RSS Backs Policies, Not Parties: Mohan Bhagwat Declares Open Support for Any Ram Temple Advocate

Bengaluru: RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat asserted on Sunday that the Sangh supports national policies, not political parties or individuals, stating its volunteers would have backed Congress had it championed the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Speaking at the RSS centenary event, Bhagwat clarified: “We do not engage in electoral politics. Sangh unites society; politics divides. If Congress had supported the Ram Mandir, our swayamsevaks would have voted for them. BJP fulfilled the demand—we stood with the policy.”

Dismissing notions of partisan loyalty, he said: “No party is ‘ours.’ All Bharatiya parties are ours. We back Rashtraneeti (nation-first governance), not rajniti (power politics).”

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On inclusivity, Bhagwat said: “No caste, no religion is ‘allowed’ in shakha. Muslims, Christians attend—**as sons of Bharat Mata**, leaving separateness outside. We don’t count who they are.”

Addressing Congress's demands for RSS registration, he retorted: “Sangh began in 1925—should we have registered with the British? Post-Independence, registration isn’t mandatory. We’re a recognised body of individuals. Banned thrice, courts lifted every ban. Even Hindu Dharma isn’t registered.”

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On the flag controversy, Bhagwat noted: “Sangh adopted the Bhagwa in 1925; the Tricolour was finalised in 1933. Gandhi modified the saffron flag proposal. We’ve always saluted and protected the national flag. Parties have their symbols—ours is Bhagwa; we revere both.”

The remarks follow sharp Congress attacks, including Mallikarjun Kharge’s call for an RSS ban. Bhagwat concluded: “Opposition only strengthens us.”