RSS Vijayadashami event in Nagpur today, Bhagwat to speak; Vande Mataram, Asmi carbine on stage

Preparations are complete for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Vijayadashami event in Nagpur. Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat will address the programme at Reshimbagh ground today, Tuesday, October 20. The country is watching the event both as the conclusion of the Sangh's centenary year and for what lies ahead.

The programme began with flag hoisting and Shastra Pujan (worship of arms). This time, along with traditional weapons, the state-of-the-art Asmi carbine, of entirely Indian make, has also been placed at the Shastra Pujan site. All eyes are now on what the Sarsanghchalak says in his address and which issues he touches on.

The message written on the backdrop of the main stage is drawing attention. It reads "Jai jai goonje Bharat maa ki, usi ke hit mein hum jiye marein", meaning the nation's interest is paramount. Three things stand out on the backdrop. The first is this line. The second, on the right, is a reference to the national song Vande Mataram. This year Parliament passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026, making the singing of Vande Mataram mandatory at government events, which gave the national song legal protection.

The third is on the left of the backdrop, where a picture of the Goddess is accompanied by the poetic lines "Tvam hi Durga dashaprahaaranadhaarini. Kamala kamaladalavihaarini. Vani vidyadayini". The Congress and some organisations had earlier objected to this stanza of Vande Mataram, which venerates the Goddess.

On stage, Dr Mohan Bhagwat will be present for the Sangh. Sanjay Gupta, editor-in-chief of Dainik Jagran, has been invited as chief guest. Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Yaniv Revach, Consul General of Israel in Mumbai, have also been invited. Dhankhar has already reached the venue.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is present at the event in the full uniform of a swayamsevak. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has also arrived in full uniform. State Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has also come in full uniform. Pyare Khan, chairman of the State Minorities Commission, is also present and, according to information, has come at the Sangh's invitation.

The event is taking place at an important juncture in the Sangh's history, and Bhagwat's speech, in which he will set out his views on the way forward, is now awaited.