RSS and Narendra Modi deliver annual Dasara addresses

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered their annual Vijaya Dashami addresses on October 20, 2026, marking a significant moment as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) concludes its centenary year.

Bhagwat delivered his address in the morning following ritualistic offerings, while Modi spoke in East Delhi after a symbolic ritual. The timing of the speeches suggested a tactical coordination between the ideological headquarters in Nagpur and the political center in New Delhi.

The RSS's centenary year included extensive national outreach and international visits by Bhagwat to the US, UK, and Canada. However, the organization also faced domestic challenges, including protests from youth and legal inquiries from the Karnataka government regarding its membership and funding. Additionally, political tensions remain, with opposition leaders criticizing the organization's constitutional standing.