Yeh Muh Se Swadeshi Hai, Lekin Mann Se Videshi Hai: Akhilesh Yadav Slams RSS After PM Modis Praise

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Friday, saying, “Yeh muh se toh swadeshi hai, lekin mann se videshi hai.”

Akhilesh Yadav claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party had decided to follow a secular and socialist path at its first convention; however, he added that the path followed by the people of the Sangh Parivar is neither secular nor socialist.

“When the first convention of the Bharatiya Janata Party was held, they decided that he would follow a secular and socialist path. But the path of the people of the Sangh Parivar is not secular and socialist. Yeh muh se toh swadeshi hai lekin mann se videshi hai,” the SP chief told reporters. 

Akhilesh Yadav claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party had decided to follow a secular and socialist path at its first convention; however, he added that the path followed by the people of the Sangh Parivar is neither secular nor socialist.

Akhilesh Yadav’s remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech on Friday, praised the RSS for its 100-year journey and called it the biggest NGO in the world.

“Today, I would like to proudly mention that 100 years ago, an organisation was born – Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). 100 years of service to the nation is a proud, golden chapter. With the resolve of ‘vyakti nirman se rashtra nirman’, with the aim of welfare of Maa Bharati, swayamsevaks dedicated their lives to the welfare of our motherland. In a way, RSS is the biggest NGO of the world. It has a history of 100 years of dedication,” PM Modi said. 

#WATCH | Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav says, “He is the Prime Minister from the BJP. When the first convention of the Bharatiya Janata Party was held, they decided that he would follow a secular and socialist path. But the path of the people of the Sangh Parivar… https://t.co/XJiDdaJlzJ pic.twitter.com/zXJ84onpbE
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2025

AIMIM chief Owaisi Reacts

Sharing a similar sentiment, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for praising the RSS from the Red Fort during his Independence Day speech, stating that such glorification is an insult to the freedom struggle.

Owaisi claimed that the RSS and its ideological allies acted like British soldiers, never participated in the freedom struggle and had more hatred for Gandhi than the British.

“Glorifying the RSS in an Independence Day speech is an insult to the freedom struggle. The RSS and its ideological allies served as British foot soldiers. They never joined the fight for independence and hated Gandhi more than they ever opposed the British,” Owaisi said in a post on X. 

Glorifying the RSS in an Independence Day speech is an insult to the freedom struggle. The RSS and its ideological allies served as British foot soldiers. They never joined the fight for independence and hated Gandhi more than they ever opposed the British.

Happy…
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) August 15, 2025

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)

The RSS was banned in 1948 after Nathuram Godse, a former RSS member, assassinated Mahatma Gandhi. The ban was later lifted when RSS leader MS Golwalkar pledged loyalty to the Indian Constitution.

The RSS did not participate in the Indian independence movement, instead choosing to focus on social and cultural mobilisation among Hindus. RSS founder K.B. Hedgewar avoided direct confrontation with the British, and the organisation’s stance was seen as a collaboration.

 

While the RSS did not directly participate in the freedom struggle, some RSS members, like Lala Hansraj, provided shelter to freedom fighters during the Quit India Movement.

 

The RSS rapidly expanded in the 1940s, gaining respect for its volunteers’ participation in social and cultural activities. 

(With ANI Inputs)