The RSS, often perceived as on the verge of collapse, continually resurfaces with greater strength. This resilience is often attributed to its ability to learn from its opponents, embodying the ‘one step back, two steps forward’ strategy. Over a century, this approach has enabled the RSS to grow into a powerful and unparalleled organization in India, characterized by its structure, discipline, and consistency, even amidst opposition. This success is rooted in its members’ unwavering commitment to its core ideology. They may face temporary setbacks, but they always return with increased strength, earning the RSS the reputation of a phoenix rising from its own ashes.
The RSS has been banned three times in its history. The first ban came after the assassination of Gandhi. The second came during the Emergency of 1975, and the third, after the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992. Despite these bans, the government was unable to provide sufficient evidence linking the RSS to these events. Following each ban, the restrictions were eventually lifted. This historical record highlights the organization’s resilience. Further underscoring this, after India’s defeat to China in 1962, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru included an RSS contingent in the Republic Day parade in 1963. The RSS has consistently emphasized its cultural identity rather than presenting itself as a purely Hindu organization.