Addressing a gathering of volunteers and invitees, Bhagwat made it clear that leadership within the RSS is not determined by caste or social background. “Belonging to any caste—Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra, or Scheduled Castes and Tribes—is not a qualification to become the Sarsanghchalak. Anyone who works for the Hindu organisation with dedication can hold the post,” he said.
On the issue of his own tenure, Bhagwat said the RSS has an internal culture of accountability and discipline. “If the Sangh tells me to step aside, I will do so without hesitation,” he remarked, adding that the organisation has never forced anyone to retire but continues to take work from its volunteers for as long as they are willing and able.
During his address, Bhagwat also touched upon several policy and social issues. He said the Uniform Civil Code should be framed by taking all sections of society into confidence and must not become a source of division. On the economy, he expressed hope that the India–US trade agreement had been concluded keeping national interests in mind.
The RSS chief reiterated the organisation’s stand on infiltration, saying the government must have a clear and effective system to identify and deport illegal entrants. He said such a process had begun and should continue in a systematic manner.
Commenting on language, Bhagwat said English would never be the Sangh’s primary working language as it is not an Indian language, though he emphasised that learning English is important. “People should learn English but must not forget their mother tongue,” he said.
Bhagwat also restated the RSS position that it does not seek political power and does not work for publicity. “Too much publicity leads to show-off and ego. Publicity should be limited and timely, like rain,” he said.
In recent weeks, Bhagwat has made several high-profile statements, including asserting that everyone living in India is a Hindu in a cultural sense and that identifying illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants is the government’s responsibility.
The remarks made at the centenary programme are likely to draw political attention, particularly his comments on Savarkar, leadership norms within the RSS, and issues such as the UCC and infiltration, which continue to shape national discourse.
