New York, August 30: Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), stated that the organization serves people without any religious discrimination. He cited an example of assistance provided by the RSS during an air accident involving two planes from Arab countries, which primarily carried Muslim passengers.
Addressing a gathering of religious leaders at the “One World, One Humanity” conference in New York, Bhagwat emphasized that dialogue between communities should be accompanied by service.
“Dialogue is the first step. Service is the second step. It is not that one follows the other; both should begin together,” he said.
Bhagwat highlighted that service has been a core aspect of the RSS’s work since its inception, with volunteers not inquiring about the religion or identity of those in need.
“From the beginning, we have been serving. We do not discriminate while providing service. We serve anyone who needs help,” he added.
He mentioned that RSS volunteers are currently running 130,000 service projects at various levels, reinforcing his point with the example of the plane collision in Haryana.
Bhagwat noted that RSS volunteers arrived at the scene and provided assistance without regard for the passengers’ religion. Both planes were from Arab countries, and most of the passengers were Muslims.
He explained that volunteers treated some survivors, retrieved bodies, assisted with funeral arrangements, and later helped relatives identify the victims.
“At that time, we never thought that these were Muslims. We could do this because we are not involved in politics. We just give. We do not want anything in return,” he stated.
Bhagwat acknowledged that certain perceptions about the RSS have developed because the organization has not publicized most of its work. He urged people to look inside the organization and understand it before forming any opinions.
“This is why we are quite behind in terms of publicity. Misunderstandings have arisen due to false narratives and perceptions. But once you come and see us from the inside, all those misunderstandings will disappear in a day,” he said.
He also mentioned that service can bring about change in those receiving help. “Through such projects, people who recover from difficult situations often return to help others, without anyone asking them to,” he added.
Referring to feedback from beneficiaries, Bhagwat said, “This project has given me a lot. Now I also want to give something back. We do not ask them to do this, but this feeling arises naturally.”
He urged religious leaders to present similar examples of selfless service in their countries and to connect continuously through dialogue.
It is noteworthy that in 1996, a collision occurred in the air between a Saudi Arabian Airlines plane and a Kazakhstan Airlines plane in Haryana, resulting in the deaths of all 349 people on board, marking one of the deadliest aviation accidents in history.
The RSS was founded in 1925 in Nagpur by K.B. Hedgewar and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025. The organization has a nationwide network of volunteers and works in areas such as education, social service, labor, and tribal welfare.
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