Mohan Bhagwat: Sanatan Is Shared DNA, Not Just Geography
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat in New Delhi on Tuesday! (Image RSS, X)
Hindu Rashtra doesn’t mean pursuit of uniformity, as unity within diversity is possible: RSS Chief
By TRH Political Desk
NEW DELHI, August 26, 2025 — In his inaugural address on launch of centenary lecture series, Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday said that “Sanatan Dharma is not a geography, but common DNA and traditions.” He also stated that the pursuit of unity doesn’t seek uniformity.
“Common terms have been deployed to describe the people inhabiting Bharat such as Hindu, Hindavi, and even Sanatan. The term Sanatan doesn’t denote a geography, but DNA and traditions of the people,” said Bhagwat, while explaining the RSS and its ideologies.
Positioning the RSS as an organisation seeking unification of the society, Bhagwat said that “uniformity is not the path for unity.” “Even with diversity, unity can be achieved. Unity of the nation or the society is not incumbent on uniformity,” said Bhagwat.
Dwelling on “Hindu Rashtra”, Bhagwat stated the term is n ow narrow in scope as shown by a section of commentators. “Rashtra stands for the state. Hindu Rashtra has no relations with the ruler of the nation. There had been different set of rulers in the country. Hindu Rashtra doesn’t envision any opponents,” said Bhagwat.
The RSS chief sought to reiterate that Hindu Rashtra is a terminology employed by the organisation for achieving the unity of all sections of the people irrespective of differences. His remarks came amid concerns in a section of observers that the RSS is pursuing the objective of Hindu Rashtra to impose the Hindu ways of life on all the people within the country. But Bhagwat sought to delink Hindu with religion, arguing that the term is for the people inhabiting “Bharat.”
The RSS chief said that “when the organisation espouses the cause of Hindu Rashtra it shouldn’t be seen as Hindu versus others.” Bhagwat gave instances of “some of the RSS functionaries who have devoted life for the unity of the society.”
The inaugural address of the RSS chief in New Delhi was also attended by representatives from the embassies and High Commissions of Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, Australia, China, Russia, Oman, Israel, Norway, Denmark, Serbia, Germany, Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Italy, UK, Italy, EU, Ireland, Jamaica, USA, Brazil, Argentina are attending this lecture series
“There are many discussions about the Sangh. It has been noticed that there is little information. The information that exists is less authentic. Therefore, from our side, we should provide true and correct information about the Sangh. Any discussion about the Sangh should be based not on perception but on facts,” added Bhagwat.
The RSS chief also mentioned that the organisation faced backlashed for several years. He spoke of the RSS founder BR Hedgewar, and others.
“We need Nayaks – leaders in every nook and corner of Bharat, those who have impeccable character, who are consistently connected with the society, who are trusted by the society and who are ready to live and die for the society. Rabindranath Thakur extensively wrote about this in his essay, Swadeshi Samaaj,” stressed Bhagwat.
The RSS chief also stated that “India has a contribution to make to the world and that time has come.” On the slogan of “Bharat Mata ki Jai,” Bhagwat explained that this is for the “country, its glory should be proclaimed, and that country should attain a leading position in the world.”
Follow The Raisina Hills on WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn
About The Author
