PM’s historic visit to Nagpur
Dipak Kurmi
(The writer can be reached at dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nagpur, the headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), holds profound historical and political significance. Marking his first visit as prime minister and the first ever by any Indian prime minister, this trip underscored the deep-rooted influence of voluntary organisations in India’s socio-political landscape. The visit was not just a ceremonial engagement but a strategic move to reaffirm ties between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological parent, the RSS, particularly after reported strains in their relationship. Furthermore, it highlighted the enduring relevance of cultural voluntarism in shaping national policies and governance.
Paying Homage to Icons of Indian History
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi paid homage to Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the founder of the RSS, recognising his unwavering dedication to national service. This act reinforced the government’s acknowledgement of voluntary organisations’ pivotal role in India’s socio-cultural evolution. Additionally, Modi’s visit to Deekshabhoomi to honour Dr B.R. Ambedkar reflected his commitment to social justice and reform, acknowledging Ambedkar’s monumental contributions to the upliftment of marginalised communities.
A crucial meeting with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat was another highlight of the visit. This interaction, symbolically significant, signalled a renewed alignment between the BJP and RSS, reinforcing their shared ideological commitments. Historically, the RSS has played a critical role in BJP’s electoral successes by mobilising grassroots support. The meeting sought to bridge the ideological and strategic gaps that had emerged in the wake of the BJP’s underwhelming performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Strategic Political Realignments
The BJP, which had grown increasingly confident in its ability to function independently, faced setbacks in the 2024 general elections, resulting in a reduced majority. Tensions between the BJP and RSS became evident when BJP President J.P. Nadda suggested that the party had matured enough to function without the RSS network. However, the subsequent assembly election victories in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi reaffirmed the indispensability of the RSS in BJP’s electoral strategies. Modi’s visit, therefore, served as a reconciliatory gesture, aimed at cementing the Sangh’s influence in shaping the BJP’s future course.
The timing of the visit was also politically strategic, as the BJP is in the process of selecting a new national president, a decision historically influenced by the RSS. Given Modi’s own deep roots in the organisation, having been an RSS pracharak since 1972, his reaffirmation of the RSS’s ideological influence was a calculated move. With crucial upcoming elections in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the BJP is keen on leveraging the RSS’s vast network to consolidate its electoral prospects.
Strengthening Infrastructure and Healthcare Initiatives
Beyond the political and ideological dimensions, Modi’s visit encompassed inaugurating key infrastructure and healthcare projects. He laid the foundation stone for the expansion of Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre, a super-speciality eye care facility established in 2014 in memory of Dr M.S. Golwalkar. This initiative underscores the government’s focus on enhancing healthcare accessibility, particularly in underserved regions. Modi lauded the institution’s service-orientated approach and expressed confidence that its expansion would illuminate thousands of lives, dispelling darkness through medical intervention.
In addition to healthcare, Modi inaugurated a 1,250-metre-long airstrip at Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited. This initiative is expected to facilitate the testing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), thereby bolstering India’s defence capabilities. The project aligns with the government’s broader vision of self-reliance in defence manufacturing and technological advancement.
Echoes of Transformative Leadership
Prime Minister Modi’s engagements in Nagpur reflect the ethos of transformative leadership, reminiscent of Mahatma Gandhi’s emphasis on voluntary action as a catalyst for societal change. The prime minister underscored that the spirit of service is integral to India’s developmental journey. He invoked the contributions of luminaries like Swami Vivekananda, Guru Nanak Dev, Kabir Das, and Sant Tukaram in preserving and energising India’s national consciousness.
Modi reiterated the need to preserve India’s cultural and spiritual heritage while steering the nation toward modern advancements. He emphasised that despite centuries of colonial rule and invasions, India’s social consciousness remained intact, continually revitalised by various social and spiritual movements. In this context, the RSS’s century-long journey was highlighted as an embodiment of unwavering commitment to national service.
The RSS-BJP Symbiosis
and the Hindutva Agenda
While Modi’s visit reaffirmed the RSS’ influence over the BJP, it also brought to light the evolving ideological discourse within the Sangh Parivar. Interestingly, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, in recent years, has espoused a more inclusive interpretation of Hindutva, emphasising diversity. His remarks cautioning against excessive religious zeal—such as the trend of excavating mosques in search of Hindu symbols—suggest an attempt to balance ideological fervour with pragmatic governance.
Despite these ideological nuances, the BJP remains steadfast in pursuing its core Hindutva agenda. The Modi government’s advocacy for a uniform civil code, its stance on minority rights, and its aggressive cultural reclamation efforts underscore this commitment. While the RSS plays a long-term cultural game, the BJP, as an electoral entity, operates with a sense of urgency, aiming for quick political gains. Modi’s visit to the RSS headquarters can thus be seen as a gesture of gratitude for the organisation’s role in BJP’s recent electoral victories and a call for continued collaboration in upcoming state elections.
A Vision for a Developed India
In his address, Modi emphasised the need for a nation-first approach in governance. He spoke about dismantling colonial legacies, citing initiatives like replacing outdated British laws, renaming Rajpath as Kartavya Path, and revamping India’s legal and administrative frameworks. He also highlighted India’s increasing global influence, evident in its contributions during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and humanitarian assistance in international disasters.
A key focus of his speech was on India’s youth as the driving force of the nation’s progress. He lauded their contributions to innovation, entrepreneurship, and cultural preservation, expressing confidence in their ability to lead India toward its vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. The Prime Minister emphasised that organisations like the RSS, with their discipline and service-orientated philosophy, are instrumental in shaping a self-reliant and resilient India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nagpur was much more than a political event; it was a reaffirmation of ideological commitments, a strategic realignment between the BJP and RSS, and a reflection on India’s socio-cultural journey. By paying homage to historical figures, inaugurating critical projects, and reinforcing the spirit of volunteerism, Modi underscored the multifaceted dimensions of governance, ideology, and national development.
As India moves forward, the synergy between governance and grassroots movements will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the country’s future. Modi’s visit symbolised not just a reconciliation with the RSS but a broader message about the power of collective effort in realising India’s developmental aspirations. Whether in politics, culture, or service, the alignment of vision and action remains the key to India’s growth trajectory in the years to come.