The Supreme Court will hear Naresh Balyan's plea challenging his bail denial. The Delhi High Court previously rejected his bail application in a MCOCA case. Balyan is accused of facilitating a crime syndicate run by gangster Kapil Sangwan. The high court found an active criminal nexus between
The Delhi High Court has sought responses from Abhijit Iyer Mitra and others. A Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson filed a plea alleging privacy violations. The court issued notices and summons regarding the disclosure of residential details. X, formerly Twitter
A Supreme Court Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta has banned any construction or development within 100 metres of Jojari River in Rajasthan,hearing a suo motu case on Monday (August 24, 2026). The court also prohibited hazardous industries within 500 metres of the river’s flow path
The Congress party criticises the Modi government's aggressive privatisation agenda for India's space program. They question the rationale behind weakening ISRO's capabilities and transferring its assets. Reports indicate ISRO's role in rocket development will be severely limited by this new policy
Chlorine gas leak at a water treatment plant in Nagpur shortly after midnight on Monday (August 24, 2026) sent nearby residents running for safety and left many people gasping for breath, officials said. Several people were hospitalised after the leakage occurred in a 900-kg capacity chlorine gas
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday said Bengal must emerge as a major investment destination as he highlighted the state's cooperation with the Centre in defence, infrastructure and industrial development. His remarks came as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Adhikari virtually
BJP national general secretary Smriti Irani said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has remained responsive to youth concerns and shown that political differences can be set aside to improve government systems. BJP national general secretary Smriti Irani said the Prime Minister has been attentive to the
In April 2025, the Modi government made a dramatic U-turn and announced that it would count caste in India’s next census. At the time, it made sure to take potshots at its predecessor, the Manmohan Singh-led United Progressive Alliance government, for not including caste in the 2011 census
From Hedgewar to Mohan Bhagwat: 100 years, 6 RSS sarsanghchalaks and their vision
Since its founding on Dussehra in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has grown from a single branch into a nationwide organisation with over 83,000 ‘shakhas' (branches).
Consolidation of the Hindu society and character building of people have been among core values around which the RSS has revolved since 1925, but its sarsanghchalaks, who came from diverse fields, have left a lasting impact on the outfit with their own style of functioning.
Founded on the occasion of Dussehra (September 27) in 1925 in Nagpur by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, a physician from Maharashtra, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) started out small with one 'shakha' (branch) and evolved over the years to become a vast organisation.
Each of the six 'sarsanghchalak', or chief, of the RSS, over the last 100 years, ushered in changes in the organisation's approach in dealing with a multitude of issues and sought to keep pace with changing times, according to Sangh watcher and journalist Sudhir Pathak.
Though Hedgewar founded the RSS in 1925, his name as the sarsanghchalak was announced four years later on November 10, 1929. Once an office-bearer of the Congress, Hedgewar took part in a party conference held in Nagpur in 1920 before charting out his own independent course.
He was jailed for participating in 'Jungle Satyagraha' in 1930 and Dr LV Paranjpe was the sarsanghchalak for a brief time when Hedgewar was in prison.
Hedgewar formed the RSS along with 17 others and it started out from his residence 'Hedgewar Wada' in New Shukrawari area in Mahal in Nagpur. The organisation's formal name was decided a few months later at a meeting attended by 26 members.
The members suggested different names for the organisation and three of them -- the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Jaripatka Mandal and Bhartodwarak Mandal -- were finalised. After deliberations, the name RSS received 20 votes, Jaripatka Mandal five and Bhartodwarak Mandal one. Accordingly, the organisation got the name Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
Talking to PTI, Pathak, former editor of RSS-affiliated newspaper 'Tarun Bharat', said the initial 'shakha' gatherings used to take place in a ground in front of Itwar Darwaza School in Nagpur. As the number of swayamsevaks (volunteers) increased, the gatherings started taking place in 'Mohite Wada' in Nagpur.
The first 'shakha' outside Nagpur was started in Wardha on February 18, 1926. Today, the RSS has more than 83,000 'shakhas' with lakhs of swayamsevaks.
Shakha is the basic unit of the RSS where volunteers meet to take part in activities such as community service and physical exercise.
Hedgewar's attended his last RSS meeting in Sindi in Wardha district in 1939 which was Officers Training Camp (OTC), wherein three important decisions regarding the outfit were taken.
