“No Option But to Be Powerful”: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Frames Strength as Civilisational Imperative

 New Delhi | May 25, 2025 — In a firm articulation of India’s evolving national security philosophy, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat has said that India "has no option but to be powerful," framing national strength not merely as a matter of geopolitical strategy but as a civilisational necessity. His remarks come as the RSS prepares to mark its centenary and follow closely after the Indian armed forces concluded Operation Sindoor.

“We are not doing this to dominate world trade, but to ensure that everyone should be able to lead a peaceful, healthy and empowered life. We have no option but to be powerful as we have been witnessing the wickedness of the evil forces on all our borders,” Bhagwat said in an exclusive interview with Organiser, the Sangh-affiliated publication.

Bhagwat underscored that national security begins at the societal level—not solely with the state. “You must defend yourselves. Don’t wait for someone else to do it for you,” he stated. “People say Hindus are targeted abroad. But when Hindus stand strong, the world takes note.”

Delivered in a measured and deliberate tone, Bhagwat’s remarks appeared to signal a broader call to action—not only to policymakers and strategists, but to Hindu society at large. The RSS chief’s emphasis on self-reliance and civilisational clarity echoed the principles behind Operation Sindoor, which prioritized military jointness, rapid readiness, and forward deployment.

Bhagwat’s strategic framing also went beyond conventional paradigms of defence. He highlighted caste harmony, ecological responsibility, and the reinforcement of family values as integral to long-term national resilience. “How can a fractured society defend itself?” he asked, linking these social imperatives to the RSS vision of Panch Parivartan—a five-fold transformation agenda that the organisation ties to India's future security architecture.

Perhaps his most striking comment was on deterrence and sovereignty:
“Grant us such a strength that globally we are invincible. True strength is internal. For national security, we must not be dependent on others. We should be able to defend ourselves. No one should be able to conquer us – not even if multiple powers come together. There are evil forces in the world who are aggressive by nature. We don’t pray for war, but we prepare so that war is not needed.”

In expanding the Sangh’s vision of security, Bhagwat highlighted the importance of psychological and cultural preparedness. National security, in his view, transcends borders and barracks—it is rooted in the preservation of identity and civilisational self-confidence.

He also addressed the plight of Hindu minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh, applauding what he sees as a growing will to resist oppression.
“This time the way anguish against the atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh has been expressed, this is unprecedented. Even local Hindus now say – We won’t flee. We’ll stay and fight for our rights. Now, the internal strength of the Hindu society is increasing. As the organisation grows, its impact will translate naturally. Until then, we must keep fighting. Wherever Hindus are there in the world, we will do everything possible for them following the international norms, Sangh exists for the same,” he said.

Bhagwat’s statements reflect a widening of the national security discourse to include cultural resilience and social unity as strategic assets. As India continues to navigate regional tensions and global expectations, the RSS vision offers a parallel doctrine—anchored not just in defence policy, but in the civilisational psyche of the nation.