RSS ABKM 2026 | When the righteous stay silent, anarchic forces grow louder: Dattatreya Hosabale

“When the Sajjan Shakti of society remains confined to its homes, anarchic forces become louder,” observed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale while addressing a press conference on November 4, the concluding day of the three-day Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal Baithak held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, from November 2 to 4, 2026. Hosabale said 407 members were expected to attend the meeting, but six Karyakartas could not participate due to health-related reasons or family engagements. Reflecting on the centenary year, which concluded with this year’s Vijayadashami, he said programmes were organised across Bharat and abroad, with extensive cooperation from society. Swayamsevaks reached out to different sections, established contact with the Sajjan Shakti and expressed gratitude for its support. The meeting reviewed these activities, recent Seva Karya and other subjects, and issued three statements. Relief and Rehabilitation Highlighting relief work following natural disasters, Hosabale said floods in Upper Assam affected 67,700 families across 805 villages and destroyed more than 1,500 houses. Sivasagar and Jorhat, which do not usually experience such flooding, faced an unexpected crisis following heavy rainfall near the Nagaland hills. More than 1,600 Swayamsevaks reached 42,200 families with food, water, medicines and essential supplies. Construction materials were arranged for around 150 families, while more than Rs 5 crore was collected with society’s support. In Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, cyclonic damage affected Kandhamal, Ganjam, Srikakulam and Vijayawada. Livestock perished, thousands of coconut trees were destroyed and electricity remained disrupted for five to six days after poles were uprooted. Swayamsevaks helped restore power, arranged lighting, and provided food and water. They also arranged boats and fishing nets for affected fishing communities. In Uttar Pradesh, floods affected more than 40,000 families in Lucknow, forcing around 25,000 to move to safer places. More than 300 Swayamsevaks worked alongside the administration for four to five days. In Chitrakoot, the overflowing Mandakini River affected over 2,000 families in 28 villages. Around 350 Swayamsevaks worked round the clock, providing food and water to more than 6,000 people for eight to ten days and medical assistance to approximately 5,600. Expansion of Sangh Karya Hosabale said the Sangh expanded its activities through regular organisational growth and by starting shakhas at new locations for periods of one week to ten days. He reported that more than one lakh new shakhas had been established during the period. Daily shakhas were functioning at 63,208 locations, an increase of 8,156 over October last year, while their total number stood at 99,433, up by 12,025. The Sangh also had 34,982 Saptahik Milan (weekly gatherings), an increase of more than 2,600, and 14,096 Masik Mandali (monthly gatherings), up by 463. The latter help maintain contact in remote, Janjatiya and hilly areas. Overall, Sangh activities had expanded to 1,03,397 locations, an increase of 10,231. Centenary-Year Outreach Hosabale said 65,664 Hindu Sammelans, also called Dharma Sammelans, were organised across 3,08,429 villages to bring together different sections of Hindu society and promote Panch Parivartan. Discussions encouraged people to stay away from social evils and addictions, strengthen village unity, promote mutual cooperation and adopt a positive way of life. Of these gatherings, 28,514 were held in urban Bastis and 37,080 in rural areas. Around 4,93,76,000 people participated. The outreach included 28 Sammelans in Arunachal Pradesh and programmes in Ladakh. A gathering in Port Blair drew more than 5,000 participants. The three-week nationwide Griha Sampark Abhiyan covered 4,63,340 villages, 41,825 urban Bastis and 10,22,05,665 households. Swayamsevaks spent five to 25 minutes at each household discussing the Sangh and Panch Parivartan. Around 95–99 per cent of people welcomed them. Contact was established in 54,937 of the country’s 59,008 Mandals. Special youth programmes were organised for people below 35 years. Programmes for college students were held at 21,237 locations and those for young professionals at 14,285 locations. A total of 57,243 programmes were organised, with participation from 31,26,404 college students and 6,90,800 young professionals. The Sangh also organised 3,207 Prabuddh Jan Goshtis at district headquarters, with approximately 4,29,000 participants. In addition, 1,346 Social Harmony Meetings were held in cities and 5,028 in blocks, with 3,79,581 representatives and social leaders participating. Representatives of various organisations and traditions, including Jain, Sikh and Bauddh communities, took part in these gatherings. Drug Addiction Hosabale said the meeting discussed growing drug consumption and addiction among youth. The Sangh would bring together organisations, institutions and NGOs working to prevent addiction. He pointed out that drug trafficking involved extensive international trade and cross-border networks, whose control was primarily the administration’s responsibility. He also referred to steps taken by the Union Government and the Union Home Minister. Rehabilitation, mental counselling and family-related concerns of those already affected also needed attention. Organisational Changes He said the Sangh’s existing structure of 46 Prants would be reorganised into 88 Sambhags following the organisational process in November and December. Elections of Prant Sanghchalaks and the formation of new Prant executive committees would also take place. The meeting discussed the distribution of responsibilities across the 88 Sambhags to strengthen coordination of Sangh Karya. Statements and International Outreach Hosabale said statements issued during the meeting paid tribute to Swami Shraddhanand Ji and Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati Ji for their work in protecting Hindu Dharma, preventing religious conversions and serving society. The third statement recalled Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s contribution to organising the Hindu Mela in Bengal with Navagopal Mitra around 200 years ago, with support from Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore and other personalities. It was issued in connection with Roy’s 200th birth anniversary year. Reflecting on the centenary year’s international outreach, Hosabale said Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat visited New York, London and Toronto in August and September, following invitations from organisations there. The programmes conveyed Bharat’s message of world unity, humanity, oneness and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Dr Bhagwat also visited a Swaminarayan temple and a Khalsa Gurudwara and interacted with university representatives and local communities. Hosabale said many participants were keen to understand the RSS’s organisational functioning, particularly its daily shakha system and the process of developing dedicated Swayamsevaks and Karyakartas committed to working for society. Digital […]