Nation’s progress depends on society, not leaders alone: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday, November 19 said that the RSS is a voluntary organisation where people join out of their own choice, without any compulsion. “There is no entry fee and no formalities. Anyone can join, and if someone wants to leave, no one stops them,” he said.

Speaking about the organisation’s role, Bhagwat said that the RSS works to make India a strong and leading nation and to help shape Indian society in the right direction. He stressed that a country's growth does not depend on leaders, slogans, political parties, or governments alone. “These are only facilitators. The real strength behind a nation’s progress is its society,” he added.

He highlighted unity and good values as the two essential qualities of a strong society.

Bhagwat also spoke about India’s diversity, saying the country has many languages, states, and deities, yet all differences are respected. “This acceptance of diversity is India’s identity,” he said.

According to him, other countries often believe only their ideology is correct, but India accepts multiple beliefs. “In India, there are people who believe in God and people who do not. Everyone here says—‘My path is right, but your path is also right.’ We respect each other’s way of life and walk together without conflict,” he said.

Bhagwat concluded by stating that India has been one nation since ancient times and that its cultural identity remains strong and eternal.