New Delhi: The Government of India has announced the release of a postage stamp and a commemorative coin to mark 100 years of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The decision has triggered a wave of criticism, with questions raised about the state’s constitutional duty to remain secular.
Commemorative stamps and coins are typically issued to honor cultural icons, freedom fighters, or milestones of broad national consensus. By choosing the RSS, which is closely linked to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, the government faces accusations of breaching the neutrality expected of a secular state. Critics argue that this step represents an official endorsement of a partisan ideological group, narrowing the line between government and party apparatus.
Reports suggest the decision was implemented in “record time” following what officials described as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “spontaneous idea.” This speed has fueled claims that the move is politically motivated, rather than a carefully considered act of public commemoration. Some analysts interpret it as an attempt to reinforce unity within the Sangh Parivar and consolidate the RSS’s image through state recognition.
The announcement follows a series of recent speeches by the Prime Minister, in which he praised the RSS as the “banyan tree” of Indian culture and the “world’s biggest NGO.” Together, these actions highlight the growing influence of the RSS in public policy and official narrative. For opponents, the larger concern is whether the use of state symbols to honor the organization undermines India’s pluralistic and secular foundations.
