Describing Sanskrit as a vital link among the India’s diverse linguistic traditions and a gateway to the country’s civilisational heritage, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday (April 20, 2026) called for expanding the use of the ancient language across the country.
Mr. Bhagwat was speaking at the inauguration of the newly built central office of Sanskrit Bharati, an off-shoot of the RSS, in New Delhi, where he called upon the organisation to make ‘such great efforts’ to promote the language that every individual in India was able to converse in the same.
He argued that preserving and advancing the country’s linguistic traditions required a deeper understanding of India’s knowledge systems, for which Sanskrit remained central. “India is home to many languages, each of which is national in character. What connects them is Sanskrit,” he said.
Mr. Bhagwat also called for sustained efforts to popularise the language, saying that the language carried not only linguistic value but also cultural and philosophical depth, referring to it as the “life force” of the nation.
Highlighting the role of Sanskrit in shaping many other Indian languages, he said a significant proportion of vocabulary across linguistic traditions was derived from this language or influenced by it. He added that its growth would not displace but rather strengthen other languages.
