Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur on Sunday, marking an important moment in the relationship between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological parent. The visit coincided with the birth anniversary of RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and the festival of Gudi Padwa, which marks the Maharashtrian New Year. Modi was accompanied by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat during his visit to the memorial of Hedgewar.
The visit comes at a time when the BJP leadership has been signaling efforts to maintain and strengthen its relationship with the RSS after reports of friction last year. Political analysts see Modi’s visit as a reaffirmation of the strong ties between the two organizations, especially in light of recent political developments.
After his visit to the RSS headquarters, the prime minister paid homage at Deekshabhoomi, a significant site where Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and his followers embraced Buddhism. This marks Modi’s second visit to Deekshabhoomi, his first being in 2017. Later in the day, he is set to inaugurate an RSS-aided eye hospital, Madhav Netralaya.
Strengthening Political Coordination
The visit assumes political significance given the historical connection between Modi and the RSS. He joined the organization as a pracharak in Ahmedabad in 1972, which played a crucial role in shaping his political career. Over the years, Modi has frequently acknowledged the RSS’s contributions to nation-building and governance.
According to BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari, the visit was not out of the ordinary, as BJP leaders regularly engage with RSS functionaries. However, given recent reports of differences between the BJP and RSS, this meeting is viewed as an effort to reaffirm mutual cooperation.
Last year, tensions between the two organizations reportedly arose after BJP national president J.P. Nadda suggested that the party had become self-sufficient and no longer needed RSS’s support. This statement was perceived as a distancing strategy, particularly during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Although the BJP emerged as the single-largest party, its seat count dropped significantly from 303 in 2019 to 240 in 2024. Following this, the RSS played an active role in BJP’s preparation for assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra, where the party secured significant victories.
An RSS functionary from Nagpur, speaking on the condition of anonymity, emphasized that the visit reaffirmed the strong bond between the BJP and RSS. He also highlighted that Modi’s visit, coinciding with RSS’s centennial year, would help further spread the organization’s ideology.
Political Implications
Political commentator Hemant Desai observed that the RSS has historically disapproved of personality-driven politics, a trend that has been evident in Modi’s leadership. He noted that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had previously expressed concerns about the excessive focus on individual leadership within the BJP. However, in the aftermath of the Lok Sabha elections, efforts to foster closer coordination between the two entities have become evident.
Desai also pointed out that Modi’s visit to the RSS headquarters sends a broader message about the alignment between Hindutva and nationalism in the BJP’s ideology. It also comes shortly after communal tensions in Nagpur, which saw protests by the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal over the presence of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad. While Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed reports of religious desecration as rumors, the visit by the prime minister is seen as an attempt to reinforce his government’s commitment to Hindutva politics.
Looking Ahead
Modi’s engagement with the RSS has been increasingly visible in recent months. In February, during the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in Delhi, he praised the RSS’s role in nation-building. More recently, in an interview on the Lex Fridman Podcast, he credited the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, the Ramakrishna Mission, and the RSS for shaping his service-driven philosophy. As the BJP prepares for crucial political decisions, including the selection of a new national president, the RSS’s influence remains pivotal. Modi’s visit to the Nagpur headquarters signals continued collaboration and mutual dependence between the two organizations as they navigate future electoral and governance challenges.
