Nagpur, November 9: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday recounted a little-known episode from the organisation's early history, recalling that a Muslim man named Ibrahim had spoken in defence of the RSS when an attempt was made to ban it in the Central Provinces Legislative Assembly in the 1930s, IANS reported.

Source: IANS via AsiaPost

Speaking at the inauguration of a newly constructed auditorium at the Nagpur Nagrik Sahakari Bank Limited headquarters, Bhagwat said that during the early years of the Sangh there were no swayamsevaks present in the Assembly to defend it, nor was there anyone supporting the RSS ideology.

"At that time, a person named Ibrahim raised his voice in support of the RSS, stating that the organisation should not be shut down as it is not communal," Bhagwat said. Quoting Ibrahim's address in the Assembly, he added: "I believe that those who say Hindustan is a 'Hindu Rashtra' should be sent to a mental hospital. However, I know Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar personally. He is not insane; he is a good person. Therefore, the RSS can never be communal."

Bhagwat noted that although the RSS was still relatively unknown in the 1930s, Hedgewar was a widely respected figure. "Since its inception, the organisation's identity has been shaped by its swayamsevaks. Today, after 100 years, swayamsevaks continue to be the real identity of the RSS," he said, in remarks also carried by ANI.

Source: ANI via Devdiscourse

Highlighting the life of RSS full-time workers (pracharaks), Bhagwat said individuals come with different abilities and qualities, but what unites them is complete dedication. He said that out of roughly 7 to 7.5 million volunteers who identify as swayamsevaks today, around 4,000 full-timers have set aside personal desires to live entirely for the nation's future, and described a swayamsevak's life as one lived free of ego and personal expectation, dedicated to the welfare of society.