Pathak said firstly the RSS prayer -- 'Namaste Sada Vatsale Matrubhume -- which earlier had only two stanzas was made into a full new prayer written by NN Bhide a schoolteacher. Secondly, a decision was taken to have a new uniform for swayamsevaks. Thirdly, it was decided that RSS orders will be issued in Sanskrit instead of English.
Hedgewar passed away on June 21, 1940, but before his death he appointed Madhavrao Sadashiv Golwalkar (34), popularly known as 'Guruji', as the new sarsanghchalak.
Golwalkar was instrumental in shaping the RSS for the next three decades and bringing it from the setbacks of the first ban on the organisation.
Pathak said Golwalkar died in 1973, but before that he had written four letters and in one of them, he had declared the name of his successor Balasaheb Deoras, who helmed the Sangh during the Emergency years (1975-77).
The Emergency was the first major challenge before Deoras, when all 'shakhas' were shut, and he was arrested and sent to Yerwada Central Jail in Poona (now Pune).
According to Pathak, when the Emergency was lifted and Deoras came out of jail, he took the approach of 'forget and forgive'.
Asked about the Emergency, Deoras said, "We must adopt the policy of forget and forgive. The Emergency should not have imposed, but it does not mean we will be against them." He positioned himself in the mould of a social reformer and vehemently opposed caste discrimination and untouchability.
"If untouchability is not wrong, nothing else is wrong in the world," he famously declared and added "We all are one and are Hindus." Pathak noted that Deoras brought backward classes and underprivileged people on board to broaden the base and appeal of the RSS.
Pathak said an ailing Deoras broke decades-long tradition and announced that Prof Rajendra Singh, popularly called Rajju Bhaiya, would succeed him. This was the first time in the RSS history that the sarsanghachalak announced a successor when alive.
Pathak said Singh, who served as the sarsanghchalak between 1994 and 2000, was an astrophysicist and a professor in the Allahabad University. He was the first non-Maharashtrian RSS chief.
He was succeeded by KS Sudarshan, an electronics engineer.
Under Sudarshan, more sections of society aligned themselves with the RSS. Sudarshan reached out to Muslims, held interactions with them and invited them to the RSS headquarters, Pathak noted.
Likewise, he held interactions with Christians as well, he said.
Current sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, who is seen as a moderniser, expanded RSS outreach and held lecture series in Delhi, where he invited people from all walks of life.
Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! On Bhagwat's 75th birthday last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him for his intellectual depth and empathetic leadership, and declared his tenure as the RSS head since 2009 will be considered the most transformative period in the organisation's 100-year journey.
Source: EconomicTimes
Related Posts: Bhagwat,Hedgewar,Sarsanghchalak,Nagpur,Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh,RSS,Congress,Allahabad University,Yerwada Central Jail
Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana has sparked outrage after footage emerged of him leaving the dais during the National Anthem. Opposition leaders have called for his apology, questioning his respect for national sentiments. In his defense
15 hours ago
The upkeep of Delhi's iconic Lutyens bungalows, now nearly a century old, is becoming increasingly expensive - annual expenditure on the renovation, furnishing and repair of the official residences of Union Ministers touched a record high of ₹92.35 crore in 2025-26
1 days ago
Industrialist Gautam Adani met Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar for an hour. Sources described the meeting as a courtesy visit while returning to the airport. The meeting occurred amid a proposed tunnel road project for which Adani Enterprises is the lowest bidder
1 days ago
Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda has clarified his statements regarding Sajjan Kumar's death, denying he ever referred to the former MP as a role model. He underscored his family's long-standing opposition to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, firmly reiterating their commitment to advocating for the rights and
1 days ago
A project in Assam to improve the quality of an elephant habitat could turn a botanical liability into a carbon-rich asset. For decades, Assam Forest Department officials have struggled to deal with at least half a dozen invasive alien plants (IAPs) that have been constricting local vegetation and
1 days ago
At a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Union ministers were handed report cards. They were not being assessed for their performance as ministers but on how active and effective they have been on social media. Each minister was ranked based on an evaluation of their social media presence between May 1
1 days ago
The Indian Overseas Congress USA Telangana Chapter voiced disappointment over denied political clearance for Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's US trip. The Ministry of External Affairs cited the program's inappropriateness for the office held by the Chief Minister
1 days ago
Expressing her firm stance, Mayawati, the BSP chief, has rejected the idea of substituting caste-based reservations with economic ones, arguing that it would harm the broader national interest. She pointed to constitutional protections for historically marginalized groups and condemned Congress
