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PM Modi-RSS Relations: The 1980s came when RSS saw that to strengthen the BJP, then Modi was sent to BJP. In Gujarat, he started strengthening the organization.
PM Modi-RSS Relations: After twenty five years, the Prime Minister of India has reached the National Office of the National Self -Service Association. Earlier, Atal Bihari Vajpayee reached the office of Sangh as Prime Minister on 27 August 2000. But PM Modi and Sangh relationships are not new. PM Modi is making India out of the world today. Everyone takes inspiration from his story as the Prime Minister of the country. But this story is not only of him, but also of the organization that made him, decorated and then sees the ups and downs in relationships with him, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh i.e. RSS. This is the story of friendship, wrangling, and that changing times, when both of them strengthened each other, then slowly distance. Let’s try to understand this story in detail ..
Was started going to the branch in childhood
Narendra Modi was born in 1950 in Vadnagar, Gujarat. The condition of the house was such that tea had to be sold, but at the age of 8, one day he reached the RSS branch. The branch was the place where children used to sing khaki nikkar and sing songs of patriotism, played games of patriotism and listened to Hindutva. The younger Narendra liked all this. Gradually they started coming regularly. Then what, in the 1970s, he became the entire time preacher. Carryed day and night for RSS. At that time RSS was parents, gurus, everything and RSS also felt that this boy would do something big.
The 1980s came when the RSS saw that to strengthen the BJP, it was sent to the BJP, so Modi was sent to the BJP. In Gujarat, he started strengthening the organization. In 1995, when the BJP formed the government in Gujarat for the first time, Modi’s hard work was clearly visible in it. Then in 2001, the earthquake of Gujarat occurred, the government stagger, and RSS said, “Put forward Modi.” Just, the real story started from here.
In 2001, Modi became the CM of Gujarat. But in 2002, Gujarat riots erupted. Modi was criticized around the world. People started calling him “anti-Muslim”. But RSS did not back down, the Sangh said, “This is the awakening of Hindus, Modi is right.” At that time RSS became a shield for Modi, the volunteers of the organization defended him everywhere. The relationship was so deep that Modi had to accept everything in RSS. But this was the period when Modi was just a RSS soldier. The “Modi” brand was yet to become.
In 2014 RSS made “Modi” brand
In 2013, RSS decided that Modi has to be made PM. LK Advani was angry, but the Sangh gave its strength. The 2014 election came, millions of RSS volunteers went from village to village. The slogan of “bring Modi, save the country” echoed. From booth management to voter list, all RSS handled. outcome? The BJP got 282 seats, for the first time an absolute majority and Modi became PM.
But after coming to power, the relationship started changing. RSS felt that Modi would listen to him, as he believed earlier. But now Modi had his own style. He started talking about “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”. Increased friendship with Muslim countries. Some RSS leaders did not like this. Nevertheless, he remained silent because Modi’s victory was also his victory. The RSS made him a brand, “Modi-Modi” was echoing on the tongue from Chaiwala to the big leaders of the world. But now everything was about to change. Reports of the Sangh’s tussle with Modi started coming out.
Modi’s perspective has been different from the union on reservation
The RSS was against reservation from the beginning, the big leaders of the Sangh used to say, “It divides the society.” But seeing PM Modi in power, he understood that Dalit-OBC votes needed. In 2019, Modi said, “As long as I am, reservation will not be handed over.” RSS kept quiet on this whole matter. Then in 2023-24, the big leader of the Sangh Mohan Bhagwat said, “Reservation will remain as long as there is inequality.” No one understood what was this. Is the Sangh slowly back from its ideology or the story is something else behind it. Those who have a good understanding of politics say that this change was due to Modi. He knew that to withdraw from Modi’s line means to lose votes.
After the shock in 2024, the association increased again
How did RSS make Modi?
At this time, Modi 3.0 government is running. The effect of RSS is still there. Leaders like Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh are close to the Sangh, but there is also tension. For example, recently the Citizenship Amendment Act came into force. RSS praised, but kept silence on the farmer movement. The Modi government was under pressure, but RSS did not openly support. Nevertheless, the relationship between the two did not break. Why? Because RSS needs BJP for its ideology, and Modi has the ground strength of the organization. RSS disciplined Modi, showed the path of Hindutva, and in 2014, with the ground strength, he took him to the PM’s chair. The volunteers worked hard day and night. Modi became “brand Modi” from the RSS soldier.
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