Sanatan’s latest take on RSS: It has taken country to new low

The RSS is now circulating this report in an attempt to distance itself from the Sanstha.

Report published in Sanatan Prabhat against the RSS cadre not performing spirituality, have taken country to all time low.

The report published in Sanatan Prabhat against the RSS cadre for not performing spirituality, and having taken the country to an all time low.

Radical Hindu organisation Sanatan Sanstha, which is in the news for its alleged link to the murder of rationalist CPI leader Govind Pansare, believes the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) isn’t “spiritual” enough to establish a “Hindu Rashtra” and “has taken the country to a new low”.

In its June 2015 issue, Sanatan Prabhat, a mouthpiece of the Sanstha, published a report in Marathi, titled: “Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ani Hindu Janjagruti Samiti (HJS) yanchya karyatil mukhya bhed (Main differences between RSS and HJS, a wing of the Sanstha)”.

The report in Marathi quotes Sanstha founder Jayant Athavle as saying, “RSS has 40 lakh volunteers but because they do not perform sadhana (spiritual exercise), over the last 68 years, they have taken the nation to a new low, step by step, across all spheres. On the contrary, over the next five years, HJS will get 4 lakh sadhak-karyakarte (spiritual activists). These activists will perform sadhana and start a religious revolution to establish a Hindu Rashtra… in the next three years. Which means, eight years from now, in 2023, we will establish a Hindu nation.”

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The RSS is now circulating this report in an attempt to distance itself from the Sanstha. A senior RSS functionary in Pune, who didn’t want to be identified, said, “This article is nonsense. The Sangh Parivar is playing its role in nation building by running about 1.5 lakh social service projects across the country. That’s real sadhana. Anyway, this is not the first time (the Sanstha) has written against us.”

Sanstha spokesperson Sandeep Shinde said, “The report does not aim to insult RSS. We respect RSS and also write good things about it. But RSS certainly needs to improve. Shivaji Maharaj was victorious not just because he was good warrior, but also because he worshiped Goddess Bhavani and followed the preachings of saints, which gave him spiritual powers. RSS and its activists should understand that it is important to follow the spiritual path to achieve success.”

Both the Hindu outfits have clashed on other occasions too. A couple of months ago, the Sanstha had opposed chemical conservation of idols in temples in Kolhapur. But the VHP had supported the move and criticised the Sanstha for building a “negative image” around the Hindutva movement.

Recently, the Sanstha had differed with the RSS over where Ganesh idols could be immersed. With civic authorities asking people to avoid polluting rivers by immersing the idols in water tanks and the RSS supporting the idea, the Sanstha said this was “against dharma shastra” and idols should be immersed in rivers. Sanstha members had even intercepted people immersing Ganesh idols in water tanks.

Chandan Haygunde

Chandan Haygunde is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With over 20 years of experience in journalism, he is one of the region's most authoritative voices on crime, national security, and legal affairs. Professional Profile Specialization: He specialises covering issues related to Crime, Courts, National Security and Human Rights. He has done investigative reporting on incidents of terrorism, left wing extremism, espionage cases, wildlife crimes, narcotics racket, cyber crimes and sensational murder cases in Pune and other parts of Maharashtra. While working on the ‘Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Fellowship on Tigers, Tiger Habitats and Conservation’ in 2012, he reported extensively on the illegal activities in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. He is at the helm of the widely read weekly series “Pune Crime Files”. He is widely recognized for his deep-dive coverage of the cases related to the Koregaon Bhima violence in Pune and the Elgaar Parishad investigation. Key Beats: His portfolio includes covering crimes mainly under the jurisdiction of Pune City, Pune rural and Pimpri Chinchwad Police, along with the sensitive cases from the state, being investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Background: Before his long tenure at The Indian Express, he worked with other Marathi and English publications, giving him a unique grassroots understanding of Maharashtra's socio-political landscape. Awards and Recognition: He got the CMS PANOS Young Environment Journalist Award in January 2014 for investigative reports on illegal activities in Sahyadri Tiger Rerserve. He received the award for outstanding investigative journalism by the Lokmat group in Pune in January 2020, “Missing since 2010, Pune youth a ‘Maoist Commander’ in Chhattisgarh”, which appeared on July 9, 2019. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) In recent months, Chandan’s reporting has focused on high-profile terror case investigations, inter-state firearms racket, leopard movements in Pune city, cyber scams and hearings of the Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry. 1. High-Profile crimes and terrorism cases “Techie linked to Al-Qaeda preached democracy is against Shariat” (Nov 17, 2025). Reporting on the ongoing investigation into the arrest of IT professional Zubair Hangargekar (37) from Pune for alleged terror links. “The case against Jyoti Jagtap, member of ‘Maoist front’ Kabir Kala Manch and Elgaar Parishad organiser, granted interim bail by apex court” (Nov 20, 2025) Tracking the updates in the high profile Elgaar Parishad case related to the alleged naxal activities in urban areas. “How NIA arrested doctor turned ‘ISIS recruiter’ in Maharashtra terror module case” (Nov 24, 2025) After the arrest of doctors in Delhi Red Fort blast, a report on alleged terror links of a consulting anaesthetist from a Pune hospital. “A year after loco pilot averts tragedy by spotting gas cylinder on railway track, probe still inconclusive” (Dec 8, 2025). Report on the unsolved case of a suspected sabotage incident, which could have derailed a train. “No records of Sambhaji Maharaj’s cremation available: Author, ex-IAS officer Vishwas Patil tells Koregaon Bhima panel” (Dec 1, 2025) Reporting on a sensitive issue related to the Koregaon Bhima violence. 2. Inter-state firearms racket "Pune police swoop down on ‘village of pistols’ in Madhya Pradesh; 36 detained, 50 kilns destroyed" (Nov 22, 2025) "Recce a week before, microplanning: how Pune police raided ‘village of pistols’ in MP" (Nov 24, 2025) Reporting on the illegal gun manufacturing units in Umarti village, Madhya Pradesh 3. Cybercrime & Financial Scams “Pimpri Chinchwad police arrest ‘bank account supplier’ with links to China, nationwide cyber scams" (Nov 27, 2025) An investigative look at the modus opernadi of international cyber-gangs cheating high-earning professionals across the country ‘Your case linked to Pahalgam terrorist’: Pune businessman loses Rs 1.44 crore to fraudster posing as NIA chief" (Oct 18, 2025) Report on the tricks played on cyber scammers cheating people through digital arrest frauds Signature Style: The Investigative Hit Chandan is known for his ability to cultivate deep-cover sources within the police and intelligence agencies. His writing often goes beyond the "police version" of events, providing historical context and identifying systemic lapses. He is particularly respected for his balanced reporting on sensitive communal issues and his persistent tracking of the Maoist urban-link cases, making his columns essential reading for legal experts and policymakers. X (Twitter): @chandan_pune ... Read More

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