New Delhi: Referring to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as the ‘world’s biggest NGO,’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address lauded the Sangh for its role in nation-building. In what is being viewed as a major outreach, Modi speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort praised the RSS’s role in nation-building and commended swayamsevaks (volunteers) who he said have served the nation for a century.
“Today, I would like to proudly mention that 100 years ago, an organisation was born, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Hundred years of service to the nation is a proud, golden chapter. With the resolve of ‘vyakti nirman se rashtra nirman’, with the aim of welfare of Maa Bharati, swayamsevaks dedicated their lives to welfare of our motherland,” Modi said.
Adding, “Service, dedication, organization and discipline have been its identity … In a way, RSS is the biggest NGO of the world. It has a history of 100 years of dedication…”
The remarks come amid perceived strain in ties between BJP and its ideological parent that appears to have culminated in a stalemate over the appointment of the next BJP president. Just this week, RSS sarsanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat said quality healthcare and education were becoming unaffordable for the average Indian—a remark that runs counter to the Modi government’s claims of progress made in these critical sectors.
The reference to RSS in Modi’s speech also assumes significance as it comes against the backdrop of BJP’s efforts to mend ties with its ideological patron following an electoral setback in the Lok Sabha elections last year, which was largely attributed to RSS volunteers going ‘cold’ after a snub from BJP president J.P. Nadda. Nadda had in the run-up to the general election said BJP was “saksham” or competent now and could run its own affairs.
Since it fell short of a majority on its own in the Lok Sabha, BJP has been focusing on ensuring greater and better coordination with the Sangh. This was evident in Haryana and Maharashtra, where Assembly polls have been held since.
On Modi’s part, this was not the first time he attempted an outreach to RSS. In March, the Prime Minister visited the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, his first visit since 2017. At the time, he described the Sangh as the ‘banyan tree’ of Indian culture. He also visited the Dr Hedgewar Smruti Mandir and paid homage to the founding fathers of the Sangh.
Earlier that month, Modi during his appearance on the Lex Fridman Podcast credited RSS for shaping his life since childhood and highlighted social causes the Sangh has taken up over the years.
In April, RSS chief Bhagwat made a rare visit to the Prime Minister’s official residence in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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