The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has asserted that the term “Hindu” should be understood as more than just a religious identity. Instead, the organization considers it a nationalist expression that embodies India’s cultural, spiritual, and civilizational heritage.
This statement was made by RSS Sahakaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale in response to a question during a press conference following the conclusion of the Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) meeting in Bengaluru on Sunday.
“From the perspective of the Sangh, being called a Hindu organization is not something to be ashamed of. I, along with crores of workers, feel that being called a Hindu is a matter of pride. There is nothing wrong with it. ‘Hindu’ is a nationalist expression and not merely a religious one. It is a cultural, spiritual, and civilizational identity. Hindu is the name of the nationality and civilization of this land. Gradually, its acceptance is increasing in Bharat, which we see as a positive development,” Hosabale stated.
Addressing the broader challenge of organizing Hindu society, he acknowledged the complexities stemming from its diversity. However, he noted that significant progress has been made in bringing people together, thanks to contributions from both ordinary citizens and intellectuals.
“One of the major challenges has been the organization of Hindu society. Due to its vast diversity and various complexities, this has been an uphill task. However, through the involvement of both common people and intellectuals, we have seen significant progress. Today, there is a growing realization that organizing Hindu society is not only necessary but achievable. There is a reawakening within the Hindu community, centered on its welfare and progress,” he explained.
Hosabale further emphasized that the Hindu community today has developed a strong sense of confidence in its identity. He pointed out that there was a time when, under the influence of secularism—particularly “pseudo-secularism”—and distorted historical narratives, many Hindus felt uncertain about their heritage. However, the situation has changed, with a more self-assured and dynamic Hindu society emerging.
“Now, Hindu society has gained confidence. There was a time when, under the guise of secularism—especially pseudo-secularism—and due to misinterpretations of history, people felt uncertain about their identity. Today, however, a confident and vibrant Hindu society is emerging. But at the same time, the Sangh wants to stress that simply having confidence and vibrancy does not mean everything has been achieved. There are still internal corrections that need to be addressed within our society. For example, issues such as untouchability and the societal approach towards women still require improvement. While Hindu society is awakening, these challenges remain. The Sangh aims to ensure that these issues are also addressed,” he added.
Speaking on the controversy surrounding the Waqf Bill, Hosabale noted that the government has set up a joint commission to examine the matter. He stressed that the concerns raised regarding Waqf-related issues are not just from the RSS but also from farmers and other groups in Karnataka.
“The government has formed a joint commission to examine the Waqf issue, and we will wait to see what conclusions it reaches. It is not just the Sangh that has raised concerns. In Karnataka, for instance, farmers—regardless of their political affiliations or ideological leanings—came forward, claiming that their lands were taken away. This became a significant issue,” he said.
Hosabale pointed out that the Waqf Board had controversially declared Windsor Manor, a five-star hotel in Bengaluru, as its property, citing this as an example of the larger issue.
“Many similar incidents have occurred. A joint commission has been set up to address these concerns, and its formation is a step in the right direction. We will observe how the matter progresses,” he remarked.
Commenting on the current state of the Union government, he stated that everything appears to be running smoothly. The RSS, he reiterated, does not interfere in the government’s daily operations but will voice its opinion if necessary.
“So far, everything is going smoothly. The RSS does not interfere with the government’s daily affairs. However, when an issue is raised by the people, there is a mechanism in place to address it. If necessary, the RSS will certainly express its opinion. At present, we believe everything is progressing well. In terms of national security and international matters, the situation is stable. There is no immediate need for a review,” he concluded.
