New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a New 100 Rs Coin on October 1 to commemorate the centenary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This coin marks the first-ever depiction of Bharat Mata on Indian currency, a move described by the Prime Minister as “a moment of great pride and historical significance.”
The design shows RSS swayamsevaks bowing before Bharat Mata, dressed in the traditional Sangh uniform. Alongside the coin, a commemorative postal stamp was also released, featuring RSS volunteers’ participation in the 1963 Republic Day Parade. The New 100 Rs Coin carries the motto of the RSS— Rashtray Swaha, Idam Rashtraya, Idam Na Mama—translating to “everything is dedicated to the nation, everything is the nation’s, nothing is mine.”
The Opposition’s Sharp Reaction
While the Prime Minister highlighted the New 100 Rs Coin as a matter of cultural and national pride, Opposition parties strongly criticized the move. The Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) argued that the event was more about glorifying the RSS than commemorating India’s collective heritage.
The CPI(M) described the depiction of Bharat Mata as a Hindu goddess as a “sectarian concept of a Hindutva Rashtra,” calling it a violation of constitutional values. The party further alleged that the stamp showing RSS volunteers at the 1963 Republic Day parade “falsifies history,” as their participation was never officially recorded.
Congress leaders echoed similar sentiments, accusing the Prime Minister of misusing his office to legitimize the RSS. Party leaders cited letters and speeches by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel from 1948, which linked the RSS’s activities to the atmosphere that led to Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination.
Modi’s Defence of the RSS
Addressing the gathering, Modi praised the RSS and its century-long journey. He said the organisation had faced attacks but never responded with bitterness, continuing instead to work on the principle of “nation first.” He defended the launch of the New 100 Rs Coin as recognition of the Sangh’s contributions to the nation.
“The Sangh has fought against the atrocities of the British. Its only interest has always been love towards the nation,” the Prime Minister said. He emphasized that RSS volunteers gave shelter to freedom fighters and that several of its leaders were jailed during the independence struggle.
Historical Roots of the RSS
The release of the New 100 Rs Coin coincides with the 100th anniversary of the RSS. Founded in 1925 in Nagpur by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the organisation began as a volunteer-based group with the goal of fostering cultural awareness, discipline, service, and social responsibility.
Over the decades, it has grown into one of India’s largest socio-cultural organisations, often seen as the ideological parent body of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Modi himself served as an RSS pracharak before his transition into active politics with the BJP.
Opposition Questions Historical Claims
The unveiling of the New 100 Rs Coin also revived debates about the RSS’s role in India’s freedom struggle. The CPI(M) argued that portraying the Sangh as a key participant in the independence movement is historically misleading. They claimed that the postal stamp showing swayamsevaks at the 1963 parade exaggerates their role in national events.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh shared historical documents, including a 1948 letter from Sardar Patel, where Patel cautioned against the divisive impact of the RSS and Hindu Mahasabha. In another post, Ramesh cited Patel’s speech in Jaipur in December 1948, where he criticized the RSS in the aftermath of Gandhi’s assassination.
Symbolism of the Coin and Stamp
For supporters, the New 100 Rs Coin is a symbol of pride, linking cultural identity with national unity. The motto inscribed on the coin reflects selfless dedication to the nation, a principle central to the RSS’s philosophy.
However, critics view the coin and stamp as tools to further the government’s ideological alignment with the Sangh. The fact that the Ministry of Culture organized the centenary celebrations, attended by senior RSS leaders, added to the controversy.
A Continuing Debate
The launch of the New 100 Rs Coin has ignited a broader debate about history, symbolism, and political narratives. While the government presents it as a mark of respect for an organisation that has shaped cultural and social life in India for a century, opponents argue it distorts history and undermines constitutional values.
As India moves forward, the coin and stamp may remain enduring symbols—not only of the RSS centenary but also of the sharp ideological divides that continue to shape the nation’s politics.
