Why USA Needs its Own Equivalent of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
- An organization inspired by the RSS could help this country navigate its current challenges by promoting unity, civic pride, and community resilience.
The strength and prospects of a society lie in its ability to unite its people through shared values, cultural roots, and active participation in community life. India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), loosely translated as National Volunteer Association, is a voluntary organization that blends cultural preservation and grassroots mobilization to address national challenges. As the United States struggles with cultural polarization, declining civic engagement, and a weakening sense of identity, creating an equivalent organization — adapted to American values — could help restore unity, promote civic responsibility, and cultivate a shared sense of purpose.
Originally, RSS was founded in 1925 during the British colonization period by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, to remedy the weakened Hindu society, which was fragmented based on internal socioeconomic stratification, as well as external religious-economic onslaught. After the 1947 Partition of British India with the separation of the Islamic republics of Pakistan and subsequently, Bangladesh, RSS aimed to strengthen the people of the secular Republic of India by uniting the people across religious, linguistic, caste, and regional lines.
Mislabeled as a Hindu chauvinistic organization by its malfeasant opponents, RSS defines a “Hindu” as anyone who regards India as their spiritual and cultural homeland, irrespective of their religion. It has fostered inclusivity through efforts like the formation of sister organizations like Muslim Rashtriya Manch for the Indian Muslims and Rashtriya Sikh Sangat for the Indian Sikhs. Through a network of shakhas (branches), the RSS provides ideological training, leadership development, and community service, impacting millions of lives. Its initiatives have inspired over 100,000 non-profit social organizations over the years, addressing diverse facets of Indian society. This model of fostering unity in diversity and empowering ordinary citizens is particularly relevant for the U.S., a nation marked by its heterogeneity. An American equivalent of the RSS could address modern challenges by emphasizing shared principles like democracy, liberty, and equality while celebrating the nation’s cultural heritage.
The decline in civic participation has left American communities fragmented and weakened. Voter turnout remains low, and fewer people engage in local organizations or volunteer activities. A grassroots organization like the RSS could revitalize civic engagement by encouraging Americans to take active roles in governance, community service, and public discourse. It could inspire individuals to invest in their neighborhoods, solve problems collaboratively, and rebuild trust in collective action.
One of the RSS’s strengths is its emphasis on leadership development on individual and organizational levels, rooted in discipline, selflessness, and service. Leaders like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi exemplify the transformative potential of this approach. The United States would greatly benefit from a similar pipeline of values-based leaders. The RSS system which includes regular close association with idealistic elders, along with a unique blend of inspirational games, stories, and songs, causes beneficial subconscious psychic impressions (actual term sanskar in the Sanskrit language) over the years, that transform children and young adults into dedicated leaders who are inclined and capable of shouldering the burdens of the society. In the U.S., where underserved urban and rural areas often lack positive role models and constructive outlets for teenage angsts and frustrations, such a system could foster integrity, empathy, and resilience among young people, preparing them to tackle modern challenges and lead with a sense of purpose.
RSS excels at rapid crisis response, from disaster relief to supporting vulnerable populations. A similar American organization could enhance community resilience by preparing citizens to address natural disasters, public health emergencies, and social challenges. This culture of mutual aid and solidarity would empower communities to be self-reliant and collaborative in times of need.
Along with the many organizations started by its members, RSS has played a vital role in preserving India’s cultural traditions. In the U.S., an equivalent organization could celebrate the nation’s diverse heritage while fostering a sense of shared history. By highlighting contributions from all cultural groups, it could create a unifying narrative that respects diversity and instills pride in the American story.
While the idea of creating an RSS equivalent in the U.S. is very appealing, it is not without challenges. The U.S. is a highly individualistic society, and any such organization would need to strike a balance between fostering collective action and respecting personal freedoms. Additionally, utmost care must be taken to ensure that the organization does not become exclusionary or overly politicized, as this would undermine its mission of unity.
To succeed, the organization would need to be strictly culturally American (whose definition will need to be agreed by experts), with not even perceived overtones of any religion, financially transparent, overtly inclusive, and adaptive to the ever-evolving unique cultural and social dynamics of American society. It should prioritize civic education, leadership development, and community service, ensuring that its activities resonate with people from all walks of life.
A long time has been wasted because of the regular propaganda and constant denigration of RSS by many well-known and powerful malevolent actors in the West, together with their Indian henchpersons. As we approach the 100th year of its founding, an appreciative analysis of RSS is warranted by unbiased stakeholders in America to cull philosophic and methodological aspects, which can be emulated for the betterment of American society.
Based on those findings, an organization inspired by the RSS could help the U.S. navigate its current challenges by promoting unity, civic pride, and community resilience. By fostering leadership, preserving cultural heritage, and addressing polarization, such a movement would reaffirm the American ideal of e pluribus unum — out of many, one — and lay the groundwork for a more inclusive, cohesive, and prosperous society.
Mandar Pattekar, a radiologist by profession, is the regional vice president of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, USA. His service interest is in the education of children in underserved urban areas of America as well as improving urban food deserts. He likes to share the universally applicable Hindu Dharma principles with interested people.
