Is the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) an upholder of traditional Indian values, or is it a threat to the democratic, pluralist and secular idea of India? A large body of scholarship on the Sangh, its leaders and its activities has emerged in recent decades. However, an overwhelming share of that scholarship reflects a deep ideological division, either being in favour or against the Sangh. The consequence of this feature of the existing scholarship is twofold. Firstly, most of the literature focuses on specific aspects or periods of the Sangh’s activities, often narrowing down to acts of key leaders interpreted either as heroic or as condemnable.