New York, Aug 30 — Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat has said the organisation serves people without religious discrimination, citing its response to an air disaster involving two planes from Arab countries whose passengers were predominantly Muslim.
Addressing the "One World, One Humanity" gathering of religious leaders in New York, Bhagwat noted that dialogue between communities must be accompanied by service.
"Dialogue is the first step. Service is another. Not one step after that. It had to start simultaneously," he said.
Bhagwat said service had been central to the RSS since its inception.
Volunteers did not ask about the religion or identity of people who needed assistance, he added.
"Right from our conception. We are serving. And while serving, we don't say, we don't see this discrimination," Bhagwat said.
"Whoever is needing, we are serving."
He said RSS volunteers, supported by society, were operating 130,000 service initiatives of different sizes.
Bhagwat cited the collision of two planes over Haryana to underline his assertion.
He said RSS volunteers reached the site and helped the victims without considering the religion of those on board.
"Both were from Arab countries. Most of the passengers were Muslims," he added.
Bhagwat said the volunteers treated the few survivors, recovered bodies, helped arrange funeral rites and later assisted relatives in identifying the victims.
"We never thought at that time that these are Muslims," he added.
The RSS Chief said the organisation could work in this manner because it was not motivated by politics or the prospect of receiving something in return.
"We could do this because we are not in politics," he said.
"We do it. We only give. We don't want anything."
Bhagwat acknowledged that perceptions had developed about the RSS because it had not publicised much of its work.
He invited people to observe the organisation from within before forming conclusions.
"That is why in publicity matters we are much behind," he said.
"There are many perceptions created by wrong narratives."
"But when you come and see us from inside, all those will be displayed within a day," he added.
Bhagwat said service could also change those receiving assistance.
"People who recovered from hardship through such projects often returned later to help others, without being asked to do so."
"This project has given me so much. I have to give back," Bhagwat said, describing the response of some beneficiaries.
"We don't preach them to do this. But that urge develops."
He urged religious leaders to establish similar examples of selfless service in their countries and connect them through continuing dialogue.
The 1996 Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision over Haryana involved a Saudi Arabian Airlines aircraft and a Kazakhstan Airlines plane. All 349 people aboard the two aircraft were killed in one of the deadliest mid-air collisions in aviation history.
The RSS was founded in Nagpur in 1925 by K.B. Hedgewar and marked its centenary in 2025. The organisation has a nationwide volunteer network, while its affiliated bodies work in areas including education, social service, labour and tribal welfare.