Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti, Ganga Mahasabha and Akhada Parishad to frame Hindu Code of Conduct.

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Hindu Code of Conduct to be announced at Sanskriti Sansad 2026 in Varanasi.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | New Delhi | Oct 23, 2026: Sanskriti Sansad 2026 will be held from November 3 to 5 at the Rudraksh Convention Centre in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Organising committee chairman Sunil Deodhar has announced that the event will feature the unveiling of a proposed Hindu Code of Conduct, discussions on preserving India’s cultural heritage, and efforts to repatriate historical manuscripts held abroad. The event’s programme and preparations were outlined at a press conference in New Delhi addressed by Swami Jitendranand Saraswati, general secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti and Ganga Mahasabha, and Sunil Deodhar, chairman of the Sanskriti Sansad organising committee and former national secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The event carries religious significance because of its proposed initiative to formulate a Hindu Code of Conduct. This development also comes amid ongoing debates over the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) approach to Hindu identity and religious unity. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has frequently advocated the idea of a shared ancestral identity, often referred to as the “same DNA” theory, and has argued that Hindus should not exclude Muslims from the broader national community. However, some religious leaders and critics question the extent to which a socio-political organisation should influence religious matters or prescribe norms for Hindus, arguing that such questions fall primarily within the domain of Hindu Dharma Gurus and traditional religious institutions.

The debate also brings into focus RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s views on Hindu identity and Hindu-Muslim relations. In a speech at Madison Square Garden in New York, Bhagwat reportedly stated, “If Hindus think Muslims have no place, they cease to be Hindu.” Critics of his position may regard this formulation as an attempt to define Hindu identity and its relationship with other communities from a socio-political perspective. The question of who has the authority to interpret Hindu Dharma, establish religious norms and articulate the principles governing Hindu society remains a subject of debate among traditional religious authorities and contemporary Hindu organisations.

Key Highlights

• Sanskriti Sansad 2026: The three-day event will take place in Varanasi from November 3 to 5.
• Proposed Hindu Code of Conduct: Organisers plan to formally announce the proposed code during the gathering.
• Participation of saints and youth: Organisers expect representatives of 127 sects, 13 Akhadas and 18 Khalsas, along with more than 3,000 saints and over 7,000 young people.
• Manuscript repatriation: Discussions will focus on preserving India’s knowledge traditions and seeking the return of historical manuscripts held overseas.

According to Swami Jitendranand Saraswati, the gathering is expected to bring together representatives of 127 sects, 13 Akhadas and 18 Khalsas, including three prominent Akhadas from the Sikh community, as described by the organisers. More than 3,000 saints and over 7,000 youth representatives are also expected to participate. The organisers have identified the Shri Kashi Vidwat Parishad, which they say has a history spanning more than 450 years, as an important guiding institution for the participating religious organisations.

A key item on the agenda is the proposed formal announcement of a Hindu Code of Conduct intended to provide guidance on religious and social matters. The initiative is expected to generate discussion about the role of traditional religious authorities in defining Hindu religious practices and addressing contemporary social questions.

The proposal also raises broader questions about the relationship between Hindu religious institutions and socio-political organisations. While the RSS has promoted the idea of a shared civilisational identity among Indians, some religious leaders and critics have expressed reservations about the involvement of political or socio-political organisations in matters they consider to fall within the authority of established Hindu religious traditions. The proposed code could therefore become a significant subject of discussion among saints, scholars and representatives of different Hindu sects.

Another major focus of the event will be the preservation of Indian knowledge traditions and the identification of historical manuscripts and documents held abroad. Organisers have specifically raised the issue of recovering what they describe as original manuscripts of the Manusmriti, allegedly held by the Royal Society in London. They claim that the manuscripts were taken from India by the British in 1793. However, the provenance, historical circumstances and present location of the manuscripts require independent verification.

Deodhar also discussed the origins of Sanskriti Sansad, describing it as an initiative that emerged from a gathering of saints in 2014 and subsequently developed into a biennial event. He criticised remarks by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi concerning the RSS and Hindutva. He also made allegations about a recent incident in Tripura involving a tribal boy, linking it to a political conspiracy. These claims represent the speaker’s assertions and should not be treated as established facts without independent corroboration.

The press conference also featured criticism of disruptions during Hindu festivals. Speakers warned that continued incidents of this nature could prompt religious leaders to launch a nationwide movement. The gathering is expected to provide a platform for religious representatives to discuss concerns affecting Hindu communities, the observance of religious festivals and the preservation of cultural traditions.

With representatives from numerous sects, Akhadas and religious organisations expected to attend, Sanskriti Sansad 2026 aims to bring together spiritual leaders, cultural organisations, scholars and young representatives to deliberate on the future of India’s religious and civilisational heritage.

The proposed Hindu Code of Conduct and the campaign to recover historical manuscripts held abroad are among the principal agenda items. The significance of the gathering will ultimately depend on the resolutions adopted, the degree of consensus achieved among participating religious authorities, and the follow-up measures announced during the three-day event.

The proposed ‘Hindu Code of Conduct’ has already faced criticism on several fronts, particularly over concerns that this Dharmik exercise is being conducted without taking into account the advice of the revered Shankaracharyas of Puri, Sringeri, Dwarka and Badrikashram.
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