Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday asserted that the organisation is not undergoing a transformation in ideology or purpose, but is instead “gradually evolving” and “unfolding” with time. Addressing an event in New Delhi to mark the launch of a song album from the upcoming film Shatak, which chronicles the 100-year journey of the RSS, Bhagwat said perceptions of change arise only because the organisation has taken on new forms in response to changing times.

The event was held at the RSS headquarters in the national capital and was attended by singer Sukhwinder Singh, film director Ashish Mall, co-producer Ashish Tiwari, and senior RSS functionary Bhaiyaji Joshi, among others. The film Shatak is being positioned as a cultural and historical portrayal of the organisation as it approaches its centenary year.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhagwat emphasised that the core philosophy and values of the RSS remain intact, even as its activities and expressions adapt to contemporary realities. “The organisation is celebrating its centenary. But as the organisation evolves and takes on new forms, people perceive it as changing,” he said. “However, it is not actually changing; it is simply unfolding gradually.”

To explain this idea, Bhagwat used a metaphor drawn from nature. “Just as a sprout emerges from a seed, and the mature tree, laden with fruits and flowers, is a different form, these two forms are distinct,” he said. “Yet, the tree is fundamentally the same as the seed from which it grew.” According to him, the RSS’s present-day manifestations should be seen in the same way—as natural outcomes of growth rather than departures from its original identity.

The RSS chief suggested that organisations, like living beings, must evolve to remain relevant, but this evolution does not necessarily mean abandoning foundational principles. In his view, the Sangh’s journey over the past century reflects continuity rather than rupture, even though its role, reach, and methods have expanded significantly since its founding in 1925.

A significant portion of Bhagwat’s address was devoted to the life and personality of Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the founder of the RSS. Describing Hedgewar as a “born patriot,” Bhagwat said his commitment to the nation was evident from a very young age. “The Sangh and Doctor saheb are synonymous terms,” he said, underscoring the deep imprint Hedgewar left on the organisation’s ethos and structure.

Bhagwat recounted personal hardships faced by Hedgewar during his childhood, particularly the loss of both parents to the plague when he was just 11 years old. He noted that such a traumatic experience at a young age often leaves lasting emotional and psychological scars. “When such a great trauma occurs at such a young age, one becomes alone and prone to adverse effects on his nature and personality,” Bhagwat said.

However, he stressed that Hedgewar’s response to adversity set him apart. Despite being left without parental support or someone to confide in, Hedgewar did not allow grief or isolation to weaken his resolve or character. According to Bhagwat, this resilience was a defining feature of Hedgewar’s personality and played a crucial role in shaping his later work.

“In his personality, there was an ability to withstand even the greatest shocks without letting his faith or his nature waver in the slightest,” Bhagwat said. “This is a sign of excellent mental health, a strong and healthy mind, which he possessed from the beginning.”

Bhagwat went on to suggest that Hedgewar’s psychological strength and emotional resilience could themselves become subjects of academic inquiry. “I think Doctor saheb’s psychology could also be a subject of study and research,” he said, implying that understanding Hedgewar’s inner life could offer insights into how he conceived and built an organisation that has endured for a century.

The RSS chief’s remarks come at a time when the organisation is preparing to mark 100 years of its existence, an occasion expected to be accompanied by a series of events, publications, and cultural productions aimed at reflecting on its history and projecting its vision for the future. The film Shatak is part of this broader effort, using cinema and music to narrate the RSS’s evolution and its role in India’s socio-political landscape.

Bhagwat’s assertion that the RSS is “evolving, not changing” also addresses long-standing criticism and debate around the organisation’s expanding footprint in various spheres of public life. Critics often argue that the RSS has transformed significantly over the decades, especially in its relationship with politics and governance. Supporters, however, maintain that while the context has changed, the organisation’s core mission of nation-building and cultural revival has remained consistent.

By framing the RSS’s journey as a natural unfolding, Bhagwat sought to reinforce the idea of continuity and stability. His comments suggest that the Sangh sees adaptability as a strength rather than a sign of ideological drift, and that new initiatives, forms of outreach, or modes of expression are extensions of its foundational vision rather than departures from it.

The presence of artists and filmmakers at the event highlighted the RSS’s increasing engagement with popular culture as a means of communication. The involvement of a well-known singer like Sukhwinder Singh and a feature film project signals an attempt to reach wider audiences beyond traditional organisational circles, particularly younger generations who may be more receptive to narratives conveyed through music and cinema.

At the same time, Bhagwat’s reflections on Hedgewar’s life served to root these contemporary expressions firmly in the organisation’s origins. By emphasising the founder’s personal sacrifices, mental strength, and unwavering commitment, the RSS chief reinforced the idea that the organisation’s present and future are inseparable from the values instilled at its inception.

As the RSS approaches its centenary, Bhagwat’s remarks indicate that the organisation is keen to present itself as both timeless and timely—anchored in its original philosophy while responsive to the demands of a changing society. Whether viewed by supporters as a symbol of continuity or by critics as a force that has adapted its methods to expand influence, the RSS leadership appears intent on framing its hundred-year journey as an organic process of growth rather than a story of ideological change.

In Bhagwat’s words, the Sangh today is not a departure from what it once was, but the mature form of a seed planted a century ago—different in appearance, broader in reach, yet fundamentally the same at its core.