Narendra Modi visits RSS headquarters, strengthening ties amid political shifts
There were many firsts in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nagpur, the headquarters of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) known for its cultural voluntarism. It was a first by any Indian Prime Minister and also first visit of Narendra Modi as prime minister. The visit underscores the enduring significance of voluntary action in India’s socio-political life. During his visit, Prime Minister Modi paid homage to Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the founder of the RSS. This act signifies a recognition of Hedgewar’s dedication to national service and the role of voluntary organisations in shaping India’s societal fabric.
Modi visited Deekshabhoomi to honour Dr BR Ambedkar, acknowledging his monumental contributions to social reform and justice. Prime Minister’s meeting with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat was also loaded with symbolism and signalled realigning of the BJP and RSS after a lean patch in the relations.
Such interactions are also pivotal in aligning national policies with grassroots movements, ensuring that developmental initiatives resonate with the voluntary organisations.
Beyond ceremonial engagements, Modi’s visit encompassed the inauguration of significant projects aimed at bolstering infrastructure and healthcare. He laid the foundation stone for the expansion of the Madhav Netralaya Premium Center, a super-specialty eye care facility established in 2014 in memory of Dr Golwalkar. This initiative underscores the government’s focus on enhancing healthcare accessibility through collaborative efforts. Furthermore, Modi inaugurated a 1,250-meter-long airstrip at Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, facilitating the testing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and advancing India’s defence capabilities. The Prime Minister’s engagements in Nagpur reflect the ethos of transformative leadership exemplified by figures like Mahatma Gandhi during India’s freedom struggle. Gandhi’s emphasis on voluntary action as a catalyst for societal change finds resonance in contemporary initiatives that seek to address social and environmental challenges.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur is historically significant as he becomes the first Indian Prime Minister to do so. The visit, coinciding with RSS’s 100th anniversary, is seen as a strategic move to reaffirm ties between the BJP and its ideological parent after reports of friction last year. Modi paid homage to RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and engaged in a conversation with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat reaffirming that the BJP and the Government were aligned with the ideals of RSS. While, BJP insist the visit is routine, it is politically significant. The BJP is in the process of selecting a new national president, a decision historically influenced by the RSS. Modi himself has deep roots in the organisation, having been an RSS pracharak since 1972.
Tensions between the BJP and RSS had surfaced before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, particularly after BJP Chief JP Nadda suggested that the party could function independently of RSS. However, following the BJP’s reduced majority in the elections, the RSS played a crucial role in its subsequent assembly election victories in Haryana and Maharashtra.
This visit, therefore, signals a renewed alignment between the two. Indeed, apart from the political messaging and reaffirming the bond, Modi’s visit serves as a reminder that the spirit of volunteerism remains integral to India’s developmental journey.
