When Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the special ₹100 coin commemorating the centenary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), it was not just a symbolic gesture—it was a moment of historic acknowledgement. At long last, the Republic officially recognised the immense, often thankless, service of an organisation that has been shaping India’s national consciousness for a hundred years. Founded in 1925 by Dr. K.B. Hedgewar, the RSS has walked alongside the nation through its most turbulent decades—colonial subjugation, Partition’s trauma, wars with hostile neighbours, and the continuing task of building a united, self-confident India. Through all of this, it never sought glory, wealth, or political spoils. Its currency has always been discipline, selfless service, and a deep commitment to national integrity. That a coin now bears testimony to its legacy is fittingly poetic. For decades, the Sangh has quietly mobilised lakhs of swayamsevaks—ordinary men and women who gave their time and strength to social work, relief during natural disasters, rural education, health initiatives, and the spread of cultural confidence. It built institutions when governments failed, and it created character when politics fell into decay. One can argue about ideology, but no one can deny the Sangh’s unmatched dedication to nation-building. And yet, for all its service, the RSS has often been maligned. Political opponents, blinded by ideology and electoral compulsions, have tried to paint it as a divisive force. At times, they have gone so far as to absurdly equate it with extremist outfits—a comparison not only false but deeply insulting to millions of patriots who have dedicated their lives in service to the motherland. The release of this coin, therefore, is more than ceremonial—it is a stinging rebuke to those who have spent decades vilifying the organisation. Critics have never understood the Sangh’s cultural mission.
Unlike political parties driven by power, the RSS has remained rooted in society. It adapts to changing times, absorbing aspirations of the people, yet never compromising on the foundational ideals of unity, discipline, and national sovereignty. This is why, even after a century, its appeal only grows stronger. From a modest shakha in Nagpur, it has become the world’s largest voluntary organisation, with a presence in every corner of India and even abroad among the Indian diaspora. Prime Minister Modi, himself a product of this disciplined cultural movement, deserves credit for having the courage to publicly honour his ideological parent body. It is easy for leaders to distance themselves once they rise in politics, but Modi’s acknowledgment is both an act of gratitude and a message to the nation: institutions that selflessly serve deserve recognition, not vilification. What makes the occasion even more significant is the Prime Minister’s cautionary note on the demographic changes happening in parts of the country. His warning cannot be brushed aside as rhetoric. For decades, the RSS has consistently raised concerns over unchecked demographic shifts and their impact on social cohesion and national security. Now, with the Prime Minister echoing those concerns, the issue has moved to the heart of national discourse. This centenary, then, is not just about looking back with pride, but also about looking forward with vigilance. The RSS, like India itself, stands at another crossroads. The challenges of the next century—demographic balance, cultural confidence, social harmony, technological transformation—will demand the same discipline, courage, and patriotism that have defined it since Hedgewar’s time. The ₹100 coin is, of course, symbolic. But symbols matter. They tell future generations who we chose to honour, and why. By minting the RSS into India’s official memory, the Prime Minister has ensured that the sacrifices and service of countless swayamsevaks will not be forgotten. For a hundred years, the Sangh has been called many names by its detractors. Today, it can be called what it always aspired to be: the conscience keeper of the nation.
