The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is set to host its annual Vijayadashami event on October 2, 2025, in Nagpur, marking a century since the organisation’s founding in 1925. Former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, will attend as the chief guest, while the RSS chief, Dr. Mohan Bhagwat, is expected to deliver a keynote address that will likely carry significant political and ideological undertones. The event, deeply symbolic in the Sangh’s calendar, not only commemorates the organisation’s historical journey but also provides a platform to project its vision and influence on contemporary governance and public discourse. With the centenary celebrations adding a historic dimension, all eyes will be on the speeches, ceremonial rituals, and interactions that will unfold at the Reshimbagh headquarters in Nagpur. Ram Nath Kovind’s participation is being viewed as an indicator of the RSS’s continuing connections with political leadership, reflecting its ideological alignment with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while highlighting the Sangh’s role in shaping policy narratives and public sentiment over decades.
Vijayadashami: A Symbolic Date in RSS Calendar
Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, holds profound significance for the RSS, as it marks the day of its founding in 1925. The celebration is traditionally held at the organisation’s headquarters in Nagpur and is considered the most important annual gathering of its cadre. Over the years, the event has evolved into a stage where the Sangh articulates its ideological vision, addresses socio-political issues, and highlights the organisation’s achievements and priorities. The Vijayadashami event typically attracts senior political figures, social activists, and media attention, given the historical and cultural weight of the occasion. The centenary of the RSS adds an extra layer of prominence to this year’s gathering, transforming it into not only a commemoration of the organisation’s past but also a forward-looking statement about its relevance in contemporary India. The presence of Ram Nath Kovind, who served as the President of India from 2017 to 2022, underscores the interface between the Sangh and formal political structures, highlighting how ceremonial occasions intersect with political symbolism and ideological positioning.
Historically, Vijayadashami events have been moments for the RSS to underscore its core mission of “man-making and nation-building,” a principle highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 79th Independence Day address. Over the decades, the RSS has used this platform to address issues such as national integration, cultural revivalism, and governance reforms. Topics like the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir have featured prominently in speeches delivered during these gatherings, reinforcing the organisation’s ideological priorities while signaling its expectations from political leadership. The centenary celebration is expected to magnify these narratives, emphasizing the Sangh’s historical role in shaping public policy discourse and its influence on national politics.
The Vijayadashami event has always been marked by meticulous rituals, including ceremonial processions, collective chanting, and traditional presentations that underscore the Sangh’s emphasis on discipline, unity, and cultural identity. These rituals are not merely symbolic but also serve to reinforce the organisation’s cohesion and ideological commitment among its members. The 2025 gathering is anticipated to be a grander version, reflecting a century of organisational growth, the expansion of the Sangh’s network across the country, and its sustained efforts to engage with communities, governance institutions, and political entities. Analysts and political commentators are paying close attention to the selection of guests, the framing of speeches, and the ceremonial elements, as each of these can be read as indicative of the Sangh’s current priorities and strategic intentions.
Ram Nath Kovind’s Participation and Political Implications
The announcement of former President Ram Nath Kovind as the chief guest at the centenary Vijayadashami has generated considerable attention in political and media circles. Ram Nath Kovind’s association with the event is not only ceremonial but also symbolically significant, reflecting the ongoing synergy between the RSS and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Ram Nath Kovind’s tenure as President, which spanned from 2017 to 2022, coincided with a period of significant political consolidation for the BJP, and his presence at the centenary event is being interpreted as an affirmation of the ideological and historical ties between the Sangh and the ruling party. Ram Nath Kovind’s participation also signals the RSS’s continuing relevance in shaping elite discourse, as former heads of state are invited to public functions, lending legitimacy, prestige, and attention to organisational initiatives.
