Khattar greets RSS volunteers on foundation day
Synopsis
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar greeted all RSS volunteers on the organisation's foundation day, honouring their work in cultural preservation, youth mobilisation and social service, and saluting their spirit of selfless national dedication.
Key Takeaways
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar posted foundation-day greetings to RSS volunteers on October 20, 2026 .
The RSS was founded on October 20, 1925 , making this its 101st foundation day .
Khattar described the Sangh as an 'unparalleled symbol of discipline and patriotism' working in social service and education.
He specifically saluted grass-roots volunteers as nishkam karmayogis — selfless, desireless workers for the nation.
Senior BJP leaders issuing RSS foundation-day tributes is an established annual practice reflecting the party's deep ideological ties with the organisation.
On the 101st foundation day of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar offered warm greetings to all RSS volunteers, calling the organisation an 'unparalleled symbol of discipline and patriotism.' The tribute, posted on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, opened with a couplet that set the tone: 'Sangathan gadhe chalo, supath par badhe chalo. Bhala ho jisme desh ka, wo kaam sab kiye chalo' — 'Keep building the organisation, keep advancing on the right path. Whatever is good for the nation, keep doing all that work.'
Khattar credited the RSS with performing 'remarkable work since its founding in protecting Indian culture, organising youth, and nurturing within them the spirit of nationalism.' He noted that the Sangh simultaneously drives social-service initiatives to empower every section of society and channels educational efforts to build 'patriots dedicated to the nation's interests.'
A salute to the 'nishkam karmayogis'
The minister reserved special recognition for grass-roots volunteers — those he described as nishkam karmayogis, selfless workers who labour ceaselessly 'in every circumstance for the service of Mother India and the uplift of society.' He expressed hope that this 'sacred spirit' would continue to inspire youth toward national and social service. The post closed with the salutation 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' — Victory to Mother India.
BJP leaders and the RSS foundation-day ritual
The RSS was founded on October 20, 1925 in Nagpur by K. B. Hedgewar, making this its centenary-plus-one foundation day. The organisation today runs tens of thousands of daily shakhas (branches) across India, engaging volunteers in physical training, cultural activities and community outreach. For senior BJP leaders, issuing a public tribute on this date has become a near-universal annual practice — a visible affirmation of the ideological lineage that runs from the Sangh's founding principles into the party's political project. Khattar's message fits squarely within that tradition, amplifying the themes of discipline, cultural preservation and youth mobilisation that define the RSS's public identity.
As one of the BJP's most senior faces — having served as Chief Minister of Haryana before joining the Union Cabinet — Khattar's voice carries weight both within party ranks and among the wider Sangh parivar network, making his annual greeting more than ceremonial courtesy.
Point of View
Such messages serve a dual function — affirming organisational loyalty to the Sangh's vast volunteer network while projecting a coherent civilisational narrative to a broader audience. The emphasis on youth mobilisation and cultural preservation signals that the RSS's grass-roots machinery remains central to the ruling party's political arithmetic, even as the government's public-facing agenda is framed around development and governance.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the RSS founded and why is October 20 celebrated?
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was founded on October 20, 1925 in Nagpur by K. B. Hedgewar . The date is observed annually as the organisation's foundation day, known as Sthaapana Diwas .
What did Manohar Lal Khattar say about the RSS on foundation day 2026?
Khattar called the RSS an 'unparalleled symbol of discipline and patriotism,' praised its work in protecting Indian culture, organising youth and social service, and saluted volunteers as selfless nishkam karmayogis working for national uplift.
What is the RSS and what does it do?
The RSS is a large volunteer organisation founded in 1925, focused on character building, cultural preservation, social service and youth mobilisation through daily shakhas (branches) run across India.
Why do BJP leaders wish RSS on its foundation day?
The BJP traces its ideological roots to the RSS. Senior party leaders routinely issue foundation-day greetings as a public affirmation of their shared ideological heritage centred on nationalism, cultural values and social service.
Who is Manohar Lal Khattar?
Manohar Lal Khattar is a senior BJP leader who served as Chief Minister of Haryana before joining the Union Cabinet, where he holds the portfolios of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs.
