"Sangh is most misunderstood organisation in world': RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat at Thrissur Event
Thrissur, June 14
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said the Sangh is the world's largest voluntary organisation but also the "most misunderstood", which has caused unnecessary public apprehensions.
Speaking at the '100 Years of Sangh Journey - New Horizons' event, he invited people to examine the organisation themselves, asserting "Sangh is nothing dangerous" and can be tested, accepted or rejected.
"So that about the Sangh, there are so many misunderstandings. People say that the Sangh is the largest voluntary organisation in the world. But the Sangh is also the most misunderstood organisation in the world. And therefore, there is an unnecessary apprehension in public mind," RSS Chief said.
He invited people to examine the organisation themselves, saying, "Now it has been dispelled to the largest extent, but still it lingers in some minds. So I will give you the information so that you will feel that Sangh is nothing dangerous, we can test it. If we like it, we can accept it, if we don't, we can reject it."
He also attributed lingering fears to "malicious propaganda" from those who feel threatened by the Sangh's growth and fear it may hinder their own objectives.
"The apprehensions are there because many movements, many organisations, many activities, through the stream of time they travel and they have to always face the contemporary situations. So one way is to see the things in context. But what we see is true only till that context exists. It doesn't give you the true picture. What is constant beyond the context, that is, the real nature of that activity, that organisation," RSS Chief said.
He further said that people are "afraid" of the Sangh growing, with people thinking that they won't be successful in their own endeavours due to that. He said that these apprehensions have been brought out by "malicious propaganda".
— ANI
Reader Comments
Misunderstood? Maybe. But let's be real - when your organisation has a clear ideological agenda and your members have been involved in various controversies over decades, people will have questions. Bhagwat ji says "test and accept" - that's fair. But the Sangh should also be more transparent about its actual political influence. Jaise bhi ho, dialogue is good.
Largest voluntary organisation in the world - that's genuinely impressive. My grandfather was a swayamsevak in the 1950s. He always said people outside don't understand that the Sangh is primarily about discipline, service, and national unity. But yes, sometimes the public perception is shaped more by headlines than reality. Good to see this open invitation.
Honestly, the "malicious propaganda" argument feels like a convenient excuse. Every criticism is labelled as propaganda. I respect RSS's work during disasters but they need to address genuine concerns about their stance on minorities and democracy. Openness means accepting tough questions, not just saying "we are misunderstood." 🤷♀️
Thrissur has a special connection with Sangh - the first RSS shakha outside Nagpur was in Kerala! Good to see Mohan Bhagwat ji speaking openly. Yes, there are misunderstandings but also yes, there are genuine concerns. The only way forward is exactly what he said: people should come, see, and decide for themselves. No organisation should be judged only by hearsay.
"Test it, accept it, or reject it" - that's actually a very reasonable
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