Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister and senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar, on Friday, made pointed remarks about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), describing it as a “newly born institution” without any significant historical legacy when compared to the Congress party’s century-old presence in Indian politics. His statement came only hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address, showered praise on the right-wing organisation, calling attention to its contributions over the years.
Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said that while the Congress party did not question the credentials of the RSS outright, it could not be compared to the Congress in terms of historical depth and political involvement. “RSS doesn’t have any history. It is a newly born institution. The Congress party has a much longer and deeper history in this country,” he said. He also recalled that for a long period, the RSS had refrained from hoisting the national flag, and he credited former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for initiating the tradition within the organisation. Shivakumar emphasised that the Congress party had always been at the forefront of safeguarding both the Indian Constitution and the unity of the nation.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s comments were a direct counter to Prime Minister Modi’s glowing tribute to the RSS, which will mark its centenary in October this year, coinciding with Vijaya Dashami celebrations. In his speech from the Red Fort, the Prime Minister described the RSS as the “world’s biggest NGO” and lauded its “very proud and glorious” journey over the past hundred years. Modi, who himself served as an RSS pracharak in his early years, highlighted the organisation’s mission of “vyakti nirman” (character building) and “rashtra nirman” (nation building), stressing that its volunteers had dedicated their lives to the service of the motherland since its founding in 1925.
Despite the Prime Minister’s praise, the Congress has long maintained a critical stance toward the RSS, questioning its role during the country’s independence struggle. Party leaders often point out that the RSS did not actively participate in significant anti-colonial movements such as the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit India Movement. Senior Congress MP Manickam Tagore responded to Modi’s remarks by reiterating that RSS founder KB Hedgewar distanced himself from the Congress’s freedom struggle to focus on “cultural nationalism.” He also cited historical records from the British era that labelled the RSS as a “non-threat” in contrast to organisations like the Congress or Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army. Tagore further alleged that during the Quit India Movement in 1942, then RSS chief MS Golwalkar discouraged members from joining the protests, and he accused the organisation of fostering “hate and division” among Indians — an ideology, he claimed, that led to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also criticised the Prime Minister’s decision to highlight the RSS during his Independence Day address. She called it “ironic” that on a day meant to celebrate the freedom struggle and honour its heroes, the Prime Minister chose to speak about the RSS rather than focus solely on the sacrifices of the nation’s freedom fighters. “RSS spreads hatred in the country. Talks about the heroes of the freedom movement should be delivered from the Red Fort, not narratives that divide,” she said.
The RSS, which is preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary later this year, remains both a deeply influential organisation and a lightning rod for political debate in India. While its supporters hail it as a cornerstone of nationalist thought and community service, its critics — especially within the Congress — continue to challenge its historical role and ideological stance. The upcoming centenary is likely to intensify this ongoing political discourse.
