RSS Recognized as ‘Body of Individuals,’ Says Bhagwat, Hits Back at Critics

Bengaluru, Nov 9: Responding to criticism over the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) legal status, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday clarified that the organisation is officially recognised as a “body of individuals” and operates lawfully without mandatory registration.

Speaking during an in-house question-and-answer session in Bengaluru, Bhagwat took a veiled dig at Congress leaders questioning the RSS’s legitimacy. “RSS was established in 1925—do you expect us to have registered with the British government?” he asked.

Bhagwat explained that post-independence, the Government of India did not make registration compulsory, and the Income Tax Department as well as courts have acknowledged the RSS as a recognised entity. “We were banned thrice, so the government has clearly recognised our