Bhagwat: India’s Freedom a Collective Effort, Not Attributable to One Entity
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has emphasized that India’s independence was the result of a widespread, collective struggle and not the achievement of any single person or organization. Speaking at a book launch event in Nagpur, Bhagwat reminded the audience that the freedom movement drew strength from countless efforts across the nation, especially after the events of 1857.
India’s Independence Was a Nation-Wide Movement
“Discussions about how the country gained its independence often overlook a crucial truth. It was not due to one person. The flames of the freedom struggle were ignited across the nation after 1857,” he said at the launch of the two-volume book ‘Sangh Jeevan’ by senior RSS volunteer Ramchandra Devatare.
Bhagwat’s remarks countered the tendency to attribute India’s freedom to select political figures. He stressed that independence came through the combined courage and contributions of various individuals, regions, and ideologies. The freedom movement, he asserted, was not the property of any one party or group.
RSS’s Role in Social Consolidation
While addressing criticism about the RSS’s limited participation in political movements of the time, Bhagwat clarified that the organization deliberately focused on social unity and national consciousness. He explained that the RSS worked to strengthen the moral and cultural backbone of the nation, which he described as an equally vital component of resisting colonial rule.
He further remarked, “The highest rank in the RSS is that of the ordinary volunteer,” highlighting the Sangh’s emphasis on collective discipline and egalitarian leadership rather than hierarchical titles.
Book Captures Rural RSS Contributions
Author Ramchandra Devatare elaborated on the motivation behind his work. The 800-page ‘Sangh Jeevan’ series provides a detailed account of rural chapters of the Sangh and their unsung contributions to national life. Devatare said the work aims to fill gaps in the historical understanding of how socio-cultural mobilization helped shape the nation.