The presence of a former President at the RSS centenary underscores how ceremonial events are strategically used to project political narratives and consolidate support among ideological allies. In the past, the attendance of prominent figures, including former President Pranab Mukherjee at the Tritya Varsha Sangh Shiksha Varg in 2018, had triggered debates regarding political appropriateness and the boundaries of engagement between the Sangh and state institutions. Ram Nath Kovind’s participation in 2025 is expected to be observed similarly, with political analysts scrutinising the speeches, interactions, and messaging for indications of policy alignment, ideological emphasis, and the relationship between the Sangh and contemporary governance priorities. Such appearances underscore the blending of ceremonial tradition and political symbolism in India’s socio-political landscape.
The RSS, as the ideological backbone of the BJP, uses Vijayadashami events to reinforce strategic messaging to both its cadre and the wider public. Dr. Mohan Bhagwat’s keynote address will be particularly significant in this context, as it is closely watched for ideological cues, political commentary, and the signalling of organisational expectations. Over the years, Bhagwat has addressed topics ranging from national security and cultural revival to educational reform and social cohesion, with careful attention to how these themes resonate with the political climate. The centenary speech in 2025 is anticipated to combine reflection on the organisation’s historical journey with forward-looking statements that may influence policy debates, party strategy, and the broader ideological discourse in India.
The ceremonial and political significance of Ram Nath Kovind’s attendance extends beyond immediate optics, reflecting how high-profile events are used to construct narratives that intersect history, ideology, and governance. His presence lends authority to the proceedings, attracts media attention, and amplifies the messaging delivered by the RSS leadership. For the Sangh, such events serve a dual purpose: celebrating a historical milestone while reaffirming its relevance as a socio-political actor capable of influencing public discourse and policy priorities. The interplay between ceremonial grandeur, ideological rhetoric, and political symbolism is expected to dominate the coverage and commentary surrounding the centenary Vijayadashami.
The preparations for the 2025 Vijayadashami centenary have been extensive, with detailed planning for logistics, security, media engagement, and participation of dignitaries. Analysts highlight that every aspect of the event, from the timing of the program to the sequence of speeches and ceremonial rituals, has been designed to maximise impact and visibility. The RSS’s ability to orchestrate such events effectively underscores its organisational capacity and its continued significance in shaping political and social narratives in India. As the event unfolds, observers will be closely monitoring not only the content of speeches but also the broader symbolism conveyed through rituals, participation, and ceremonial arrangements.
Over the years, Vijayadashami has served as a moment to reflect on the Sangh’s ideological evolution, its contributions to social development, and its strategies for engaging with political leadership. The centenary celebration is particularly significant as it allows the organisation to showcase a century of achievements while reaffirming its vision for the future. Key messages are expected to focus on nation-building, cultural identity, social cohesion, and governance priorities, while also highlighting the RSS’s role in guiding political discourse and public policy. Ram Nath Kovind’s presence as chief guest further amplifies these messages, signalling the ongoing connection between the Sangh’s ideological initiatives and contemporary political processes.
The RSS centenary Vijayadashami also provides insight into the organisation’s broader strategic priorities. Analysts note that the event is a platform for articulating policy preferences, ideological emphasis, and social engagement strategies. The speeches and ceremonial activities allow the Sangh to communicate its expectations to political allies, cadre, and the public at large. The interplay between historical commemoration, ideological emphasis, and political symbolism ensures that the Vijayadashami event is not merely ceremonial but a significant socio-political occasion that resonates across multiple spheres of influence in India.
The centenary celebrations are anticipated to be a watershed moment for the RSS, combining historical reflection with forward-looking statements about its ongoing role in nation-building and socio-political engagement. As the former President Ram Nath Kovind attends as chief guest and Dr. Mohan Bhagwat delivers the keynote address, the event is expected to be widely covered and analyzed for its ideological, ceremonial, and political significance. The Vijayadashami centenary represents a convergence of tradition, ideology, and political symbolism, providing a rare glimpse into how the RSS positions itself in India’s contemporary socio-political landscape and the strategic ways in which it engages with political leadership and public discourse.
