Bhagwat Says “No Organization Faced as Much Opposition as RSS”, Calls for Self-Reliance Amid U.S. Tariff Dispute
New Delhi, August 23, 2025: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday asserted that no organization in the country has faced as much opposition as the RSS. Despite this, he said, the volunteers of the Sangh continue to work with pure and selfless love for society, which has eventually softened the intensity of criticism against them. Speaking against the backdrop of the ongoing U.S.-India tariff dispute, Bhagwat emphasized the importance of self-reliance. “The nation must become self-reliant,” he said, adding that adopting swadeshi products does not mean cutting ties with the outside world. “International trade will continue, transactions will happen, but not under anyone’s pressure,” he stressed. On the spirit of volunteerism, Bhagwat remarked, “When people ask what they will gain by joining the Sangh, our answer is—nothing. In fact, you may even lose what you already have. The Sangh is for those with courage. And yet, volunteers continue because the satisfaction and joy that come from selfless service to society cannot be compared to anything else.”
Bhagwat underlined that India’s ultimate goal is the welfare of the world. He emphasized that RSS volunteers understand their mission lies in advancing the idea of a Hindu nation, which to him represents truth and love. “The world functions through a sense of belongingness,” he said. Referring to Swami Vivekananda, Bhagwat reminded that India is a dharma-centered nation. “It is our duty to teach the world about dharma whenever the need arises, and for that, India itself must be prepared.” He added that Hindu society must be organized for the sake of world peace and harmony. However, he clarified that spreading dharma does not mean conversion. “Conversion does not define dharma. Dharma is an eternal truth that guides everything,” he explained.
Bhagwat also expressed concern that unchecked economic growth was harming the environment and widening the gap between rich and poor. He mentioned that several southern countries often complained of exploitation, and though discussions and cosmetic remedies took place, the real issues remained unaddressed. Stressing a balanced perspective, he said, “While India has its share of problems, society here holds forty times more good than bad. Anyone judging India solely on the basis of media reports would arrive at an incomplete and incorrect picture.” He further underlined the Hindu philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), which respects all paths. He added, “Even Islam reaches the same ultimate truth. But the distance between religions and communities must be bridged with efforts from both sides.”
On Tuesday, the first day of the program, Bhagwat had said that a Hindu is one who respects the faith of people with diverse beliefs. “Our religion is about harmony, not conflict,” he had remarked. He also stated that all people living in the Indian subcontinent for the past 40,000 years share the same DNA. “Our culture and our land both advocate coexistence,” he said, adding that the time has come for India to contribute meaningfully to the world as a Vishwaguru. The inaugural session saw the participation of several prominent leaders and personalities, including Union ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia and Anupriya Patel, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, and yoga guru Baba Ramdev.
Bhagwat also clarified that the term Hindu Rashtra has no link with political power. “When we say Hindu nation, it does not mean we exclude or oppose anyone. It is not about domination, but about cultural identity,” he explained. He observed that discussions about the RSS often contain incomplete or unauthentic information. “That is why it is essential to present true and accurate facts about the Sangh. The discourse about the RSS should be based on facts, not perceptions,” he emphasized.
Paying tribute to RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, he recalled how Hedgewar, despite losing his parents early and facing poverty, remained committed to the nation. Even when offered a lucrative medical career in Burma with a salary of ₹3,000 per month, Hedgewar declined, saying he had come not to earn, but to serve the nation. “When asked about marriage, he told his uncle that his life had no other purpose apart from the service of the country,” Bhagwat recounted. Recalling India’s independence movement, Bhagwat said that after the 1857 uprising, the Indian discontent required proper expression to avoid further harm. While various systems were introduced, they were eventually taken up by many under the banner of the Congress, which became a major force in the struggle for independence.
Through his addresses, Bhagwat reiterated that the Sangh’s foundation lies in service, discipline, and spiritual conviction rather than political ambition. Against the backdrop of global trade tensions and domestic challenges, he argued that India’s strength lies in its cultural unity, dharma-centered vision, and the principle of self-reliance that does not isolate but empowers the nation.
