RSS at 100: Centenary Celebrations, Coin Controversy & Political Debate

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), one of India’s most influential socio-cultural organizations, marked its 100th anniversary in October 2025. The centenary celebrations were held with grandeur, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending as the chief guest in Nagpur, where the RSS was founded in 1925 by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar.

The event was historic not just for the Sangh, but also for the political discourse in India. It witnessed the release of a ₹100 commemorative coin and a special postage stamp, both featuring the image of Bharat Mata – a first in India’s currency history. While the ruling leadership praised the Sangh for its role in “nation-building,” the Opposition strongly criticized the move, calling it a “sectarian agenda” and an “insult to the Constitution.”

This blog explores the celebrations, symbolism, political narratives, and controversies surrounding the RSS centenary.

The Celebrations: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity

The centenary events spanned across Nagpur, Pune, Delhi, and other cities. Highlights included:

• Path Sanchalan (March Parade): Thousands of swayamsevaks in traditional khaki trousers and white shirts marched in unison in Pune, paying tribute to Shivaji Maharaj.

• Shastra Puja: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat performed the ritual on Vijayadashami, a long-held Sangh tradition.

• Cultural Programs: Folk performances, patriotic songs, and tributes to Dr. Hedgewar and M.S. Golwalkar, former RSS chiefs.

• Sand Art Tribute: Renowned artist Sudarshan Pattnaik created sand sculptures of RSS founders at Puri beach.

• National Leaders in Attendance: PM Modi, Vice President, Union Ministers like Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, and former President Ram Nath Kovind were present.

Symbolism of the ₹100 Coin and Stamp

The release of the ₹100 coin and postage stamp became the highlight of the centenary celebrations.

• The coin bears the image of Bharat Mata holding the national flag, making it the first Indian currency to feature Bharat Mata.

• PM Modi emphasized that this symbol represents the “soul of the nation” and the RSS’s dedication to keeping “nation first.”

• A special postage stamp also commemorates the occasion, linking the Sangh’s century-long legacy with Indian state institutions.

For the Sangh, this recognition was seen as historic validation of its ideology, while critics argued it blurred the line between state neutrality and cultural nationalism.

PM Modi’s Address: Praise and Warnings

In his speech, PM Modi outlined RSS’s contributions and challenges ahead:

• He praised the RSS as a “land of inspiration where the journey begins from I to We.”

• Highlighted RSS’s role in social reforms like fighting caste discrimination and untouchability.

• Called demographic manipulation, extremist ideologies, caste and regional divides the biggest threats to India’s foundation.

• Urged swayamsevaks to dedicate the next 100 years to inclusive nation-building.

Supportive Voices

Several leaders across the ruling establishment lauded the Sangh:

• Amit Shah called himself a “proud swayamsevak” and credited the RSS for producing leaders who shaped modern India.

• Rajnath Singh described RSS’s journey as an “inspiring saga of nation-building.”

• Vice President highlighted that RSS embraces all Indians irrespective of religion and caste.

• Former President Ram Nath Kovind attended the celebrations and emphasized the need for “good people to join politics,” echoing Sangh’s ethos of service.

The Opposition’s Criticism

The centenary celebrations were not without controversy. The Opposition sharply countered PM Modi’s claims and moves:

• Congress Reaction:

  • Dismissed Modi’s statement that RSS fought for freedom, calling it a “whitewash job.”

  • Quoted Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 1948 letter accusing RSS of creating a climate leading to Gandhi’s assassination.

  • Referred to Mahatma Gandhi’s view of RSS as a “communal body with totalitarian outlook.”

• Left Parties:

  • CPI(M) leaders like Brinda Karat condemned the commemorative coin, saying it insulted the Constitution’s secular spirit.

  • CPI(M) Polit Bureau called the postage stamp a “dangerous precedent.”

• Regional Parties:

  • Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan criticized the Centre for using state institutions to promote a particular ideology.

  • Stalin, on Gandhi Jayanti, called the move “a grave insult to constitutional values.”

Intellectual & Academic Debate

Alongside political arguments, academics and writers weighed in:

• Indian Express & Outlook India explored how RSS remained at the fringes of academia, facing skepticism from intellectual circles even after 100 years.

• Writers like Partha Banerjee and Hasnain Naqvi highlighted the contradiction of Gandhi Jayanti coinciding with RSS centenary, framing it as a clash of inclusive vs. exclusive nationalism.

• Commentators like Srinath Sridharan questioned whether RSS’s vision of “We, the People” aligns with the constitutional ethos of democracy.

RSS’s 100-Year Legacy: Service, Controversy & Influence

Founded in 1925, the RSS has been:

• Service-Oriented: Disaster relief, education initiatives, rural development programs.

• Culturally Rooted: Emphasis on Hindu unity, discipline, and spiritual nationalism.

• Politically Influential: Many leaders of BJP, including PM Modi, Amit Shah, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Deendayal Upadhyaya, began as swayamsevaks.

• Controversial: Criticized for alleged communal bias, role in post-independence communal tensions, and ideological opposition from liberals and leftists.

Conclusion

The RSS centenary celebrations mark not just a milestone for the organization but also a defining moment in India’s ideological battles.

• For supporters, it’s recognition of a century-long journey dedicated to nation-first service.

• For critics, it’s a worrying sign of state institutions aligning with one ideology, undermining India’s secular fabric.

As India steps into the next century of the Sangh, the debate over RSS’s role in shaping the nation’s identity is set to intensify further — balancing between service, symbolism, and political power.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem dolore, alias, numquam enim ab voluptate id quam harum ducimus cupiditate similique quisquam et deserunt, recusandae.