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RSS: Evolution From An Organization To A Movement
What makes the RSS unique? How has the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh evolved from a ‘shakha’-based organization, which started in an obscure corner of Nagpur in 1925, to a pan-global movement? How is it possible for an organization not to split in nearly 100 years of its existence? Part of the answer lies in the personality of the heads of the RSS or Sarsanghchalaks as they are respectfully called. Each of the Sarsanghchalaks, from Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar to Dr Mohan Bhagwat, has played a key role in guiding and shaping the organization, helping it to evolve into a body that has shown exponential growth while playing a major role in the renaissance of Hindu dharma. Accessing RSS documents, written originally in Marathi and Hindi, conducting meticulous research in the archives, and relying on letters, official statements, resolutions, and his first-hand knowledge of working with five out of six Sarsanghchalaks, the author provides a holistic study of the evolution of the RSS.
The hundredth anniversary of the founding of the RSS is less than five years away. For the first time, readers will now be able to have a historic, factual and authentic understanding of this gigantic people’s movement, told by an insider.
The hundredth anniversary of the founding of the RSS is less than five years away. For the first time, readers will now be able to have a historic, factual and authentic understanding of this gigantic people’s movement, told by an insider.
- GenresPolitics
408 pages, Hardcover
First published October 10, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 28, 2021
"Must read for those who have hatred for RSS as an organization."
In recent years, I have been observing this media which always tried blaming RSS, and that was enough for me to explore and try to understand the other side of coin which is this great organization.
I will highly recommend this book to anyone who just keeps on targetting RSS people without knowing anything.
The author has made genuine attempt to display their workings and facts. I am highly impressed with the way they keep nation first. Respect to all those Sarsanghchalaks and Swayamsevaks who fought hard to achieve freedom for our nation and also to empower the people with proper disciplinary approach, helping them in any ways possible and ofcourse without expectation of any rewards.
Jai Hind!
Vande Mataram!
In recent years, I have been observing this media which always tried blaming RSS, and that was enough for me to explore and try to understand the other side of coin which is this great organization.
I will highly recommend this book to anyone who just keeps on targetting RSS people without knowing anything.
The author has made genuine attempt to display their workings and facts. I am highly impressed with the way they keep nation first. Respect to all those Sarsanghchalaks and Swayamsevaks who fought hard to achieve freedom for our nation and also to empower the people with proper disciplinary approach, helping them in any ways possible and ofcourse without expectation of any rewards.
Jai Hind!
Vande Mataram!
November 7, 2025
As the RSS completed 100 years earlier this month since it was formed (on Vijayadashami), I decided to read a full book about it. If there is an organization which has been relentlessly slandered and vilified falsely for the longest time and most frequently, it has to be the RSS. For a long period of my life, I believed that the RSS was a dangerous organization – not based on facts; but after all the mainstream ruling party (the Congress) and the media were repeatedly telling us that. This is explained well by Rahul Roushan in his book ‘Sanghi Who Never Went to a Shakha”. It took many many years for me to question this. And when I did, I realized how easy it is for lies when repeated to be taken for the truth. Neuroscience in recent times has made good progress in explaining how most of us live a deluded existence, assuming that the indoctrination which sets in is factual reality. In the recent years, I have watched the RSS closely, and also met a couple of people who have had long associations with the organization. They are always gracious, keen to contribute to nation building and live a life of purpose. The author Ratan Sharda himself appears on TV quite often and always seeks to be logical and respectfully engage with others.
India is the oldest continuous civilization on Earth. The RSS was launched when a group of people were dismayed there was no one to represent Hindu and Indic interests. This book does a good job of covering the leadership of the RSS since inception, its principles, purpose, service ethos and ways of working. The author points out that the RSS has clarified umpteen times that it advocates peaceful co-existence, and does not wish harm for anyone. Though a large section of the media associates the RSS closely with the ruling BJP, in the earlier years many of its members were part of the Congress. A wedge developed due to the growing discomfort in the Congress that the RSS may enter politics. In reality, the RSS faces unfair and extreme pressure in a few states today and a few of its members have been tragically murdered (it rarely finds sustained media coverage). Despite provocation, the RSS very rarely responds – preferring to continue working quietly. The RSS was banned thrice since inception, but stayed strong and resilient. The only instance the RSS did play a part political role was during the emergency – fighting to restore a functioning democracy. RSS members are advised to keep a low profile and never seek credit. Even significant achievements such as the building of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial are not amplified. In instances of crisis such as wars, the RSS always stood by the government of the day, its members ready to pitch in in whatever way they can.
As the author himself was associated with the RSS, expectedly there is no critical content about the organization. I am sure I will find quite a few areas where I will disagree with the views of RSS leaders. Nevertheless, the RSS is an organization I respect for the service ethos it inculcates in its members and its progressive views on society. Unlike some political parties, who have a warped view of secularism, the RSS has been progressive – always keeping current context in mind while outlining its views. Dr S Radhakrishnan and Joseph Campbell both said that in a multicultural society peace and happiness come from respecting what is sacred to the other. A simple and powerful concept unlike tolerance which sets a low bar and is also ambiguous. The views of the RSS are actually quite similar to this. The RSS advocates mutual respect and is seized with the preservation of culture. If what you know about the RSS is based on the media or political talk – do read this book to know more about the organization.
My rating: 4.25 / 5.
India is the oldest continuous civilization on Earth. The RSS was launched when a group of people were dismayed there was no one to represent Hindu and Indic interests. This book does a good job of covering the leadership of the RSS since inception, its principles, purpose, service ethos and ways of working. The author points out that the RSS has clarified umpteen times that it advocates peaceful co-existence, and does not wish harm for anyone. Though a large section of the media associates the RSS closely with the ruling BJP, in the earlier years many of its members were part of the Congress. A wedge developed due to the growing discomfort in the Congress that the RSS may enter politics. In reality, the RSS faces unfair and extreme pressure in a few states today and a few of its members have been tragically murdered (it rarely finds sustained media coverage). Despite provocation, the RSS very rarely responds – preferring to continue working quietly. The RSS was banned thrice since inception, but stayed strong and resilient. The only instance the RSS did play a part political role was during the emergency – fighting to restore a functioning democracy. RSS members are advised to keep a low profile and never seek credit. Even significant achievements such as the building of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial are not amplified. In instances of crisis such as wars, the RSS always stood by the government of the day, its members ready to pitch in in whatever way they can.
As the author himself was associated with the RSS, expectedly there is no critical content about the organization. I am sure I will find quite a few areas where I will disagree with the views of RSS leaders. Nevertheless, the RSS is an organization I respect for the service ethos it inculcates in its members and its progressive views on society. Unlike some political parties, who have a warped view of secularism, the RSS has been progressive – always keeping current context in mind while outlining its views. Dr S Radhakrishnan and Joseph Campbell both said that in a multicultural society peace and happiness come from respecting what is sacred to the other. A simple and powerful concept unlike tolerance which sets a low bar and is also ambiguous. The views of the RSS are actually quite similar to this. The RSS advocates mutual respect and is seized with the preservation of culture. If what you know about the RSS is based on the media or political talk – do read this book to know more about the organization.
My rating: 4.25 / 5.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews