‘RSS leaders went to jail for Independence’: PM Modi on 100 years of RSS

“This is the first time in the history of India that Bharat Mata’s image has been carved onto a coin,” said PM Modi. The coin also has the RSS’ moto “Rashtray Swaha, Idam Rashtraya, Idam Na Mama”, which translates to “Everything is dedicated to the nation, Everyhting is the nation’s, Nothing is mine”.

RSS centenary on Vijay Dashami no coincidence: Modi

Speaking at the RSS centenary celebrations, PM Modi said, “Tomorrow is Vijayadashmi, a festival which symbolises the victory of good over evil, victory of justice over injustice, victory of truth over falsehoods, and victory of light over darkness… The establishment of RSS on Dussehra 100 years ago was not just a coincidence. This was resurrection of a tradition which was continuing since thousands of years. We are lucky to be witnessing centenary of the Sangh.”

‘Hedgewar was jailed for participating in the freedom struggle’

Modi further said that different organisations affiliated to the RSS cater to the needs of various sections of the society. He said despite the different wings of RSS have never clashed because every part of the organisation believes and strives for one objective: “Nation first”.

“Since its inception, the RSS has been striving to build the nation… During the struggle for Independence, [RSS founder] Dr [KB] Hedgewar went to jail and along with him, many members of the organisation,” Modi said. He said the RSS participated in the freedom movement and sheltered many freedom fighters.

He said that during the Chimur (Maharashtra) agitation of 1942, RSS swayamsevaks suffered at the hands of the British. “Again after Independence, RSS suffered at the hands of the Nizams of Hyderabad. RSS also sacrificed during the Independence of Goa and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. But RSS was steady on its belief: ‘Nation first’ and aim of ‘Ek Bharat, sreshth Bharat’.”

“The unwavering faith of RSS volunteers in democracy and constitutional bodies never led to bitterness. It only gave them strength to resist the Emergency,” Modi said.

“Even after Independence, efforts were made to crush the RSS. There were infinite conspiracies to prevent RSS from coming into the mainstream… There are times when we accidentally bite or crush our tongue with our teeth, but that doesn’t mean we break our teeth… Despite all the bans and conspiracies against the organisation, RSS was never bitter against anyone because we know, we are not different from society, but a part of it… RSS swayamsevaks have an unwavering faith in the constitutional institutions of the country,” Modi said.