Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has cautioned against viewing the organization through a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lens, asserting that such comparisons or political perspectives often lead to misunderstandings. Addressing the RSS 100 Vyakhyan Mala programme in Kolkata on Sunday, December 21, 2025, Bhagwat emphasized that the RSS should not be mistaken for merely another service organization.

Bhagwat stated, "If you want to understand the 'Sangh,' making comparisons will lead to misunderstandings". He also cautioned against the common tendency to link the RSS solely with the BJP, calling it "a huge mistake". He highlighted the organization's ongoing efforts to build a healthy society and strong nation through ethically grounded and socially committed individuals. The core objective of the RSS, he explained, is to cultivate "sajjan"—morally upright and virtuous individuals who contribute to national pride and development through selfless service and value-based living.

Bhagwat's remarks have sparked discussion, considering the long-debated relationship between the RSS and the BJP. He said that the RSS has good coordination with the Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre, as it did with earlier governments. In August, during a lecture series commemorating the RSS's centenary year, Bhagwat acknowledged potential "differences of opinion" between the RSS and BJP while working towards national goals, but affirmed that there were no fundamental disagreements. He clarified that while the RSS can offer advice, the BJP makes the final decisions.

Bhagwat addressed misconceptions about the RSS, attributing them to misleading campaigns and those whose narrow interests might be threatened by the organization's growth. He urged people to base their opinions on facts rather than narratives or secondary information. He stated that the RSS has no political agenda but is focused on the betterment and protection of Hindu society. Bhagwat has in the past stated that the core principle of the RSS is the belief that India is a Hindu Rashtra.

Bhagwat's recent addresses are part of a series of events held in cities including Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, aiming to disseminate the RSS's message and prepare India for a leadership role on the global stage. The RSS aims to present its reality and prepare society to become a 'Vishwaguru'.