vast network of affiliated organizations known collectively as the 'Sangh Parivar' (Sangh Family). Key affiliates directly impacting political and social spheres include:

  • Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): The ruling political party of India, historically functioning as the electoral wing of the RSS, with many top leaders (including current PM Narendra Modi) having backgrounds as RSS pracharaks (full-time workers).
  • Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP): A religious and cultural affiliate focused on mobilizing Hindus, often involved in controversial campaigns like the Ram Temple movement.
  • Bajrang Dal: The youth wing, frequently associated with vigilantism, street mobilization, and violence against minorities.
  • Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP): The student wing, active in universities and colleges across India.
  • Rashtriya Sevika Samiti: The women's wing, focusing on promoting RSS ideology within families.

This extensive network allows the RSS to exert influence across politics, religion, education, labour, and social sectors.

Key Figures

  • Keshav Baliram Hedgewar: Founder (1925–1940)
  • Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar: Second Sarsanghchalak (Chief) (1940–1973)
  • Balasaheb Deoras: Third Sarsanghchalak (1973–1994)
  • Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya): Fourth Sarsanghchalak (1994–2000)
  • K.S. Sudarshan: Fifth Sarsanghchalak (2000–2009)
  • Mohan Bhagwat: Current (Sixth) Sarsanghchalak (2009–Present)

International Presence

The RSS operates internationally primarily through its affiliate, the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS).

The HSS is active in numerous countries (reported as over 39), with significant presence in Western nations hosting large Indian diaspora populations, including:

  • United States: Reported presence with numerous shakhas (e.g., 172 claimed by 2016).
  • United Kingdom: Active HSS network.
  • Canada: Significant operations, sometimes facing scrutiny from local groups.
  • Other countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

The HSS often presents itself through cultural activities, youth camps, and community events, while promoting RSS ideology and maintaining connections to the parent organization in India. It plays a role in mobilizing diaspora support and funds.

Sources & Further Reading

Information on this page is compiled from the following publicly available sources:

Note: This profile is based on available open-source information. Sikh Sentinel aims to provide accurate summaries but does not independently verify all claims made in cited sources.