Full Breakdown
RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale Calls for Behavioural Change to End Caste Discrimination
By Drooid · · How we work
India’s Rise and Social Cohesion: Hosabale’s Address
On September 20, 2026, RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale addressed more than 30,000 volunteers at the Lal Parade Ground in Bhopal. He described caste-based discrimination and untouchability as a “blot” on Hindu society and argued that laws or sermons alone cannot eradicate them. Hosabale urged individuals to begin the transformation within their own homes and daily conduct, linking social unity to India’s broader rise on the global stage. He also highlighted the RSS’s centenary year programmes, noting that the organisation’s work will continue beyond the anniversary.
Background & Context
The speech came as the RSS concluded its centenary celebrations, a period marked by references to India’s “5,000-year-old civilisational journey” and its repeated resurgence after crises. Three days earlier, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had spoken at the Yuva Dharma Sansad in Ujjain, warning that personal ego can create the illusion of total control, using the sun as an example. That remark framed Hosabale’s call for humility and collective responsibility.
Official Statements & Responses
He cited the Ramayana episode of Lord Ram accepting berries from Shabari to illustrate that caste prejudice contradicts core Hindu values.
He linked social cohesion to national resilience, using the metaphor of four fingers forming a fist to convey the strength of unity across caste, sect, language and region. Hosabale also called for everyday environmental stewardship, urging volunteers to keep rivers clean and integrate conservation into homes, schools and workplaces. Regarding patriotism, he noted that it should extend beyond a single day such as January 26, becoming a constant, round-the-clock feeling.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There should be no discrimination of any kind among human beings. Birth-based discrimination is not part of Hindu culture,” — Mr. Hosabale, general secretary
- “Any kind of mistreatment in the name of caste weakens society,” — Mr. Hosabale, general secretary
- “The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is working towards the ultimate glory of Bharat. The Sangh's centenary year is drawing to a close, but there is no full stop to its work, nor to Bharat's journey.” — Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
Data & Statistics
- Attendance: over 30,000 RSS volunteers gathered at the Bhopal event.
Why It Matters
Hosabale’s remarks tie the eradication of caste discrimination to India’s international reputation. By framing social reform as essential to the country’s “service-driven” rise, the RSS positions itself as a moral catalyst for both domestic cohesion and global perception. The emphasis on personal behaviour suggests a shift from legalistic approaches toward grassroots cultural change, potentially influencing future policy discussions on untouchability and social equity.
