In his Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi placed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) squarely in the national spotlight, hailing the organisation on the occasion of its centenary and calling it the “world’s largest NGO.” This remark, coming in an over 100-minute speech, carried significant political weight. The RSS, which will complete a hundred years this October on Vijaya Dashami, is the BJP’s ideological fountainhead and has been closely linked to Modi’s own political journey. His decision to laud the organisation in such a prominent setting appeared to signal that whatever murmurs of tension had emerged in recent years between the BJP leadership and the RSS hierarchy may now have subsided, reaffirming the group’s enduring influence over the ruling party’s ideological course.
By invoking the RSS so explicitly, Modi appeared to offer both reconciliation and reassurance. He lauded the organisation’s volunteers, or swayamsevaks, for their role in “nation-building” and described the group’s hundred years of service as a “proud, golden chapter” in India’s history. He praised their commitment to the philosophy of “vyakti nirman se rashtra nirman” — the belief that building strong individuals leads to a stronger nation — and credited the RSS with working tirelessly for the welfare of “Maa Bharati,” the motherland. This acknowledgement, delivered from the nation’s most symbolic stage, seemed intended not only to recognise the RSS’s social contributions but also to highlight its discipline, dedication, and organisational strength.
Modi’s words also underscored his personal connection to the Sangh. His own political career began as an RSS pracharak, and he has often credited the organisation with shaping his worldview. In his speech, he highlighted the RSS’s role in aiding communities during crises, citing its work in disaster relief during the Kerala and Assam floods, Cyclone Fani in Odisha, and the nationwide Covid-19 pandemic through its service arm, Seva Bharati. By referring to these efforts, Modi sought to present the RSS as more than a political force — framing it as a grassroots network dedicated to public welfare.
However, the Prime Minister’s praise did not go unchallenged. The Congress party accused him of using the occasion to curry favour with the RSS, framing the gesture as political appeasement rather than a neutral tribute. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh called it “the most troubling element” of Modi’s speech, describing it as a “blatant breach of the spirit” of a secular, constitutional republic. According to the Opposition, the gesture reflected desperation rather than statesmanship, especially in light of Modi’s upcoming 75th birthday.
Tensions — or at least the perception of them — between Modi and the RSS leadership have periodically made headlines in recent years. Last month, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statement that leaders should step aside at the age of 75 was interpreted by many as a veiled reference to the Prime Minister. While both sides have publicly demonstrated solidarity, such as Modi’s visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur in March and his private meeting with Bhagwat at the Hedgewar Smruti Mandir, the political opposition has continued to highlight occasional remarks from the RSS as evidence of a rift.
Earlier this year, during the Lok Sabha election campaign, BJP president JP Nadda said the party had grown “saksham” — capable enough to operate independently of the RSS — a comment that was widely viewed as an attempt to distance the BJP from the organisation amid electoral uncertainties. The RSS, meanwhile, made statements urging humility and caution in leadership, with Bhagwat drawing attention to unrest in places like Manipur and cautioning leaders against projecting themselves as divine figures.
The Congress has repeatedly cited such moments as proof of strained ties, especially after the BJP-led NDA won 240 seats in the 2024 elections, falling short of a majority and depending on allies. Yet Modi’s Independence Day praise for the RSS, coupled with his consistent framing of himself as a lifelong swayamsevak, now suggests that the relationship between the BJP and its ideological mentor remains firmly intact. By publicly congratulating the RSS on its hundred years and lauding its service, Modi has signalled that the ideological link between Nagpur, where the RSS is headquartered, and New Delhi remains as strong as ever.
Ultimately, the Prime Minister’s gesture can be seen as both a personal reaffirmation of loyalty and a political consolidation of support within the Sangh Parivar. While the Congress may continue to question the appropriateness of highlighting the RSS in a national address, the speech itself leaves little doubt that Modi considers the organisation central to India’s “nation-building” story — and to the BJP’s ongoing political project.
