New York, August 30: Mohan Bhagwat, the leader 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 aviation accident involving two planes from Arab countries, most of whose passengers were Muslim.
Addressing a gathering of religious leaders at the “One World, One Humanity” event in New York, Bhagwat emphasized the importance of both dialogue and service among communities.
He remarked, “Dialogue is the first step. Service is the second step. It is not that one should follow the other; both should commence together.”
Bhagwat highlighted that service has been a core aspect of the RSS since its inception. Volunteers do not inquire about the religion or identity of those in need.
“We have been serving from the very beginning. We do not discriminate while providing assistance. We serve anyone who requires help,” he stated.
He noted that with community support, RSS volunteers are currently running 130,000 service projects at various levels. Bhagwat reinforced his point by referencing the plane collision in Haryana.
He explained that RSS volunteers arrived at the scene and provided aid without regard for the passengers’ faith. Both aircraft were from Arab nations, and the majority of the passengers were Muslims.
Bhagwat shared that volunteers treated some survivors, retrieved bodies, assisted with funeral arrangements, and later helped relatives identify the victims.
“At that moment, we never thought about their religion. We could do this because we are not involved in politics. We do this selflessly. We ask for nothing in return,” he added.
He acknowledged that some perceptions about the RSS have formed because the organization has not publicized most of its work. He urged people to understand the organization from within before forming opinions.
“This is why we lag in publicity. Misunderstandings have arisen due to false narratives. However, when you come and see us from the inside, all those misconceptions will disappear in a day,” he said.
Bhagwat asserted that the act of service can transform those who receive help. He noted that “people who recover from difficult situations through such projects often return to help others, without anyone prompting them.”
Referring to feedback from beneficiaries, Bhagwat said, “This project has given me so much. Now I feel the need to give back. We do not ask them to do this, but that feeling arises naturally.”
He urged religious leaders to present similar examples of selfless service in their countries and to connect through ongoing dialogue.
It is noteworthy that in 1996, a Saudi Arabian Airlines plane collided with a Kazakhstan Airlines plane in Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri. This incident is one of the deadliest mid-air collisions in aviation history, resulting in the deaths of all 349 people on board.
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 various sectors, including education, social service, labor, and tribal welfare.
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