RSS brought BJP’s 'acche din', not the other way round: Mohan Bhagwat

Bhagwat said the RSS remained steadfast to causes such as the Ram temple movement, adding that those who stood by the issue eventually benefited.

• RSS chief Bhagwat credits BJP's rise to decades of Sangh's ideological work
• RSS seeks social unity, not political power or pressure group influence.
• Bhagwat calls for Bharat Ratna for Veer Savarkar, stressing global Hindu unity

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The Bharatiya Janata Party’s political rise and "acche din" were the result of the RSS' decades-long ideological commitment and organisational work, and not because the BJP came to power, stated Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, on Sunday.

Speaking at a two-day lecture series titled ‘100 Years of Sangh Journey – New Horizons’ to mark the RSS’ centenary, Bhagwat said the Sangh’s sustained efforts had laid the groundwork for the BJP’s success.

"When asked whether ‘acche din’ came for the RSS after the BJP came to power, I said no. Achhe din did not come because of the BJP; it is the other way round. Our achhe din came from our hard work," Bhagwat said.

He said the RSS remained steadfast to causes such as the Ram temple movement, adding that those who stood by the issue eventually benefited. "We remained committed to the Ram temple movement, and those who supported it benefited. This happened because of the hard work and unwavering dedication of volunteers," he said.

While praising the BJP on several counts, Bhagwat underlined that the RSS does not seek power, function as a pressure group, or engage directly in politics.

"Many people believe Narendra Modi became Prime Minister because of the RSS. But the political party is a separate entity and not an organ of the RSS," he said, noting that while many swayamsevaks are active in public life, the Sangh itself remains non-political.

Reiterating the organisation’s core objective, Bhagwat said the RSS was founded in 1925 by Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar to unite society, not to react against any individual or group. "The Sangh is not against anyone. Our aim is only social unity. Once that task is achieved, we have no other agenda," he said.

Reflecting on Hedgewar’s thinking, Bhagwat said the RSS founder believed political freedom alone was insufficient unless deeper societal weaknesses were addressed. Hedgewar identified loss of unity, discipline, hygiene, rising selfishness, lack of knowledge and poverty as key challenges, which led to the formation of the RSS on Vijayadashami in 1925.

Bhagwat also rejected claims that the RSS functions as a paramilitary force. "We are not an akhada or a paramilitary organisation. Shakhas are daily gatherings meant for physical fitness, discipline and character-building, where people from all backgrounds work together," he said.

On ideology, the RSS chief pitched for global Hindu unity and reiterated the demand for conferring the Bharat Ratna on Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar, clarifying that he was not part of the decision-making process but would raise the issue if given the opportunity.