Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a historic visit to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur on Sunday, marking the first time a sitting Prime Minister has visited the Sangh’s central base. Modi’s meeting with RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat holds political weight, especially amidst speculation regarding the BJP and RSS relationship.
During the visit, PM Modi paid tribute to RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar at the Smruti Mandir, located at the RSS headquarters in Reshimbagh. He was accompanied by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat. Modi also laid the foundation stone for the expansion of Madhav Netralaya, a premium eye care center, which will include a 250-bed hospital and state-of-the-art medical facilities. This extension is in memory of former RSS chief Madhavrao Sadashivrao Golwalkar, also known as Guruji.
The visit coincided with several important developments, including BJP’s preparations for the election of a new national president. Speculation about tension in the BJP-RSS relationship had been circulating, and the timing of Modi’s visit to Nagpur, along with the foundation-laying ceremony, added extra significance to the event.
Modi’s visit comes at a crucial time for the BJP, as the party is organizing elections at various levels. The new president is expected to be elected by early April. Additionally, the RSS is preparing for its centenary celebrations starting this October, which has further added to the importance of Modi’s visit.
The event also featured prominent leaders such as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
PM Modi, who has often spoken about the influence of the RSS in his life, was introduced to the organization at the age of eight. He joined as a full-time worker in Gujarat in 1971 when he was 21 years old. In a recent podcast, he credited the RSS’s service-driven philosophy and the teachings of figures like Swami Vivekananda for shaping his vision.