1 days ago
Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatro Ki Goonj' program focused on young women in Pune. Congress leaders stated the program's message reached Delhi, causing visible panic. Supriya Shrinate highlighted the platform provided for women to voice their concerns. Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol criticized the program
1 days ago
Prime Minister Modi met the BJP's new national office-bearers, stressing public connection and organizational strength. The party announced a nationwide 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' from September 17 to October 17. This campaign aims to spread the spirit of service associated with Modi's public life
1 days ago
Sikh leaders protested outside Rahul Gandhi's residence on Saturday. They demanded an apology for Congress leaders' remarks about Sajjan Kumar. Sajjan Kumar, convicted in the 1984 riots, recently passed away. Protesters stated that such statements reopened old wounds for families
2 days ago
The Bharatiya Janata Party passed a resolution defending Vande Mataram's national status. This action strongly condemned the Congress Working Committee's recent decision regarding the song. The BJP affirmed the constitutional and statutory protection of the complete National Song
2 days ago
BJP national president Nitin Nabin on Saturday (August 22, 2026) held the first meeting with the party's newly appointed national office-bearers to discuss poll strategy and grassroots outreach, party sources said. The meeting focused on preparations for upcoming State Assembly elections
2 days ago
Two workers were killed and 11 others were injured in a reactor blast in a pharmaceutical firm in Dothigudem in Pochampally in Yadadri district late on Friday (August 21, 2026) night. The factory is about 50 km from Hyderabad. According to police officials
2 days ago
The Supreme Court has redefined the term 'industry' for new labor cases. This ruling will not affect past or pending cases under the old law. The Congress party expressed concern over this significant change. They believe it weakens essential safeguards for many workers
2 days ago
BJP MP Dharmendra Pradhan accused Congress of appeasement politics regarding the Vande Mataram song. He stated the party's true face has been exposed to the nation. West Bengal Congress President Subhankar Sarkar rejected these allegations from the BJP
2 days ago
Claiming that “rule of law” prevails in Bengal now with the new BJP government in power, Shah said the previous government did not implement BNS in Bengal so that they could promote cut money, syndicate raj and corruption. He praised CM Suvendu Adhikari who has fulfilled 43% of the poll
2 days ago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged faster reforms and greater ease of living. He expressed confidence that a stable India will contribute to world stability. India has been an oasis of political stability amidst global fluctuations. The government is committed to uplifting the youth, farmers
2 days ago
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday asked the Union government to provide a legislative assurance that any state’s representation in Parliament will not reduce due to the delimitation exercise, The New Indian Express reported
2 days ago
Welcome to The India Fix by Shoaib Daniyal. A newsletter on Indian politics. As always, if you’ve been sent this newsletter and like it, to get it in your inbox every week, sign up here (click on “follow”). “I was never involved in corruption
2 days ago
A Congress delegation petitioned the Election Commission regarding voter list irregularities. They alleged eligible voters' names were struck off electoral rolls. People were declared absent and young individuals marked deceased without cause. Notices were not reaching recipients
3 days ago
Karnataka's Chief Minister DK Shivakumar urged the Southern Zonal Council to retain the 1971 census for delimitation. He also requested maintaining the Lok Sabha's strength at 543 for the next twenty-five years. Shivakumar sought to accommodate women's quota within the existing strength without
3 days ago
Farmers in Karnataka's Cauvery basin intensified protests on Thursday, opposing water release to Tamil Nadu. The Cauvery Water Management Authority ordered Karnataka to release water, which Tamil Nadu seeks to enforce. Protesters questioned the decision
4 days ago
Journalist Tarun Tejpal, former editor of Tehelka magazine, on Thursday (August 20, 2026) appealed in the Supreme Court against the August 6, 2026, judgment of the Bombay High Court sentencing him to 10 years imprisonment in a 2013 rape case. His appeal comes as the State of Goa
4 days ago
The Congress Working Committee adopted a resolution addressing key national concerns. Youth unemployment and numerous paper leaks were highlighted as critical issues. Allegations of financial irregularities in Ram temple donations were also raised
4 days ago
Manipur Congress chief O Ibobi Singh stated the Centre can resolve state issues quickly. Civil society groups are petitioning Union ministers for NRC updation before the Census. They aim to meet Home Minister Amit Shah and other key leaders. Students also protested
4 days ago
KPCC president Sunny Joseph stated the ED probe findings against Veena T are not political witch-hunting. He noted the CPI(M) has not denied the facts revealed by the agency. The Enforcement Directorate seized handwritten notes and digital devices during searches
4 days ago
