Bengaluru: Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed the ongoing debate over the organisation’s legal status and tax exemptions, providing a detailed explanation of its functioning, recognition, and broader ideological mission. Speaking at an event titled “100 Years of Sangh Journey: New Horizons” in Bengaluru, Bhagwat responded to questions regarding why the RSS is not formally registered as a legal entity, its exemption from income tax, and its core objectives in the socio-political landscape of India.

Bhagwat began by highlighting the historical and cultural context of registration. “Many things are not registered. Even Hindu dharma is not registered,” he said, referencing India’s ancient religious and social systems that operate outside formal governmental recognition. He argued that the RSS, despite not being formally registered, has achieved implicit recognition due to its historical significance and repeated confrontations with the state. “We were banned thrice; hence the government has recognised us. If we were not there, whom did they ban?” Bhagwat said, referring to the bans imposed on the organisation at various points in India’s post-independence history.

He contextualised the RSS’s establishment in 1925 under British rule, suggesting that formal registration with colonial authorities was neither feasible nor customary at the time. After India’s independence in 1947, Bhagwat noted, there was no legal requirement for voluntary associations like the RSS to register under the law. He maintained that the organisation’s continuity and growth over a century are testament to its legitimacy and societal recognition, despite debates over formal documentation.

On Tax Exemption

Bhagwat also addressed questions regarding the RSS’s tax status. He pointed out that the income tax department and various courts have consistently recognised the organisation as a body composed of individuals rather than a commercial entity, and therefore exempted it from taxation. This recognition, he argued, further legitimises the RSS’s operations and underscores its non-profit, service-oriented character. The chief emphasised that the RSS does not operate for power or financial gain but seeks to organise and serve society, particularly the Hindu community, in line with its ideological vision.

Mission to Organise Hindu Society

A significant portion of Bhagwat’s remarks focused on the RSS’s broader societal mission. He reiterated that the organisation aims to structure and empower Hindu society, and its activities are intended for the “glory of Bharat Mata (Mother India)” rather than political domination. “When an organised force is raised in the form of Sangh (RSS), it doesn’t want power. It doesn’t want prominence in the society. It just wants to serve, organise the society for the glory of Bharat Mata,” he said.

Bhagwat outlined the RSS’s conceptualisation of Hindu identity as inclusive, arguing that all Indians, including Muslims and Christians, are connected through a shared ancestry and the country’s “core culture,” which he identifies as fundamentally Hindu. He stated, “Hindus are responsible for Bharat. There is no ‘Ahindu’ in India. The progress of Sanatan Dharma is the progress of Bharat.” By framing Hindu society as a civilisational continuum rather than a narrow religious category, Bhagwat positioned the RSS as a unifying force across India’s diverse population.

Challenges and Historical Context

Bhagwat reflected on the difficulties the RSS has faced over its century-long existence. He cited the multiple bans imposed by successive governments, instances of opposition and criticism, and even the targeted attacks on its members. “There were two bans; a third as well, but it was not much of a ban. There was opposition, criticism. Swayamsevaks were murdered. In every way, it was tried that we should not thrive,” he said. Despite these challenges, Bhagwat emphasised the dedication of RSS members, known as Swayamsevaks, who contribute to the organisation selflessly without seeking any personal gain.

He underscored that the RSS is not a reactionary or oppositional body. “It is not in opposition to anything. It is an organisation ‘of’ the society, not ‘in’ the society,” he said, explaining that the Sangh’s mission is to strengthen the fabric of society through individual development and collective organisation. He highlighted that the organisation’s goal is to build a cohesive Hindu society encompassing all 142 crore people of India, including various denominations and those who arrived in the country historically from outside. Bhagwat noted that the RSS has also begun dialogue with individuals and communities who do not identify as Hindus, reflecting a broad engagement strategy.

Legal and Social Recognition

Bhagwat’s remarks come amid debates in several states, including Karnataka, where authorities have sought to restrict RSS’s use of public spaces. He pointed to the historical bans and legal recognition of the RSS as evidence of its acknowledged presence and legitimacy in India. By framing government bans as implicit recognition, Bhagwat argued that the RSS’s historical resilience and societal contributions affirm its legal and social standing.

He also drew a parallel between the non-registration of the RSS and Hindu dharma itself, highlighting a broader philosophical point about the Indian societal structure. According to him, formal registration is not a prerequisite for social recognition, legitimacy, or the ability to organise and influence public life. This argument positions the RSS’s decades-long presence and its recognition by legal authorities as sufficient validation of its status, even in the absence of formal registration documents.

Ideological Vision

Bhagwat’s lecture outlined a clear ideological framework for the RSS, centering on the organisation’s vision of an “organised, strong Hindu society.” He stated that the Sangh’s activities aim to educate, organise, and develop individuals so that society as a whole can thrive. “Organisation of society through individual development” is a recurring theme in his remarks, emphasizing the importance of building capable, responsible citizens as a foundation for national progress.

He framed the RSS’s work within a historical and cultural perspective, linking the organisation’s efforts to the continuity and progress of Sanatan Dharma, which he equates with the essence of India itself. “Sanatan Dharma is Hindu Rashtra, and the progress of Sanatan Dharma is the progress of Bharat,” Bhagwat said, reiterating a core principle of the Sangh’s philosophy.

Conclusion

Mohan Bhagwat’s comments offer a comprehensive defence of the RSS’s legal status, tax exemptions, and broader mission. By situating the organisation within a historical, cultural, and social context, he argued that formal registration is neither necessary nor indicative of legitimacy. Through a combination of historical narrative, ideological assertion, and emphasis on service-oriented organisation, Bhagwat presented the RSS as a century-old institution dedicated to the holistic development of Hindu society and, by extension, the nation.

The chief’s remarks highlight the Sangh’s ongoing efforts to balance legal recognition, societal engagement, and ideological clarity, especially amid ongoing scrutiny and debate over its role in contemporary India. By framing the RSS’s century-long journey as a story of resilience, societal service, and cultural stewardship, Bhagwat positioned the organisation as a central actor in shaping India’s social and cultural landscape, while also responding to criticisms about its registration and formal legal status.

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