Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat Warns Against Politicised Protests and Foreign Regime-Change Plots

On October 20, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed the organisation’s annual Vijayadashami gathering in Nagpur. He said protests are inevitable in a democracy but must aim at solutions rather than deepening divisions. Bhagwat warned that “Western forces” are attempting to destabilise India, citing unrest in France, Albania, Bangladesh and Nepal as examples.

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The speech came amid demonstrations across India over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a NEET-UG paper leak and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Police actions against largely peaceful demonstrators have drawn criticism on social media, especially from younger citizens.

RSS chief says regime-change protests rarely solve problems, warns foreign forces may exploit unrest

Bhagwat highlighted the RSS’s grassroots work in education, noting initiatives in 1,296 schools across 210 districts in 21 states that have reportedly improved attendance, learning levels and parental participation.

Mohan Bhagwat's message to protesters: Agitate, but for solutions

• Bhagwat urged political leaders, law-enforcement agencies and protest organisers to ensure their actions do not create “discord, hatred, bitterness or divisions” and to respect constitutional limits.

Mohan Bhagwat's message to protesters: Agitate, but for solutions

• He argued that foreign entities exploit social unrest to promote “victimhood” and chaos, seeking to weaken a “stronger India.”

With France, Albania Examples, RSS Chief Warns Against "Regime Change" Bid

• Israeli Consul General Yaniv Revach, attending the event, said India and Israel share common values and face similar challenges, emphasizing the need to engage youth with heritage, culture and technology.

Telegraph India

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan contended that the Delhi protests over SIR irregularities had become “a fight for regime change.” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accused unnamed groups of using young people to foment unrest, while BJP national spokesperson C.R. Kesavan called Bhushan’s remarks a “smokescreen” for an opposition agenda.

Hindustan Times

• “Problems will remain. There will be agitations because of these problems, and in a democracy, agitations are inevitable. But what should agitations be for? They should be for solutions,” — Mohan Bhagwat

Mohan Bhagwat's message to protesters: Agitate, but for solutions

• “Some Western forces are trying to destabilise societies. Look at what is happening in France and Albania, and at the developments in Bangladesh and Nepal. External influence is fuelling such unrest, with talk of regime change. But regime change by itself does not necessarily solve a country’s problems.” — Mohan Bhagwat

‘Regime change doesn't necessarily solve problems’: Mohan Bhagwat says some forces 'trying to weaken India'

Media outlets differ on the character of the protests: some describe them as “peaceful,” others cite police-reported instances of “undue force.” No definitive data on injuries or arrests has been provided, leaving the scale of the state response unclear. While Bhagwat cites foreign interference, specific evidence linking external actors to Indian protests has not been disclosed.

‘There should be no problem in singing Vande Mataram’: Mohan Bhagwat