Mohan Bhagwat Defends RSS’s Legal Standing, Says “Even Hindu Dharma Isn’t Registered”

Bengaluru, November 9, 2025 — Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has defended the organisation’s legal status, asserting that it remains a lawful body even without formal registration. He compared the situation to Hindu Dharma, saying, “Even Hindu Dharma isn’t registered, yet it exists and functions.”

Addressing criticism from opposition leaders questioning why the RSS is not registered under any act, Bhagwat explained that the Sangh operates as a “body of individuals,” a category recognised by Indian law. He noted that the organisation, established in 1925 during British rule, was never required to register with the colonial administration.

“Some ask why the RSS is not registered. Should we have gone to the British government to seek approval? The law recognises us as a body of individuals. The Income Tax Department and Indian courts have accepted this,” Bhagwat said, citing legal precedents to back his claim.

He also reminded critics that the RSS had faced bans three times in history, which were all lifted by the courts. “If the RSS was illegal, whom did they ban? Each time, the judiciary reinstated us,” he said, emphasising the organisation’s legitimacy.

Bhagwat’s remarks came amid renewed political debate over the RSS’s role, finances, and lack of formal registration. The Congress recently questioned the group’s transparency and demanded legal accountability. In response, Bhagwat clarified that the RSS’s structure and operations fully comply with Indian laws, and its activities are open to public scrutiny.

He further added that the question of registration was irrelevant to the organisation’s functioning or legality. “Many institutions and traditions exist without being registered. Hindu Dharma is one such example,” he said, reiterating that the Sangh’s purpose is social and cultural, not commercial or political.

The RSS chief’s statement is seen as a direct rebuttal to ongoing political attacks and an attempt to reinforce the organisation’s image as a legitimate and patriotic body deeply embedded in India’s social fabric.