PM Modi’s Red Fort praise for RSS signals political messaging amid stress in BJP-RSS ties

New Delhi, Aug 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address carried a surprise acknowledgment: a tribute to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as it completes 100 years. Hailing it as the “biggest NGO in the world” with a century of “nation-building,” the Prime Minister’s remarks mark the first time he has spoken about the RSS from the Red Fort as head of government. His praise underlined the Sangh’s ideological and organisational contribution to what he described as “vyakti nirman se rashtra nirman,” building the nation through character-building and framed the organisation’s work as a golden chapter in India’s history.

The Independence Day celebrations was also marked by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Odisha, where he hoisted the tricolour and called India a “unique country” with a mission to bring peace and happiness to the world, anchored in its Dharma.

He argued that global challenges remain unresolved despite centuries of effort and urged India to provide solutions rooted in its cultural and spiritual vision.

The timing of PM Modi’s public endorsement is noteworthy. Media reports have suggested recent strains between the BJP and the RSS, with differences over leadership choices allegedly delaying the announcement of the BJP’s next president. Against this backdrop, the Prime Minister’s remarks can be read as both a gesture of respect for the Sangh’s legacy and a signal to reaffirm alignment ahead of politically sensitive months. By placing the RSS in his Independence Day narrative, PM Modi appeared to be reinforcing the ideological link between the ruling party and its parent organisation, even as internal differences remain a matter of quiet discussion within political circles.