Amid the ongoing speculation of a rift between the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following the BJP's performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stated that while there may be "struggle", there is "no quarrel" with the BJP.
Rumours of a growing divide between the two organisations began circulating after the Lok Sabha elections. These were fuelled by a statement from RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who emphasised the need for leaders to move beyond "election rhetoric" and prioritise resolving issues like the Manipur conflict.
His remarks were widely interpreted as a veiled critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a signal that the RSS felt the BJP was becoming complacent and overly reliant on its past achievements.
The comments also sparked a debate on whether the RSS had actively supported the BJP's campaign. The murmurs intensified because Bhagwat's statements came at a time when there was widespread discussion about the RSS's role, and whether it had adopted a more hands-off approach during the election.
During a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday, Mohan Bhagwat sought to dismiss the rumours of a tiff. He stated, "We have good coordination with every government, be it state governments or the central government. But there are systems which have some internal contradictions."
Bhagwat explained that even if a person in a position of power is fully aligned with the RSS, they face systemic hurdles. He said, "Even if the man in the chair is 100 pc for us, he has to do it, and knows what the hurdles are. He may or may not be able to do it. We have to give him that independence. There is no quarrel anywhere."
Bhagwat's clarification follows a series of public gestures from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that appeared to be aimed at showcasing the strong relationship between the BJP and the RSS.
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Independence Day Speech: In his Independence Day speech on August 15, Prime Minister Modi praised the RSS from the Red Fort, calling it the "world's largest NGO". He highlighted its upcoming 100th anniversary in October on Vijaya Dashami, describing its century of service as a "proud, golden chapter". This public acknowledgement was seen as an effort to quell the rumours of a strain in the relationship.
March Visit to Nagpur: Earlier this year, in March, PM Modi visited the RSS headquarters in Nagpur. During his visit, he paid floral tributes to the organisation's founder, Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, and its second chief, M.S. Golwalkar. The visit coincided with the Sangh's Pratipada programme, which marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. This move was interpreted by critics as an attempt by the Prime Minister to send a clear message to rivals that the BJP and RSS were still in full harmony.
Modi's journey from an RSS pracharak (full-time worker) to a three-term Prime Minister mirrors the growth and influence of the organisation itself. His recent actions and Bhagwat's statements both underscore the complex yet fundamentally aligned relationship between the two entities.
For now, the public narrative being projected is one of a shared purpose and strong coordination, despite any perceived internal struggles.
Also Read: No one group won India’s freedom, says RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat
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