The cultural and political manifestation of RSS vision

Mumbai: The recent address by former RSS Sarkaryavah Suresh aka ‘Bhaiyaji’ Joshi in Mumbai offers more than just a philosophical reflection on the concept of ‘Rashtrabhav’; it serves as a contemporary blueprint for the ideological transformation India has undergone over the past few years.

As the nation navigates its post-centenary transition of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the lines between the organization’s foundational directives and the state’s policy framework have become increasingly blurred, signaling a shift from mere political governance to a deep-seated “rebuilding” of the national psyche. Joshi’s emphasis that India has always been a nation and that “Hindu” remains its eternal national identity provides the necessary context for the government’s recent efforts to move beyond the legalistic definitions of citizenship toward a more profound, identity-driven sense of belonging.

This ideological advancement is perhaps most visible in the state’s recalibration of power. Joshi’s distinction between Indian strength and the “aggressive and destructive” nature of other global powers is a direct mirror of India’s burgeoning “Vishwaguru” narrative. In recent years, India has sought to project a model of leadership defined by cooperation and coordination rather than hegemonistic expansion.

Fixed Framework

By invoking the original thinking of Shri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda, and Swatantryaveer Savarkar, the RSS framework suggests that India’s rise is not an imitation of Western dominance but a restoration of an indigenous, virtuous power. This is reflected in the way the current administration frames its global outreach, emphasizing “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family) while simultaneously fortifying its domestic defense and economic self-reliance through initiatives like “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.

The practical application of Joshi’s “four ways of Dharma” also provides a lens through which to view recent social and administrative shifts. The emphasis on “Achar Dharma” (civil conduct) and “Samaj Dharma” (social conduct) has increasingly manifested in state-led campaigns that prioritize “duties” over “rights,” such as the “Kartavya Path” initiative. By framing social harmony and national conduct as spiritual and moral obligations rather than just legal compliances, the state is effectively operationalizing the RSS’s goal of instilling “Rashtrabhav” in the citizenry.

Central Pillar

Joshi’s description of the demolition of the Babri structure as an act of national restoration—rather than a religious conflict—reflects a broader effort to decolonize the Indian mind and reclaim historical dignity. This ideological directive has been consistently advanced through the legal and cultural consecration of the Ram Mandir, the renaming of colonial-era cities, and the overhaul of the Indian penal code to remove colonial vestiges. By framing these actions as the “prime duty” of every person with a sense of belonging to the nation, the ideological core of the RSS has successfully moved from the periphery of social discourse to the very center of India’s legislative and executive agenda.