Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat delivered his annual Vijayadashmi address in Nagpur on Thursday, coinciding with the centenary celebrations of the organisation. Speaking at length on regional and global issues, Bhagwat expressed concern over regime changes in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal, attributing them to violent public uprisings. He warned that similar disruptive forces exist both inside and outside India, seeking to destabilize the nation. Stressing the need for democratic means to bring about change, Bhagwat highlighted India’s cultural and historic ties with its neighbours, asserting that peace and stability in the region are essential not only for Bharat’s security but also for the wellbeing of South Asia. He also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, describing them as role models of humility, sacrifice, and dedication.

Turning to internal security, the RSS chief claimed that Naxalism has been significantly weakened due to government action and growing public disillusionment with extremist ideology. He noted that the movement’s earlier popularity was rooted in injustice, underdevelopment, and administrative insensitivity in tribal areas. With those hurdles gradually addressed, Bhagwat urged the government to implement comprehensive plans focusing on justice, development, empathy, and harmony in regions once dominated by Naxals. His remarks underlined the importance of sustaining progress through inclusive governance and continued vigilance, ensuring that extremist tendencies do not re-emerge.

Bhagwat also touched on pressing global and domestic challenges. He criticized the US for its tariff policies, arguing that no nation can survive in isolation and warning that overdependence on foreign powers should not become a compulsion. Instead, he called for greater reliance on Swadeshi and self-reliance while maintaining healthy diplomatic ties. On climate change, he warned of the visible consequences of reckless development models, particularly in the Himalayas where irregular rainfall, glacier depletion, and landslides have intensified. Citing these environmental shifts as a “warning bell,” Bhagwat urged Bharat and its neighbours to adopt sustainable practices. His wide-ranging address reflected a blend of caution, nationalism, and calls for resilience as India marks a century of the RSS’s existence.