Sentinels of Democracy: Message of the Centenary Year of the Sangh
The Centenary Year of the Sangh: From the Flames of Emergency to the Light of Service
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is entering its centenary year. During the 1975 Emergency, millions of volunteers endured prison torture and went underground to protect democracy. This struggle was not only a testament to the organization’s strength, but also a chapter that deeply nurtured the roots of Indian democracy. Emerging from the flames of the Emergency, the Sangh established new dimensions in the fields of social service, education, health, rural development, and national unity. The celebration of the centenary year is a saga of past glory and a pledge to build the India of the future.
India’s modern history is filled with many ups and downs and struggles. From the freedom movement to the protection of democracy after independence, many organizations and personalities played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s direction. Among these, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is one such organization that not only contributed to the cultural and social spheres of nation-building, but also played a leading role in protecting democratic values under the most difficult circumstances. In particular, the Emergency of 1975-77 was a significant test for Indian democracy. This period provided an opportunity to test the Sangh’s organizational capacity, courage, and patriotism. Today, as the Sangh approaches its centenary year (2025-26), it is natural to recall how the struggle during the Emergency shaped Indian politics and society.
Background of the Emergency
On June 25, 1975, then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency in the country. The official reason given was internal unrest, but the real cause was political. The Allahabad High Court had declared Indira Gandhi’s election invalid, jeopardizing her prime ministership. To preserve power, she imposed the emergency, disregarding the very spirit of the Constitution.
During this period, civil liberties were curtailed. The press was censored, and millions of dissenters were jailed. Leaders of opposition parties, as well as social organizations and activists, were targeted. This was a dark period for Indian democracy.
The trials and struggles of the Sangha
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was a vast organization at that time. Millions of volunteers were engaged in social service and instilling patriotism in villages and cities. As soon as the Emergency was imposed, the government banned the RSS. Thousands of volunteers were imprisoned. It is estimated that over 100,000 activists were arrested, and approximately 30,000 volunteers went underground and continued the movement secretly.
The Sangh’s greatest strength was that it unflinchingly took on the challenge of defending democracy. While many opposition leaders were imprisoned, Sangh volunteers operated underground, raising public awareness. They circulated secret leaflets, delivered messages, and, through Satyagraha, instilled a spirit of resistance among the people. It was this organizational discipline and courage that kept the campaign to save democracy alive across the country.
Underground movement and organizational capacity
During the Emergency, the Sangh utilized its strong branch system and disciplined organization. Thousands of activists kept the movement afloat while living underground. Messages were delivered from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Nagpur, Kolkata, Chennai, and Lucknow to every village.
The central government repeatedly claimed that the protests had ended, but the RSS’s clandestine activities continued to plague the government. This led the Indira Gandhi government to specifically target the RSS and use all its might to crush it. However, the truth is that as the repression increased, the RSS’s resistance grew with equal force.
Restoration of democracy and the Janata Party government
The 21-month period of Emergency taught the public the importance of freedom and democracy. When elections were announced in 1977, anger erupted across the country against Indira Gandhi and the Congress. RSS volunteers, along with leaders of opposition parties, made a significant contribution to the election campaign.
The Janata Party was formed and achieved an unexpected victory. Indira Gandhi was defeated resoundingly. This marked a watershed moment in Indian politics, where the Sangh not only defended democracy but also provided a strong foundation for an alternative political stream.
Impact of an Emergency on society
A major positive aspect of the Emergency was that it awakened the public. They realized the importance of civil liberties and strengthened their resolve to protect democracy. The Sangh launched a massive campaign to ensure this awareness endured.
Even today, when democracy and freedom of expression are discussed, the Emergency is often cited. This period symbolizes the necessity of organized resistance against the oppression of power in any democratic nation.
The current role of the Sangh and the significance of its centenary year
The Sangh is entering its centenary year today. Founded by Dr. Hedgewar in Nagpur on Vijayadashami in 1925, the organization has set an unparalleled example of service, organization, and nation-building over the past hundred years
The struggle during the Emergency further strengthened the Sangh’s image. Today, the Sangh is not limited to its branches, but is also active in numerous areas such as education, health, rural development, disaster management, environmental protection, women’s empowerment, and social harmony.
To mark the centenary, the Sangh has planned a massive public awareness campaign. Millions of volunteers will go door-to-door across the country. Efforts will be made to reach every segment of society to further strengthen national unity and cultural awakening.
The struggle and surrender of the Sangh
The Emergency was the most difficult test for Indian democracy, and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) passed it, proving that the power of organization is the true ally of change. Thousands of volunteers endured the tortures of prison, fought underground, and ensured that the flame of democracy was not extinguished.
Today, as the Sangh enters its centenary year, it is not merely a celebration of an organization but a symbol of the nation’s resilience, which has placed democracy and freedom above all else in every crisis. The Emergency struggle is an inspiration for generations to come, and it sends the message that no power, no repression, can long halt the tide of change.
In this centenary year, the Sangh is not only commemorating the glorious history of the past, but also charting the course for building the India of the future – an India that is culturally rich, socially harmonious, and politically empowered.
