By Anushka Vats,News18

Copyright news18

Chennai police on Wednesday detained many Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) workers after they held a morning shakha session inside a government school near Porur without prior permission.
According to the officials, the headmaster of the school filed an official complaint saying that the workers entered the premises without any permission.
This comes on the same day that RSS celebrated its 100th anniversary. Founded in 1925 by Dr. Keshavrao Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur, the organisation has grown into one of the largest volunteer movements in the world, with millions of members across India and abroad.
Earlier in the day, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed the Nagpur headquarters at Reshimbagh grounds on the Sangh’s 100th anniversary.
During the address, he also expressed concern over the growing turmoil in neighbouring countries, citing regime changes in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal due to public anger.
Bhagwat said, “In recent years, there has been considerable turmoil in our neighbouring countries. The regime change in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and, more recently, Nepal due to violent outbursts of public anger is a concern for us. The forces wanting to create such disturbances in Bharat are active inside as well as outside our country. The natural and immediate causes for discontent are the disconnect between the government and society and the lack of able and people-oriented administrators.
Bhagwat also highlighted the challenges posed by scientific progress, technological advancements, and global interconnectedness, which have created new problems for humanity. He stated that the pace of human adaptation to these changes is slow, resulting in issues such as environmental damage, weakening social and family bonds, and growing hostility.
Bhagwat spoke about the other side of rapid progress, saying that while science, technology, and global interconnectedness have brought benefits, they have also created fresh challenges for humanity. He noted that people are struggling to keep pace with these changes. According to him, this slow adaptation has led to serious problems such as damage to the environment, the weakening of social and family ties, and a rise in hostility among communities.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) celebrated Vijaya Dashami in Nagpur this year with special significance, as the occasion also marked the organisation’s 100th anniversary. The gathering began with members reciting the traditional Sangh Prarthana, followed by a programme attended by several dignitaries.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat was present along with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Former President Ram Nath Kovind graced the event as the chief guest. The centenary celebrations also drew participation from a number of Indian leaders and foreign guests, making it a moment of reflection as well as festivity for the organisation.

Tamil Nadu BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan condemned the move and said that the government led by MK Stalin has turned blind.

VIDEO | Chennai: Former Telangana Governor and BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan says, “This morning, RSS swayamsevaks were arrested while organising ‘shakha’, a practice they have been following for 100 years at the same place. They were arrested as if they were some… pic.twitter.com/52nepNAZeJ
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 2, 2025

“I strongly condemn Tamil Nadu Govt @CMOTamilnadu @mkstalin for arresting #RSS Swayamsevaks, who were conducting a peaceful Shakha in a ground today in Chennai where they have been conducting for many yrs in the past but today—particularly on Vijayadashami day which marks the 100th centenary year celebration of RSS—this arrest is highly condemnable & undemocratic,” wrote the BJP leader on X.
“In TN, @mkstalin govt turns blind eye to all day to day anti-social activities, deteriorating law and order situation, but national, traditional, spiritual, and patriotic cultural activities are curtailed. This clearly reveals the anti-national mindset of DMK @arivalayam. I appeal for the immediate release of all arrested RSS cadres today. I met them all in the place where they are detained under police custody after the arrest & conveyed my moral support to them & enquired the police officials why they are arrested? Our karyakartas are facing the situation with courage as usual That is the spirit of RSS,” added Soundararajan.