Rajiv Tuli & Dr Prashant Barthwal
On June 9, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with the help of its allies, once again formed the government under Narendra Modi’s leadership. In its aftermath, there has been an attempt to manufacture a narrative about the “differences” between the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP.
The Sangh has never been active in politics but has always worked for the welfare of the people, without any attachment, hatred, or discord. Sarsanghchalak (the head of the RSS) Dr Mohan Bhagwat clearly stated in a recent speech in Nagpur that there is a need to improve India’s political culture and build a national consensus on the challenges faced by the government. In fact, he appreciated the work done by the Modi government in the last 10 years, while underlining the challenges that remain and the need for political parties to come together for the development of the country.
Since its inception, the Sangh has not been active at an organisational level to vote in favour or against any political party. The volunteers of the Sangh make people aware of the emerging challenges facing the country (i.e., Lokmat Parishkar) and motivate them to vote in the country’s interest. Undoubtedly, many Swayamsevaks, based on Sangh’s inspiration and values, have worked in the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in the past and currently in the BJP. Both the party and the country have benefited from their extraordinary and unrivalled contribution from time to time. The Sangh does not seek credit for this contribution at any level.
To fully comprehend the organic relationship between the BJP and the RSS, it is essential to understand the foundational principles of the Sangh. The RSS, founded in 1925, promotes Sanatan culture, national unity, and self-reliance. It works as a socio-cultural organisation — and the BJP, its ideological mentee, as a political entity. This separation is rooted in the RSS’s belief that it should remain above the fray of partisan politics and serve as a guiding force for the nation’s cultural and social renaissance.
The RSS has historically played a crucial role in steering the ideological moorings of like-minded entities. It aims to keep these organisations aligned with the wider goals of social upliftment. Its consistent stand is to emphasise social harmony and national unity and promote “Bharatiya” cultural values compatible with democracy, pluralism, and the well-being of all citizens.
The Sangh’s role can be better understood as that of a moral and ideological compass. Like three dozen other RSS-inspired organisations, it provides guidance to the BJP whenever it is sought. This approach is consistent with the RSS’ position as a socio-cultural organisation dedicated to promoting the values of Hindu culture, national unity, and self-reliance. The Sangh’s stand, therefore, should not be viewed as an attempt to undermine or control the BJP’s policies or decision-making processes. Instead, both organisations’ shared ideological roots ensure they achieve the same goal within their spheres: inclusive development.
There have been unnecessary and mischievous attempts to create a rift between the RSS and the BJP. One must understand that the organic relationship between the two has evolved since the Bharatiya Jana Sangh’s formation in 1951. It is a mature relationship and continues to grow. Unlike in the past, when the BJS and the BJP primarily occupied the Opposition space, the latter has now become the central point of reference in Indian politics.
The BJP-led NDA has come to power for the third consecutive term at the Centre. The pre-poll alliance secured a comfortable majority, and it is no small feat in Indian politics that the BJP got as many as 240 seats even after two terms. Its vote share is intact. It has made spectacular gains in Odisha and southern parts of the country. The BJP ran a high-pitched campaign under the dynamic leadership of Narendra Modi. In the relative sense, as compared to the benchmark, the party may have performed less than expected, but in the absolute sense, the BJP has come out with a historical performance, something no party is likely to repeat over the next few decades. Common sense then dictates that there is no reason for any rumblings between the RSS and BJP.
The Sarsanghchalak rightly pointed out in his recent Nagpur speech that attempts have been made to drag the RSS name into electoral politics. Those opposed to the RSS and the BJP were behind this conspiracy. Now, the narrative being shared is that of the RSS and the BJP being pitted against each other. This conspiracy must be unravelled, and it is important not to get swayed by those trying to undermine the gigantic nationalist effort to rebuild India led by the RSS-BJP.
(Rajiv Tuli is an independent author and commentator. Dr Prashant Barthwal is an assistant professor at Delhi University)
(Views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author)
First Published as India Today Opinion Story
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