The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has often faced predictions of its demise, only to emerge stronger. This phenomenon is a testament to its adaptability and strategic approach, mirroring the idea of “one step back, two steps forward,” a tactic often associated with the RSS’s ideological opponents. This strategy has allowed the organization to flourish for over a century, making it a unique entity in India, known for its organization, discipline, and consistency. This is particularly remarkable given the challenges posed by its adversaries. The RSS’s unwavering dedication to its ideology is central to its resilience; its members, though sometimes subdued, always return with renewed vigor. This quality has earned the RSS the moniker of the phoenix, rising from its own ashes.
Throughout its hundred-year history, the RSS has faced three official bans: following the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, during the Emergency of 1975, and after the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992. However, in each instance, the government failed to produce concrete evidence linking the RSS to the incidents. Neither the Gandhi assassination, nor any conspiracy against the Indira Gandhi government in 1975, nor the demolition of the Babri Masjid could be directly attributed to the RSS. Consequently, the bans were lifted each time. Even after the defeat to China in October 1962, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru included an RSS contingent in the Republic Day parade of January 26, 1963. The RSS has consistently presented itself as a cultural organization, never explicitly identifying as a Hindu organization.
