New Delhi: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday defended the organisation’s unregistered status, saying that even Hindu dharma itself is not a registered entity. Speaking in Bengaluru, Bhagwat said the RSS does not need formal registration to establish its legitimacy or purpose.
“Even Hindu dharma is not registered,” Bhagwat said while addressing questions on why the RSS, founded in 1925, remains unregistered even after a century. He remarked that the organisation’s repeated bans by past governments proved its official recognition. “We were banned thrice. Hence the government has recognised us. If we were not there, whom did they ban?” he asked.
Bhagwat said the RSS was formed at a time when British authorities governed the country and that the question of registering with the colonial regime did not arise. “After Independence, registration was never made compulsory for such organisations,” he added.
#WATCH | Bengaluru | Addressing at the 100 Years of Sangh Journey: New Horizons, 2-Day Lecture Series, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat says, “Hindus are responsible for Bharat. It is not that British gave us nationhood. We are an ancient nation… Every nation has its core culture. What… pic.twitter.com/9e9fI7MXvz
— ANI (@ANI) November 8, 2025
The RSS chief also pointed out that the Income Tax Department and courts have acknowledged the Sangh’s existence as a “body of individuals” and granted it tax exemptions. “We are recognised by the government and judiciary,” he said.
Reiterating that the RSS is not a political organisation, Bhagwat said its only aim is to serve and unite society. “It doesn’t want power. It doesn’t want prominence in society. It just wants to serve, organise society for the glory of Bharat Mata,” he stated.
Outlining the organisation’s vision, Bhagwat said the Sangh seeks to unite the entire Hindu society, encompassing India’s 142 crore citizens across diverse faiths and traditions. “We are also talking to those who do not consider themselves Hindus. Dialogue has begun,” he said.
Bhagwat’s remarks come amid renewed debate over the RSS’s legal status and its influence in politics, especially given its ideological links with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. His assertion in Bengaluru appears aimed at reinforcing the RSS’s legitimacy while underlining its broader socio-cultural mission.
