Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a strong warning at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) centenary celebrations in New Delhi, stating that India’s greatest threat today is not infiltration by external forces but demographic changes that could destabilize social equality and national unity. Stressing that “unity in diversity” has always been the soul of India, he said that internal divisions caused by caste, language, regionalism, and extremist thinking were weakening the very foundation of the nation.

“Social equality means establishing justice by giving priority to the deprived and promoting national unity. But today, crises are emerging that directly attack our unity, culture, and security,” Modi said. He pointed out that extremist thinking and disputes stoked by external and internal forces are eroding harmony, warning that demographic change now poses a greater long-term danger to India’s peace and security than infiltration itself.

Calling demographic imbalance a matter of internal security, the Prime Minister linked it to his recently launched Demographic Mission, which he announced from the Red Fort. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and confront these challenges with full dedication, adding that economic dependence on foreign countries and conspiracies to influence India’s social fabric are designed to undermine unity.

The event also saw the release of a commemorative Rs 100 coin and postage stamp celebrating the RSS’ contributions over the last 100 years. The coin features the National Emblem on one side and, for the first time in independent India, an image of Bharat Mata seated on a lion, with swayamsevaks bowing before her. The special stamp depicts RSS swayamsevaks participating in the 1963 Republic Day Parade. Modi said he was satisfied with the government’s swift action in addressing emerging challenges and praised the RSS for its role in strengthening India’s cultural and national identity.