OPINION | RSS at 100: Mohan Bhagwat’s dharmic vision from AI to agriculture

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

In an outreach programme organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) recently, as part of its centenary celebrations, its Sarsanghchalak (Chief Mentor), Mohan Bhagwat, spoke extensively and candidly on a host of issues. Many of these are useful indicators for understanding the RSS’s economic worldview, especially in the context of volatile geopolitics and disruptive technologies.

What Bhagwat said at this two-day event in Mumbai on 7–8 February this year presents an economic outlook rooted in decentralisation and technological adaptation.

We have summarised for our readers what the Sarsanghchalak said on various economic and allied issues, presenting a thought-provoking intellectual and ideological matrix in which ancient wisdom coexists with modern innovation, ensuring social harmony. It is important to underline the fact that these observations were made by the Sarsanghchalak while replying to various questions fielded by prominent members of society from different walks of life who attended the event.

Technology, Employment, and a Decentralised Economy

Even with new technologies such as AI emerging, we will not allow job opportunities to diminish. In this spirit, we must think and act on this issue. Saying that we will not allow technology to come at all is not the right approach.

We have many hands here; they need work. An empty mind becomes the devil’s workshop. That is why Naxalism—Left-wing extremism—arises, violence grows, and atrocities against women increase. There is a need for decentralisation of the economy.

The dignity of those who work with their hands must increase.

Our focus should not be on ‘mass production’, but on ‘production by the masses’. For this, we need to change our mindset. In Bharat, we have more working hands than machines. We must build an economic system in which these idle hands are given meaningful work.

Agriculture, Rural Development, and Local Enterprise

When farming is practised on an organic or natural basis, costs are reduced. Using your own seeds and fertilisers means you are the true owner of your entire farming process. There are many such examples across Bharat. We must reduce the cost of farming.

When there is proper storage and processing of agricultural produce, farmers receive better prices for their crops. This work should be undertaken by the government. When the cost of farming decreases, farmers do not need to take loans.

Through the dedicated efforts of RSS volunteers, a spirit of development has begun to rise in nearly 5,000 villages across Bharat. Around 350 of these villages have now become inspiring examples for others. Here, people came together, set aside their differences, and uplifted their villages through determination and hard work. In many areas—such as economic progress, agriculture, values and sanskars (cultural ethics), freedom from addiction, and social harmony—remarkable changes are visible.

Meanwhile, campaigns such as ‘One District One Product’ are proving effective in promoting traditional businesses and advancing women’s empowerment across Bharat.

Rethinking GDP, Wealth, and Dharmic Economics

GDP is not an appropriate measure of growth; it is incomplete. It does not account for the hard work or production undertaken by women. This method of measurement must be corrected.

In earlier times, one’s income was divided into six parts: one-sixth for oneself, one-sixth for the family, one-sixth for Bhagwan (God), one-sixth for savings, one-sixth for dharma and society, and one-sixth for the Raja (the governing authority). These six parts constitute a balanced and Dharmic way to manage income.

Wealth has three destinies—donation, enjoyment, or destruction. For one who neither donates nor enjoys it, the third fate—destruction—awaits.

Knowledge should come from all over the world, but it must be adopted only after careful testing and understanding. Without recognising the aspirations of our own Bharat, our traditions, and the welfare of our farmers, it is not right to accept something merely because it is new. That is why it is important for us to remain sensitive and thoughtful.

Geopolitics, Environment, and Global Commitments

On the India–US trade deal, Bhagwat said: “No country can live in isolation today. In any deal, you gain something and you give up something. The goal is to ensure that Bharat does not suffer any real loss. We too will have to act in the same way. This government stands firm and does not bow down.”

On environmental protection, the Sarsanghchalak emphasised: “Bharat is the first country to fulfil the promises of the Paris Agreement.” (To tackle climate change and its adverse impacts, world leaders at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris reached a breakthrough on 12 December 2015: the historic Paris Agreement. The Agreement sets long-term goals to guide all nations to substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, holding the increase in global temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, recognising that this would significantly reduce risks and impacts.)

He added: “The environment is not just the Sangh’s concern, nor should only the Sangh think about it. The entire society should reflect on it.” He also mentioned that environmental protection is now one of the key activities of the RSS.

Earlier Sanghnomics columns can be read here.

(Arun Anand has authored two books on the RSS. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive.)

Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.