Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed key issues concerning Hindu society, cultural identity and the organisation’s broader vision during the annual Vijayadashami gathering in Nagpur on October 20, 2026. The event also marked the conclusion of the organisation’s centenary-year celebrations, bringing together volunteers and prominent guests for one of its most important annual programmes.
The gathering took place at Reshimbagh Ground, where traditional ceremonies formed part of the celebrations. Bhagwat’s address attracted attention amid continuing discussions about the relationship between the RSS, Hindu cultural identity and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Vijayadashami Event Marks RSS Centenary Celebrations
The annual Vijayadashami programme holds particular importance for the RSS because the organisation was founded in Nagpur in 1925 on the occasion of Dussehra. The 2026 gathering therefore carried additional significance as the organisation completed a century since its establishment.
The programme included traditional activities associated with the occasion, including Shastra Puja and a march-past by volunteers. Bhagwat participated in the ceremonial observances and paid tribute to RSS founder Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar at the Smruti Mandir.
The event brought together people associated with the organisation as well as invited dignitaries. Senior journalist Sanjay Gupta was named the chief guest, while former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Israel’s Consul General in Mumbai, Yaniv Revach, were among those invited.
The centenary celebrations provided an opportunity for the organisation to reflect on its history, activities and future priorities.
Hindu Dharma and Cultural Identity in Focus
The RSS has traditionally presented Hindu cultural traditions as an important foundation for its understanding of Indian society and national identity. Its annual Vijayadashami address provides an opportunity for the organisation’s leadership to explain its views on social, cultural and national questions.
Bhagwat’s remarks on Hindu society and the organisation’s ideological outlook are particularly relevant in the context of wider debates about cultural identity, social cohesion and the role of voluntary organisations in public life.
The RSS has maintained that its activities extend beyond ideological discussions to include community initiatives, volunteer programmes and social engagement. Its supporters point to these activities as part of its contribution to society, while critics continue to debate its political influence and ideological positions.
The organisation’s relationship with the BJP also remains an important subject of public discussion because of their historical ideological connections. However, the RSS and the BJP are separate organisations with distinct formal structures and responsibilities.
BJP’s Political Success and the RSS Connection
The relationship between the RSS and the BJP frequently attracts attention during major organisational events. The RSS has historically influenced the broader ideological landscape associated with the BJP, while the party operates independently as a political organisation and contests elections.
Discussions about the BJP’s electoral performance often include questions about the wider network of organisations and volunteers connected to its ideological background. At the same time, electoral outcomes depend on multiple factors, including leadership, campaign strategy, local political conditions and voter priorities.
The RSS’s annual address is therefore watched by political observers seeking to understand its positions on national affairs and the issues it considers important for the coming year.
A Wider Message for Indian Society
The centenary-year conclusion gives the organisation an opportunity to assess its development since 1925 and outline its priorities for the future. Its continued focus on cultural identity, social participation and national unity places it at the centre of several ongoing public debates.
The Nagpur Vijayadashami gathering was significant not only because of its traditional ceremonies but also because it brought the organisation’s leadership, volunteers and invited guests together at a defining moment in its history. Bhagwat’s address formed the central part of an event closely followed by political observers and members of the public interested in the RSS’s future direction.
