Guwahati: After addressing the distinguished audience in New York (on 29 August 2026) and Toronto (31 August), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat graced another interactive session in London on 6 September last, where he answered a series of questions relating to the Sangh’s journey of 100 years. “If I have to mention a single principle, I would mention Apnapan, which means shuddha sattvik prem (pure, selfless love for everyone). That is the traditional nature of a Hindu: love for the individual, for the community, for society, and for humanity as a whole. Hindus can provide a balanced view of the world,” the RSS chief said.
On Sangh Sewa activities, Dr Bhagwat said, “Swayamsevaks are active in virtually every sphere of human life, making it difficult to summarise the full extent of their work. Even those who oppose us for political reasons recognize the value of our work and the qualities of swayamsevaks. From time to time, they seek our cooperation in crucial matters and engage in dialogue with us. This reflects the broad acceptance of our work across society. Where nobody is doing anything, Sangh is doing sewa. From Ladakh to Kanyakumari.”
Answering the question on what should be the one piece of wisdom for the next 100 years for the Sangh, he said the Sangh has to continue the work it did, for the next hundred years. He said, “First thing that comes to my mind is it should not take so long to complete all work. There are two generations now in Sangha more. So five generations are working together. Before seventh generation, the organising of the Hindu society should be completed.”
What Hindu civilisation brings to the world that is essential, while explaining this question, Bhagwat said, “All Hindu thoughts have been based on this single theme. There is a reason why there is karma. Existence is really one. It appears to be diverse. Diversity is our nature. So we have to accept them; we have to respect them. But we have to deal with diversities keeping in mind that these are the various decorations of unity of existence. One has become many, therefore many are respected. All is one. On this basis, we deal with everything.”
The word Hindu, we cannot understand on the basis of any religious practice or lifestyle. Hindu is a nature. Society needs nature to accept and respect all diversities, because it holds that all ways lead to the same goal. When we look at that unity, then we can respect and accept all diversity. That is Hindu thought. That kind of nature is Hindu nature. That has been history of Hindu society and Bharat. So, when we say Hindu, it is not a religion. It is not merely a word. There may be Hindu religions, but religions, despite their specific philosophies and practices, can exist within this broader Hindu civilisational framework, he explained on a question regarding the concept of ‘Hindu Rashtra’ and ‘Hindutva’.
When asked about the role of the future generation, Bhagwat said he is more confident about them. They have the urge to make the world a better place, and they are ready to shed their petty differences of all kinds for this purpose. “They are more honest. It naturally happens as we grow older. We go through so many experiences, so we become cautious. We don’t speak freely all the time. We always think about what will happen because we know what may happen. The younger generation does not have these experiences. If they find something right, they will just embrace it and do it. They are not worried about the consequences because they are young. So, if we give this purpose to them and provide them with the necessary knowledge and insights from our experience, without imposing them on them, we should let them find their own way,” he added.
On the role of young Hindus in dealing with future challenges for Bharat, he said that the duty is coming to the young generation only to live their values. And therefore, in seva also, they will have to do that. Seva must be done selflessly. It is not the upakar. It is not something being very compassionate you are doing to humanity. We say seva is your chance to get nearer to God. You are not doing something good to those whom you serve. They are doing immense good to you by giving you the chance to serve. So seva should be done with this attitude.
What does the Sangh expect from the British Hindu, answering this question, the Sanrsanghchalak elaborated that there is no conflict. If British Hindus are achhe, pakke, sachche Hindus, there will never be a conflict between British and Bharat’s interests. If, at all, such a situation arises, it is obvious that British Hindus will go with Britain. Exceptions may happen, but Hindutva is clear on this.
“Your karmabhumi is where your loyalty lies. Your Janmabhumi, or the land of your origin or birthplace, and your Punyabhumi are where you receive your values. You have to live those values in your Karmabhumi, serving the land where you live,” he added. The dialogue was moderated by Mamata Subranhamnyam, a wellness expert based in the UK. The event, organised by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), drew 600 distinguished personalities in the audience representing 326 organisations. The Program began in silence, in memory of lives lost and families displaced by the recent Nepal floods.
