The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), India’s preeminent Hindu nationalist organization, commenced a three-day coordination meeting in Palakkad, Kerala, in late August 2024. The gathering, known as the Akhil Bharatiya Samanvay Baithak, marked a significant event for the Sangh Parivar, the collective name for the network of organizations affiliated with the RSS. This meeting, however, stood out not only for its agenda but also for the underlying tensions between the RSS and its political offshoot, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by President J.P. Nadda. The initial day of the meeting was somber, with attendees paying homage to the victims of a recent landslide in Wayanad, signaling the RSS’s deep engagement with national and local tragedies.
RSS and BJP: A Historical Nexus Under Strain
The relationship between the RSS and the BJP is foundational to understanding the political landscape in India. The RSS, founded in 1925 by K.B. Hedgewar, was established with the goal of promoting Hindu values and cultural unity in a diverse and often fractious society. The organization’s extensive network of volunteers, known as Swayamsevaks, has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s socio-political fabric over the decades.
The political arm of the RSS was first realized with the formation of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951, which eventually evolved into the BJP in 1980 after the dissolution of the Janata Party. The BJP, under the guidance of the RSS, gradually emerged as a significant force in Indian politics, particularly with its landmark victory in the 2014 general elections under the leadership of Narendra Modi.
However, as the BJP has grown in power and influence, particularly after securing a third consecutive term at the Center in 2024, there have been signs of strain in its relationship with the RSS. This strain became evident when BJP President J.P. Nadda made a controversial statement during the run-up to the 2024 elections, suggesting that the BJP no longer required the RSS’s support as the party had become self-sufficient.
This statement was seen as a departure from the traditionally symbiotic relationship between the two organizations. The RSS, which has historically provided ideological guidance and grassroots support to the BJP, viewed Nadda’s remarks as a potential challenge to its influence. The closed-door meeting between Nadda and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat during the Palakkad event was, therefore, closely watched as an attempt to realign the relationship and ensure that any perceived rift was mended ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The Significance of the Palakkad Meeting
The Akhil Bharatiya Samanvay Baithak serves as a strategic forum where the RSS and its affiliates review their activities, discuss current affairs, and plan future initiatives. The 2024 meeting in Palakkad was no different, with over 300 senior members of the Sangh Parivar in attendance. The heads of several key RSS-affiliated organizations, including the Rashtra Sevika Samiti, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), presented their annual reports and outlined their plans for the coming year.
A significant portion of the discussions was dedicated to the preparations for the RSS’s centenary celebrations, which are set to begin on Vijayadashami in 2025 and continue until Vijayadashami in 2026. These celebrations will be a landmark event, reflecting on the RSS’s contributions to Indian society over the past century and charting its course for the future.
The meeting also addressed the BJP’s political strategies and the broader national interest. The presence of key BJP leaders, including General Secretary B.L. Santosh and Joint General Secretary Shiv Prakash, underscored the importance of aligning the RSS’s social and cultural initiatives with the BJP’s political objectives. Despite Nadda’s earlier comments, the BJP leadership’s involvement in the meeting indicated that the party continues to value the RSS’s support, particularly as it prepares for upcoming state and national elections.
Political Implications and Strategic Challenges
The strained dynamics between the RSS and BJP, highlighted by Nadda’s statement, reflect broader tensions within India’s ruling political ecosystem. As the BJP has expanded its reach and consolidated power, it has had to navigate the complexities of being a political party that is both reliant on and independent from its ideological parent, the RSS.
The BJP’s return to coalition politics in 2024, after a decade of single-party dominance, has added another layer of complexity to this relationship. The coalition, while necessary for electoral success in a diverse and politically fragmented landscape, has led to compromises that some within the RSS view as a deviation from the party’s core ideological principles. The Palakkad meeting provided a platform for the RSS to voice these concerns and to ensure that the BJP’s political strategies remain aligned with the Sangh’s vision for India.
The closed-door meeting between Nadda and Bhagwat was particularly significant in this context. Political analysts suggest that the conversation likely focused on addressing the RSS’s concerns about the BJP’s growing assertiveness and the potential implications for the party’s ideological direction. The RSS, while supportive of the BJP’s success, is keen to ensure that the party does not stray too far from its foundational values, particularly as it navigates the challenges of coalition governance and the pressures of electoral politics.
The Broader Hindutva Ecosystem
Beyond the RSS and BJP, the broader Hindutva ecosystem has become increasingly influential in shaping India’s socio-political landscape. Organizations like the VHP and Bajrang Dal, which are affiliated with the RSS, have played a key role in promoting the Hindutva ideology and mobilizing support for the BJP. These organizations, while operating under the broader umbrella of the Sangh Parivar, often pursue their own agendas, which can sometimes create tensions within the ecosystem.
