Kovind at RSS Centenary: Social Justice in Saffron Hue

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At the RSS centenary, Kovind recalled Vajpayee’s 2001 pledge that his government would serve Dalits, backward classes, and the poor—guided not by Manusmriti but by Bhim Smriti, the Constitution.

By TRH Political Desk

Nagpur, October 2, 2025 — Former President of India Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday armed the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) a powerful Dalit narrative by weaving anecdotes about BR Ambedkar, KB Hedgewar, and AB Vajpayee. Kovind recalled Vajpayee telling a crowd at a Dalit meeting that his “government works on Bheemsmriti (Constitution), not Manusmiri.”

“I would like to mention the Dalit Sangam Rally was held at the Red Fort complex in 2001. Many had spread misinformation, labelling the RSS family and Atal ji as anti-Dalit,” Kovind recalled. He further stated that while addressing that rally Vajpayee proclaimed: “Our government has been formed for the welfare of Dalits, backward classes, and the poor. … Our government will not work on the basis of Manusmriti but on the basis of Bhim Smriti.”

Kovind stated that ‘Bhim Smriti’ means the Constitution of India. He quoted Vajpayee also saying that “we are Bhimvadis, meaning followers of Ambedkar.”

“His address played a historic role in dispelling the misinformation propagated against the ideology of Atal ji and the RSS among this section of society. The RSS has, in reality, been a strong advocate for social unity and reform and has always been active in this direction,” added Kovind.

He further stated that Mahatma Gandhi was deeply impressed with the RSS for the lack of discrimination, as “detailed extensively in the Complete Works of Gandhi (Gandhi Vandmay).” “On September 16, 1947, Gandhi ji addressed a rally organized by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in Delhi and remarked that he had visited an RSS camp years earlier during the lifetime of its founder, Dr. Hedgewar. Gandhi ji was profoundly moved by the discipline, simplicity, and complete elimination of untouchability he observed at the RSS camp,” stated Kovind.

Former President also stated “Babasaheb Ambedkar visited an RSS branch in Karad, Satara district, Maharashtra in January 1940, where he expressed a sense of affinity, and offered assistance. This is a historical testament to the RSS’s philosophy and practice of social harmony,” added Kovind.

He stated that the Marathi newspaper Kesari, which held the status of a national newspaper at the time, quoted an important statement by Babasaheb in its January 9, 1940, issue. Kovind said: “Babasaheb was quoted having said that despite differences on some issues, I look at this Sangh with a sense of affinity. This news was also published in Babasaheb’s weekly newspaper Janata, stating that after attending a function at the Karad Municipality, Babasaheb met with RSS members and assured them of his support if needed.”

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