‘This is our ancient Hindu Rashtra’: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat proclaims at centenary rally | WATCH

Nagpur: At the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Thursday, Sarsanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat defined Hindu nationalism as the complete acceptance and respect of India’s diversity, bound together by a shared cultural thread. “Complete acceptance and respect of diversity and our culture that binds us all together in one thread, is nationalism, which we call Hindu Nationalism. This is Hindu Nationalism for us,” he declared.

Bhagwat elaborated that the terms “Hindavi,” “Bharatiya,” and “Arya” are all synonymous with “Hindu.” He emphasised that India’s concept of nationhood is not rooted in the modern idea of a nation-state, but in an enduring civilizational identity. “We have never had the concept of nation state. Our culture makes our nation. States come and go, but a nation remains forever. This is our ancient Hindu Rashtra,” he said.

Highlighting India’s resilience through centuries of change, Bhagwat stated, “We have seen all kinds of rise and falls, we have seen slavery and we saw independence, but we survived it all. This is why a strong and united Hindu society is the guarantee of the safety and integrity of the country.” He described Hindu society as inherently inclusive, “free of this mentality of ‘us and them’,” and as a “responsible society” committed to harmony.

The event, held in Nagpur, the birthplace of the RSS, marked 100 years since the organisation was founded by Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar on Dussehra, September 27, 1925. Former President Ram Nath Kovind attended as the chief guest.

Bhagwat also addressed the need for India to lead globally. “The world is looking towards India to look for solutions to global concerns. The universe wants India to lead by example and show the world a way,” he said, calling for self-reliance and strategic autonomy in foreign policy.

On international developments, he commented on the US’s new tariff policy, noting it was designed to serve American interests but impacts the global economy. “The world functions with dependence on each other… No country can survive in isolation. This dependence must not turn into compulsion,” he cautioned, urging India to strengthen swadeshi while maintaining diplomatic relations based on mutual respect.

Reflecting on the Pahalgam terror attack, Bhagwat said the global response revealed the true depth of international friendships. “After the Pahalgam attack, the positions taken by various countries also revealed which of them are our friends, and to what extent,” he said, praising the government’s response through Operation Sindoor and the unity of the armed forces and society.

On social cohesion, Bhagwat stressed that India has historically embraced foreign ideologies and made them its own. “We accept diversity in the world… In our country, efforts are being made to turn this diversity into difference,” he warned. He urged citizens to ensure their words do not insult any faith and condemned vigilantism. “Taking the law into one's own hands, coming out on the streets and resorting to violence and hooliganism is not right. Trying to incite a particular community and putting up a show of strength are all pre-planned conspiracies,” he said.

With inputs from ANI