Overview
- Mohan Bhagwat, who spoke Saturday in Thiruvananthapuram, said the RSS is the world's largest voluntary organisation and one of the most misunderstood groups.
- He said the centenary programme was organised to let people engage with the Sangh and gain first-hand experience rather than relying on outside impressions.
- Bhagwat identified visible practices such as uniformed route marches and promotion of Bharatiya games and martial arts as the main causes of incomplete or wrong impressions about the group.
- He rejected the idea that the RSS was founded as a reaction to a particular situation or as opposed to any section of society or political party and framed its purpose as contributing to the nation's welfare.
- Founded in 1925, the Sangh is using its 100th-year events to push outreach and public engagement, a line consistently reported by national outlets covering Bhagwat's remarks.