Hubli, Karnataka, October 5, 2025 – In a resounding display of discipline, patriotism, and organizational fervor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) marked its 100th anniversary with a grand Path Sanchalan (route march) through the bustling streets of Hubli on Vijayadashami. The event, which drew an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 swayamsevaks (volunteers), was graced by high-profile attendees including Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Dharwad MP Prahlad Joshi, and Hubli-Dharwad Central MLA Mahesh Tenginkai. The procession, a hallmark of RSS's annual Vijayadashami observances, underscored the organization's deep roots in North Karnataka while amplifying its nationwide centenary theme of "Rashtra Devo Bhava" (Nation is our God).
The march kicked off at around 4:30 PM from the RSS Hubli Mahanagar Shakha grounds near Ambedkar Circle, weaving through iconic locales such as Koppikar Road, Deshpande Nagar, and Old Hubli's commercial hub before converging at the expansive Shukrawarpetta ground for concluding ceremonies. Volunteers, uniformly attired in crisp white shirts, khaki full-pants, and black caps, marched in precise formations—rows of 10 to 15 abreast—twirling bamboo lathis in synchronized drills that evoked military precision. Accompanied by the rhythmic beats of traditional brass bands and dhol drums, the procession featured vibrant saffron banners emblazoned with RSS insignia and slogans like "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram." Onlookers lined the sidewalks, many showering the marchers with marigold garlands and rose petals, transforming the urban thoroughfares into a sea of orange and yellow.
Eyewitness accounts described the atmosphere as electric, with local shopkeepers pausing business to join in chants and children waving tiny tricolors from balconies. "It's not just a march; it's a living testament to the Sangh's century-long journey of nation-building," said a veteran swayamsevak from Hubli's Gandhinagar Shakha, who has participated in over 30 such events. The route, spanning approximately 3 kilometers, was secured by local police and volunteer marshals, ensuring a seamless flow despite the massive turnout. At the finale, swayamsevaks formed intricate human formations— including the RSS emblem and a map of India—while RSS pracharak (full-time worker) delivered a short address on the five "Pancha Parivartan" (five transformations) central to the centenary vision: self-awareness, family values, social harmony, eco-friendly living, and civic duties.
Central to the proceedings was Union Minister Prahlad Joshi, a lifelong RSS swayamsevak whose political ascent is inextricably linked to the organization's ideology. Donning the traditional uniform, Joshi, 63, marched at the forefront, his 48th such participation a personal milestone he later highlighted as "a profound honor that reaffirms my roots." Flanked by fellow BJP leaders, including former MLAs and district office-bearers, Joshi's presence symbolized the symbiotic bond between the RSS and its ideological progeny, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Sources close to the event noted that Joshi briefly addressed the gathering post-march, urging volunteers to channel the centenary spirit into grassroots service, particularly in education and rural development—key priorities for Dharwad district.
MLA Mahesh Tenginkai, 45, a rising BJP stalwart and youth wing veteran, joined the ranks midway, embodying the generational continuity of RSS ethos in local politics. Tenginkai, who represents Hubli's diverse urban electorate, emphasized the event's role in fostering communal unity amid Karnataka's polarized political landscape. "This Path Sanchalan isn't merely ceremonial; it's a call to action for every citizen to contribute to a stronger, self-reliant India," he stated to reporters on the sidelines, crediting the RSS for instilling values that guided his legislative work on urban infrastructure and youth empowerment.
The event's scale and symbolism were amplified by its timing with Vijayadashami, the Hindu festival commemorating Lord Rama's victory over Ravana, which RSS interprets as a metaphor for triumph over adharma (unrighteousness). In Hubli—a historic RSS stronghold since the 1940s, when Dr. K.B. Hedgewar's vision first took root here—the march served as a microcosm of the organization's nationwide programs. Over 2,000 such events unfolded across India today, from Nagpur's headquarters to coastal Kerala, collectively involving millions and reinforcing RSS's claim as the world's largest voluntary non-governmental organization.
Local media coverage, including a live segment by TV9 Kannada, captured the procession's vibrancy, showing disciplined ranks marching past colonial-era landmarks and modern malls alike. The channel's footage highlighted BJP leaders' enthusiastic involvement, with chyrons in Kannada reading "RSS Path Sanchalan: Central Minister Prahlad Joshi and Several BJP Leaders Participate," underscoring the political undertones without overshadowing the apolitical ethos RSS maintains.
This year's observance holds extra resonance amid the RSS's "Shatabdi Varsh" (Centenary Year), launched in Vijayadashami 2024 and culminating in 2025. Founded on September 27, 1925, by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur, the RSS has grown from a handful of volunteers to a network of over 50,000 shakhas (branches) worldwide, emphasizing character-building through daily physical and ideological training. In Karnataka alone, the state unit boasts thousands of active members, with Hubli-Dharwad emerging as a nerve center due to its strategic location and demographic mix of Kannada, Marathi, and Urdu speakers.
Critics, including opposition voices from the Congress and Left parties, have occasionally viewed such events through a partisan lens, alleging they blur lines between cultural festivals and political mobilization. However, organizers dismissed such notions, pointing to the march's focus on non-political themes like environmental stewardship and family bonding. No incidents marred the day, and post-event, volunteers dispersed to community service initiatives, including blood donation camps and tree-planting drives.
As dusk fell over Hubli's skyline, the echoes of the march lingered—a reminder of an organization that, at 100, shows no signs of slowing. For residents like 72-year-old retired teacher Lakshmi Devi, who watched from her veranda, it was a poignant blend of tradition and aspiration. "We've seen generations march for this cause. May it inspire the young to build the India our founders dreamed of," she reflected.
The RSS Hubli Mahanagar unit hailed the event as a resounding success, with turnout surpassing last year's by 20%. As the centenary year progresses, similar marches and seminars are slated across Dharwad, promising sustained momentum for the Sangh Parivar's outreach in India's heartland.
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