The cultural and political significance of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was the central theme at the Divya Gita Prerna Mahotsav in Lucknow, attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
In his address, CM Adityanath addressed a frequently asked international question regarding the organization’s financial structure, strongly denying reliance on external sources.
CM Adityanath: “Diplomats and foreign envoys often ask how the Sangh operates. We tell them that we have worked as ‘swayamsevaks’ (volunteers). They ask about funding… We say there is no funding pattern. No OPEC country or international church funds it. RSS stands on the strength of society and works with a spirit of service.”
The Chief Minister highlighted that the organization’s foundational principle is to serve every distressed person, irrespective of religion, language, or region, stressing that the RSS teaches that the nation comes first and that anyone contributing to India’s rise must be supported.
Bhagwat: The Days of Invasion Are Gone
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat used the platform to contrast India’s past state of “slavery” under invaders with its present rise, tying the nation’s resurgence to its ancient spiritual heritage.
Bhagwat referenced the destruction of religious places and forced conversions during the era of invasions, but signaled a decisive turning point in India’s history.
Mohan Bhagwat: “Wo akraman ke din chale gaye. Ab Ram Mandir par jhanda fehrane wale hain. (Those days of invasion are gone. Now we are going to hoist the flag on the Ram temple). It was India even then; it is India even now.”
He emphasized that the people of Bharat constitute a “Hindu society and a Hindu Rashtra” and must follow dharma to perform their duties and spread the message of service globally.
The Gita as Divine Mantra
CM Adityanath further elaborated on the concept of dharma, defining it not merely as worship but as a comprehensive way of life for Hindus.
He hailed the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita as a “divine mantra” for all 140 crore Indians, asserting that its 700 verses offer essential guidance during challenging times and a guaranteed path to success.
The event served as a powerful declaration of the RSS’s identity as a social service organization sustained entirely by the voluntary efforts of its own people, reinforcing its deep cultural and spiritual roots in India.