In recent years, there has been a growing assertiveness among these organizations, particularly in the context of issues like cow protection, religious conversions, and the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The VHP, for instance, has been at the forefront of the Ram Temple movement, which culminated in the groundbreaking ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2020. This event was a significant moment for the Hindutva movement, symbolizing the realization of a long-standing demand and a key element of the RSS’s vision for India.
However, the assertiveness of these organizations has also led to challenges, particularly in terms of managing public perception and navigating the complexities of India’s diverse society. The BJP, as the political face of the Hindutva movement, has had to strike a balance between appeasing its core supporters and maintaining a broader electoral appeal. This balancing act has become increasingly challenging as the party has sought to expand its base beyond its traditional strongholds, particularly in states with significant minority populations.
The Palakkad meeting provided an opportunity for the RSS and its affiliates to discuss these challenges and to ensure that their strategies are aligned. The discussions likely included a focus on how to manage the growing influence of these organizations within the broader Hindutva ecosystem and how to ensure that their activities do not undermine the BJP’s electoral prospects.
Recent Developments: A Changing Political Landscape
In the months leading up to the Palakkad meeting, there were several significant developments in India’s political landscape that have implications for the RSS-BJP relationship. One of the most notable was the BJP’s performance in the 2024 general elections, where the party managed to secure a third consecutive term but was forced to form a coalition government. This outcome was seen as a mixed result for the BJP, reflecting both its continued dominance and the challenges it faces in maintaining its electoral appeal.
The return to coalition politics has raised questions about the sustainability of the BJP’s success and the potential for internal tensions within the ruling alliance. The RSS, which has always advocated for a strong and unified Hindu nationalist movement, is likely concerned about the impact of coalition governance on the BJP’s ability to implement its agenda. This concern was likely a key topic of discussion during the Palakkad meeting, particularly in the context of the upcoming state elections and the broader national interest.
Another recent development that has added to the complexity of the RSS-BJP dynamic is the growing influence of other regional political parties and movements. In states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra, regional parties have increasingly asserted their influence, challenging the BJP’s dominance and complicating the party’s efforts to expand its reach. The RSS, which has always emphasized the importance of a united Hindu nationalist movement, is likely concerned about the impact of these regional dynamics on the BJP’s electoral prospects.
In response to these challenges, the RSS has reportedly been exploring ways to strengthen its grassroots network and to ensure that its affiliates are better equipped to support the BJP in key battleground states. This effort is likely to involve a greater emphasis on social and cultural initiatives, particularly in regions where the BJP has struggled to gain traction.
RSS’s Centenary Celebrations: A Vision for the Future
The upcoming centenary celebrations of the RSS, which will begin in 2025, provide an important context for understanding the organization’s current strategic priorities. These celebrations, which will culminate in 2026, are expected to be a major event in India’s socio-political calendar, highlighting the RSS’s contributions to nation-building and its vision for the future.
The centenary celebrations will also serve as an opportunity for the RSS to reflect on its relationship with the BJP and to chart a course for the future. The organization is likely to use the occasion to reassert its ideological influence and to ensure that its vision for India remains at the forefront of the country’s political discourse.
In this context, the Palakkad meeting can be seen as a crucial step in the RSS’s preparations for its centenary year. The discussions at the meeting are likely to have focused on how to best position the RSS and its affiliates to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the centenary celebrations, while also addressing the challenges posed by the changing political landscape.
Conclusion: A Complex and Evolving Relationship
The relationship between the RSS and the BJP is one of the most complex and significant dynamics in Indian politics. While the two organizations have historically worked closely together, recent developments suggest that their relationship is evolving in response to changing political realities.
The Palakkad meeting highlighted the tensions and challenges that have emerged as the BJP has grown in power and influence. However, it also underscored the continued importance of the RSS as an ideological guide and strategic partner for the BJP.
As India moves towards the next general elections and the RSS prepares for its centenary celebrations, the relationship between these two organizations will be crucial in shaping the country’s political future. The Palakkad meeting, with its focus on strategic planning and addressing internal tensions, represents an important moment in this ongoing relationship. Whether the RSS and BJP can navigate these challenges and maintain their close partnership will have significant implications for India’s political landscape in the years to come.
Soumya Smruti Sahoo is a seasoned journalist with extensive experience in both international and Indian news writing. With a sharp analytical mind and a dedication to uncovering the truth, Soumya has built a reputation for delivering in-depth, well-researched articles that provide readers with a clear understanding of complex global and domestic issues. Her work reflects a deep commitment to journalistic integrity, making her a trusted source for accurate and insightful news coverage.
