Datanomics: RSS marks 100 years with 83,000 shakhas, 4 million members

Founded in 1925, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh marks its centenary with over 83,000 shakhas and four million members nationwide

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) marks its centenary Wednesday. Though the RSS was founded on September 27, 1925 by K B Hedgewar, it celebrates its Sthapna Diwas (foundation day) on the Vijayadashami day. The organisation has now 83,129 shakhas and an estimated four million members. These shakhas are spread across different states of India and are divided into 46 prants (provinces). Uttar Pradesh with 8,000 shakhas tops the chart, followed by Kerala with 5,142, and Maharashtra at 4,000. Of the six sarsanghchalaks (supreme leaders) the RSS has had, four hailed from Maharashtra. The current chief, Mohan Bhagwat, has been at