Mohan Bhagwat welcomes Muslims to RSS fold

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has said that Muslims are welcome to join the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh if they accept India’s culture and work for national unity. His comments, made during an interaction in Nagpur, sought to underline that the Sangh does not bar anyone based on religion.

“Anyone who considers this country their motherland, respects its culture and traditions, and is committed to its unity can become part of the Sangh,” Bhagwat said. “There is no restriction based on religion.”

The statement assumes significance in the middle of Bihar’s ongoing Assembly elections, where political parties have often accused the RSS and its affiliates of promoting a Hindu-first narrative. Bhagwat’s remarks appear aimed at countering that perception and projecting the Sangh as a nationalist, not sectarian, organisation.

Clarifies position on registration debate

Bhagwat’s comments came alongside his clarification on another long-standing question — whether the RSS is a registered organisation under Indian law. “Even Hindu Dharma is not registered,” he said. “We are a body of individuals who came together in 1925 for service to the nation. Our recognition comes from our work, not government paperwork.”

He explained that there is no legal requirement for voluntary associations like the RSS to register unless they seek specific benefits such as tax exemptions or foreign funding. The Sangh, he added, functions purely through voluntary participation and has continued to expand across the country for nearly a century without government patronage.

According to legal experts, Bhagwat’s position aligns with Indian law. The Societies Registration Act of 1860, the Indian Trusts Act of 1882 and the Companies Act of 2013 permit voluntary associations to function without formal registration as long as their activities are lawful.

Advocate Aparna Mehra, who specialises in non-profit governance, said: “The RSS is on firm legal ground. Non-registration does not make a body illegal, though it may raise questions about transparency. Bhagwat’s clarification is consistent with the law.”

Historical roots of the 'unregistered' movement

Founded in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur, the RSS began as a cultural organisation dedicated to building character and discipline among young Indians during the late colonial period. Hedgewar envisioned it as a nationwide network of volunteers — *swayamsevaks* — who would serve society selflessly.

Over time, the Sangh’s ideology of cultural nationalism inspired a range of affiliated groups collectively known as the *Sangh Parivar*, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

Today, the RSS is among the world’s largest voluntary movements, with lakhs of members and branches across India and overseas. Its influence on India’s political and cultural life remains profound, even though it officially describes itself as non-political.

A message aimed at inclusivity

By stating that Muslims can join the RSS, Bhagwat was responding to a question often raised by critics who view the organisation’s activities as majoritarian. His reply sought to redefine the conversation around Indian identity.

“Anyone who sees India as their motherland and accepts its culture can join,” Bhagwat said. “We talk about Bharat’s identity, not about any particular religion.”

The remark has been interpreted by observers as part of a continuing effort by Bhagwat to project a more inclusive image of the RSS. In previous speeches, he has described Hindutva as a “way of life” rather than a religious identity, arguing that it encompasses all those who share the values of the land.

Political analysts say this positioning helps the Sangh reach out to sections of society that may feel alienated from its traditional base. “By extending this invitation, Bhagwat is signalling that the RSS wants to be seen as a civilisational movement rather than a religious one,” said political commentator Abhay Deshpande. “It also helps soften its image ahead of the general election season.”

Mixed political reactions

Opposition parties responded to Bhagwat’s statement with caution. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said: “If the RSS truly welcomes Muslims, it should demonstrate that inclusivity in its leadership and programmes.”

The AIMIM called Bhagwat’s remarks “symbolic but insufficient”, arguing that the Sangh’s ideology remains deeply rooted in Hindu cultural supremacy. BJP leaders, meanwhile, praised Bhagwat’s statement, saying it reflected the RSS’s long-standing belief in “unity through cultural pride”.

An RSS functionary in Nagpur said, “People of all faiths have always been welcome. What matters is their commitment to the nation, not their religion.”

A dual assertion of faith and legality

In one speech, Bhagwat addressed both ideological and legal criticisms of the organisation. By reaffirming the RSS’s openness to all Indians while explaining why it remains unregistered, he sought to present the Sangh as both inclusive and legitimate — an enduring cultural movement rather than an institution bound by bureaucracy.

For Bhagwat and his followers, that distinction is central to the Sangh’s identity. “Our legitimacy,” he said, “comes from the trust of the people, not from a government stamp.”