PROMINENT AFFILIATES
There are about 35 RSS affiliates that promote its ideology and work in different sectors. Here is a list of most prominent ones
BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY
The Jan Sangh was set up in 1951. Just before the 1977 elections, it was merged with the Janata Party. RSS loyalists left the party on the issue of dual membership and the BJP came into existence in April 1980. It celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.
AKHIL BHARATIYA VIDYARTHI PARISHAD
The RSS students’ wing was set up on July 9, 1949. Almost all senior BJP and RSS stalwarts, including PM Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, have served in the ABVP in different capacities.
BHARATIYA MAZDOOR SANGH
The largest trade union organisation in the country strongly opposes Modi’s labour law reforms and pushing of economic reforms. RSS leader Dattopant Thengdi founded the BMS in 1955. It has over 94 lakh members.
VISHWA HINDU PARISHAD
It was founded in 1964. Its main objective is “to organise, consolidate the Hindu society and to serve and protect the Hindu dharma”. The VHP has been involved in the dispute over the Ram Janma-bhoomi issue for over 40 years. Bajrang Dal is its youth wing while the Durga Vahini is its women’s wing.
VANVASI KALYAN ASHRAM
It was founded in 1952 at Jashpur (Chhattisgarh) to counter Christian missionaries. It focuses on indigenous tribes in remote areas of the country. It has around 11,800 branches across India
BHARATIYA KISAN SANGH
The farmers’ organisation opposes the BJP-led government’s proposed land acquisition bill. It was set up in 1979 under the guidance of veteran trade union leader Dattopant Thengdi, who also founded the BMS.
RASHTRADHARMA PUBLICATION
Publishers of RSS mouthpiece Panchajanya (Hindi), Organiser (English) and others. The Hindi periodical Rashtradharma was started by the then senior RSS leader Deendayal Upadhyaya with the help of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1947.
SEVA BHARATI
Set up in 1980, Seva Bharati provides service to the underprivileged by providing healthcare, food, and education.
SWADESHI JAGARAN MANCH
It is an economics wing of RSS started in 1991. It is strongly against multi-nationals and advocates Swadeshi.
AROGYA BHARATI
This organisation was set up in Bhopal in 2004 to create awareness on healthcare, and the prevention of diseases using traditional medicines.
BHARATIYA ITIHAS SANKALAN YOJANA
Set up to re-write history by proving that aspects of Hindu mythology are factual. Established in 1973 at Nagpur.
ADHIWAKTA PARISHAD
An organisation of RSS loyalist lawyers that works among lawyers, jurists and law academicians. It was set up in 1992
VIDYA BHARATI
An educational wing of the RSS, it runs over 13,000 schools with 35 lakh students across the country. It started from Gorakhpur, UP with Shishu Mandir (nursery).