RSS turns 101: PM Modi hails century of nation-building on Vijayadashami
Synopsis
The RSS turned 101 on Vijayadashami, and both PM Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath publicly marked the milestone on X — a signal of how deeply the organisation is now woven into mainstream political culture. At the annual Nagpur rally, Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat went beyond celebration, positioning India's traditional wisdom as a solution to global crises.
Key Takeaways
The RSS observed its 101st Foundation Day on 20 October 2026 , coinciding with Vijayadashami .
PM Modi posted greetings on X , praising a 'remarkable century of service, nation-building and social harmony.' UP CM Yogi Adityanath described the RSS as 'the world's largest cultural organisation' in his own post on X .
RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat addressed the annual Vijayadashami rally in Nagpur , highlighting India's rising global stature and traditional wisdom.
The RSS was founded on 27 September 1925 by Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur, Maharashtra .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, extended greetings to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteers on the organisation's 101st Foundation Day, praising their 'deep sense of duty' and 'nation-first spirit' as the RSS marked a full century of existence on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami.
PM Modi's Greetings on X
In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote: 'Today, on the special occasion of RSS Sthapana Divas, my greetings to all Swayamsevaks. I also pay homage to all those greats who have nurtured the RSS over the years.' He further stated, 'The RSS has completed a remarkable century of service, nation-building and social harmony. Countless Swayamsevaks have worked for society with a deep sense of duty and a nation-first spirit.' Modi concluded with a forward-looking message: 'May this spirit keep strengthening national development in the times to come.'
Founding and Historical Significance
The RSS was founded on Vijayadashami, 27 September 1925, by Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur, Maharashtra. The organisation traditionally celebrates its foundation day on Vijayadashami each year according to the Hindu calendar, making Tuesday's centennial milestone particularly significant. The alignment of the 101st Foundation Day with Vijayadashami continues a century-old tradition.
Yogi Adityanath Extends Wishes
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also extended greetings via X, describing the RSS as 'the world's largest cultural organisation dedicated to the supreme glory of Mother India.' In his post, CM Yogi stated: 'Heartily congratulating and extending best wishes to the crores of swayamsevaks on the Foundation Day of RSS, the world's largest cultural organisation, which is dedicated to the supreme glory of Mother India, considering the nation as deity, society as family, and service as worship.' He added that the organisation instils the sentiment of 'Ind rashtriya, Ind na mum' — roughly translating to 'All of this is for the nation; nothing of it is mine.'
Sarsanghchalak Bhagwat's Address at Nagpur Rally
At the annual Vijayadashami rally in Nagpur, RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat articulated the organisation's core ideological perspective, highlighting India's rising global stature and its potential to address complex international crises through traditional wisdom. Bhagwat emphasised that India's enduring ideological heritage would play a pivotal role in shaping the nation's trajectory as a leading world power. He notably pointed to the spirit of swabodh (self-awareness), arguing it is vividly reflected in the Preamble to the Indian Constitution.
Context and Broader Significance
The RSS centennial arrives at a moment when the organisation's influence over Indian public life is widely acknowledged across the political spectrum — even by its critics. Founded as a cultural volunteer body, the RSS today claims a sprawling network of affiliates spanning education, labour, tribal welfare, and cooperative movements. Notably, the fact that a sitting Prime Minister and a Chief Minister both publicly marked the occasion on social media underscores the organisation's mainstream political significance. The Vijayadashami rally remains the RSS's most prominent annual platform for ideological articulation.
Point of View
Or whether scale has changed the ethos.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the RSS founded and by whom?
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was founded on Vijayadashami, 27 September 1925, by Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur, Maharashtra. The organisation has since celebrated its foundation day annually on Vijayadashami according to the Hindu calendar.
What did PM Modi say on RSS Foundation Day 2026?
PM Modi posted on X calling it 'a remarkable century of service, nation-building and social harmony,' and extended greetings to all Swayamsevaks. He also paid homage to those who have nurtured the organisation over the years.
What did RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat say at the Nagpur rally?
Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, addressing the annual Vijayadashami rally in Nagpur, highlighted India's rising global stature and argued that the country's traditional wisdom could help resolve complex international crises. He also pointed to the spirit of swabodh (self-awareness) as reflected in the Preamble to the Indian Constitution.
Why is the RSS Foundation Day celebrated on Vijayadashami?
Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar chose Vijayadashami — a Hindu festival symbolising the victory of good over evil — as the founding date of the RSS in 1925. The organisation has continued to observe this tradition every year, making the festival synonymous with the RSS's annual ideological gathering.
What is significant about the RSS's 101st Foundation Day?
The 101st Foundation Day marks the completion of a full century of the RSS's existence and the beginning of its second century. The milestone drew public tributes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, both via posts on X, reflecting the organisation's mainstream political significance.
