Bengaluru: In a candid discussion during an in-house question-and-answer session of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Bengaluru, Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the RSS, emphasized the need for Hindus to resist being divided by caste and called for unity on matters of national importance. Speaking to senior members and functionaries of the organization, Bhagwat urged people to rise above caste identities, which he described as a tool often used by politicians to fragment society for electoral gains.

“Who asked Hindus to be divided? Why don’t they resist? Politicians divide us, but why don’t we say that we are one as a nation?” Bhagwat said. His comments come at a politically sensitive time, as the assembly elections are underway in Bihar, a state where caste has historically played a pivotal role in determining political fortunes. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which governs Bihar in alliance with the Janata Dal (United), claims to position itself as a party cutting across caste lines, countering the caste-based social justice narrative often promoted by parties like the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

Caste and Politics

Bhagwat highlighted the instrumental role of politics in maintaining and exploiting caste divisions. “Politics comes and divides us. Politicians come and say ‘you are of this caste, he is of that.’ Don’t go with him. Why cannot I answer that ‘I don’t recognise caste in this matter; it is a national matter?’” he asked, urging people to recognize that national interests transcend narrow caste identities.

The RSS chief argued that education and social reform within the Hindu community are key to overcoming caste-based fragmentation. He stressed that the RSS has consistently opposed caste divisions since its inception in 1925, framing this stance as central to the organization’s long-term vision. However, critics of the RSS contend that the organization’s approach does not aim to eradicate caste per se, but rather to remove caste from public discourse in ways that align with its broader vision of a “Hindu nation.”

The Vision for Hindu Unity

Beyond addressing caste divisions, Bhagwat elaborated on the RSS’s strategic vision for the next two decades. He explained that the organization seeks to unite and organize the Hindu society, instilling values and qualities that will, in turn, contribute to the creation of a prosperous and strong Bharat. According to him, this organized society is intended to propagate dharma knowledge globally, contributing to a world that is “happy, blissful, and peaceful.”

“We are preparing Hindu society for that. Ours is this singular vision… After we fulfill that vision, we don’t want to do anything else,” Bhagwat said, reinforcing that the RSS’s mission is focused on the internal consolidation and moral strengthening of the Hindu community. He repeatedly emphasized that the organization’s central task is to organize Hindu society, which he believes will naturally lead to broader societal progress and influence.

Concept of a Unified Hindu Society

Bhagwat’s definition of the Hindu community is broad, encompassing “everyone in India,” including those who identify as Muslims or Christians, when discussing national unity. He underscored that caste should not impede the formation of a unified social and cultural identity, particularly in the context of national issues.

The RSS chief repeatedly stressed that an educated, socially aware, and morally guided Hindu society is the foundation for achieving the organization’s long-term objectives. He framed the task of societal organization not merely as a political goal, but as a civilizational mission aimed at strengthening India’s global moral and cultural influence.

Contemporary Relevance

Bhagwat’s remarks are especially significant given the current political climate in India, where caste remains a major determinant of voting patterns, particularly in states like Bihar. The BJP, which draws ideological inspiration from the RSS, has sought to present itself as a party appealing across caste lines, challenging the traditional dominance of caste-based politics by parties such as the RJD. By calling for Hindus to rise above caste divisions, Bhagwat’s statement reinforces the RSS’s narrative of unity and national interest superseding sectarian or social divides.

Political analysts suggest that these comments may also serve as guidance for party cadres and voters, emphasizing a unified Hindu identity as a strategic and ideological principle. In doing so, Bhagwat is reiterating the RSS’s long-standing emphasis on social cohesion, discipline, and moral reform as prerequisites for a strong nation.

Balancing Tradition and Reform

While the RSS has historically championed the idea of a united Hindu society, critics argue that merely removing caste from public discourse does not address the systemic inequities and social hierarchies entrenched within Indian society. Reformers insist that meaningful progress requires confronting caste-based discrimination directly, ensuring equality and social justice, rather than subsuming it under the broader banner of religious unity.

Bhagwat, however, emphasized education and moral reformation as essential tools for achieving societal cohesion. He proposed that social and cultural awareness, guided by the RSS’s organizational framework, could gradually reduce the divisive impact of caste, thereby enabling Hindus to focus on national and civilizational priorities.

Long-Term Mission of the RSS

The RSS chief made it clear that the organization’s vision is long-term and comprehensive. “We want to unite, organize, impart qualities to the entire Hindu society, so that they will create a prosperous and strong Bharat, which will impart dharma knowledge to the world,” he said. This statement underlines the dual focus of the RSS on both internal consolidation within the Hindu community and the projection of India’s civilizational values on a global scale.

Bhagwat also reiterated that the organization sees its task as limited and well-defined: to organize Hindu society. “We’ll finish that task, and the organized society will do the rest,” he explained. “Our mission, our vision, is an organized, strong Hindu society.” This statement reflects the RSS’s long-standing emphasis on self-reliance, social discipline, and community-led development as foundational to nation-building.

Conclusion

Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks on caste and unity come at a crucial juncture in Indian politics, with assembly elections ongoing in Bihar and caste remaining a decisive factor in political mobilization. By urging Hindus to resist division and prioritize national interest over caste identity, the RSS chief reinforced the ideological underpinnings of the organization and its affiliated political structures.

At the same time, his comments spotlight the tension between cultural cohesion and social reform, highlighting the need for a balanced approach that respects India’s diversity while promoting unity. Whether his vision of an organized, morally cohesive Hindu society will influence electoral outcomes, social dynamics, or public policy remains to be seen, but it undeniably reflects the continuing centrality of identity, culture, and ideology in contemporary Indian political discourse.

Through these statements, Bhagwat has reiterated that the RSS sees its primary task as societal organization and moral upliftment, with the broader goal of creating a strong, unified India capable of projecting its values and knowledge to the world. By advocating unity over caste divisions, the RSS chief is both outlining a vision for the future and offering guidance to its followers in navigating the complexities of India’s multi-faceted social and political landscape.