CM Himanta Salutes RSS on Its 101st Foundation Day
Synopsis
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma marked the RSS's 101st Foundation Day on 20 October 2026, saluting the organisation's century-long commitment to national service and extending warm wishes to all volunteers — a tribute that also underscores the deep ideological ties between the BJP and the Sangh Parivar.
Key Takeaways
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma posted a tribute to the RSS on its 101st Foundation Day, 20 October 2026 .
The RSS was founded on 27 September 1925 by K.B.
Hedgewar in Nagpur .
Sarma praised the Sangh's 'long-term role' in spreading national service, discipline, and dedication to every Indian.
He offered salutations to the pledge of selfless service and extended wishes to all RSS volunteers.
BJP leaders routinely issue such Foundation Day tributes, reflecting deep organisational ties dating back to the Jan Sangh era.
The tribute coincides with the Vijayadashami season, when the RSS holds its annual chief's address.
A century and one year after its founding in Nagpur, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh marks its 101st Foundation Day on Tuesday, 20 October 2026 — and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma opened the morning with a tribute that captured the occasion's weight in three clean lines.
Writing in Hindi, Sarma saluted the Sangh's long-running role in carrying the spirit of national service, discipline, and dedication to every corner of the country. 'राष्ट्रसेवा, अनुशासन और समर्पण की भावना को जन-जन तक पहुँचाने में राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ की दीर्घकालिक भूमिका रही है' — 'The RSS has played a long-term role in carrying the spirit of national service, discipline, and dedication to the people at large.' He offered his salutations to the pledge of selfless service to the nation, and extended warm wishes to all volunteers.
A founding moment: Nagpur, 1925
The RSS was established on 27 September 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur, with an explicit mandate of character-building and national service. Over the next hundred-plus years it grew into one of the world's largest voluntary organisations, anchoring a sprawling ecosystem of affiliated bodies spanning education, tribal welfare, labour, and politics. The ideological and organisational thread connecting the RSS to the Bharatiya Janata Party runs directly through the old Jan Sangh lineage — a link that makes tributes like Sarma's as much a statement of political identity as a ceremonial salute.
BJP leaders and the annual Sangh salute
Foundation Day messages from BJP office-bearers to the Sangh are a settled pattern: they signal solidarity, acknowledge the grassroots mobilisation machinery the RSS supplies, and remind the broader Sangh Parivar of shared purpose. Sarma, who also serves as convenor of the North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), is among the party's most prominent regional faces — making his message one that resonates beyond Assam. The Vijayadashami period, in which the Foundation Day falls, is also when the RSS traditionally holds its flagship annual address by its chief, adding a ceremonial rhythm to the political moment.
Point of View
Sarma's outreach also speaks to the RSS's expanding footprint in the North-East. The tribute is ceremonial in form but strategic in substance — a reminder that in BJP politics, saluting the Sangh is never merely courtesy.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the RSS founded?
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was founded on 27 September 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur , Maharashtra, with a mission of character-building and national service.
Why did CM Himanta Biswa Sarma post a tribute to the RSS?
20 October 2026 marks the RSS's 101st Foundation Day . Sarma saluted the organisation's long-standing role in spreading the values of national service, discipline, and dedication, a practice common among BJP leaders on this occasion.
What is the link between the BJP and the RSS?
The BJP traces its ideological lineage to the RSS through the former Jan Sangh . The RSS provides the BJP with an extensive volunteer network, and party leaders routinely acknowledge this bond on occasions such as Foundation Day.
What is Vijayadashami and why does it matter to the RSS?
Vijayadashami is a Hindu festival that falls in the October-November period. The RSS traditionally uses this occasion to hold its flagship annual address by its chief, making the Foundation Day season especially significant for the organisation.
What is NEDA and what is Himanta Biswa Sarma's role in it?
NEDA stands for the North-East Democratic Alliance , a BJP-led political grouping of parties in India's North-East. Himanta Biswa Sarma serves as its convenor alongside his role as Chief Minister of Assam.
