The Congress party on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he extended warm praise to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on the occasion of his 75th birthday. The Opposition party alleged that the Prime Minister’s words were nothing but a “desperate bid to curry favour with RSS leadership”, highlighting once again the deeply rooted political and ideological clash between Congress and the Sangh Parivar.

Background of the Remark

On the occasion of Mohan Bhagwat’s 75th birthday, Prime Minister Modi posted a congratulatory message acknowledging Bhagwat’s leadership of the RSS and his contribution to Indian society. The Prime Minister described him as a guiding force for many and wished him good health and a long life of service.

However, what appeared to be a routine congratulatory message from the Prime Minister soon turned into a political flashpoint, as the Congress party quickly reacted with criticism, framing the Prime Minister’s gesture as a calculated political move rather than a simple birthday wish.

Congress’s Response

Through its official social media handles and statements from senior leaders, Congress lashed out at the Prime Minister. The party said:

• The praise was a political attempt to please the RSS, which remains the ideological parent of the BJP.

• PM Modi’s gesture was evidence of his dependence on RSS leadership for political legitimacy and support.

• Instead of addressing pressing issues such as unemployment, inflation, and national security, the Prime Minister was busy indulging in flattery of the Sangh chief.

One Congress spokesperson remarked, “This is not about greetings; it is about politics. The Prime Minister, after more than a decade in power, still feels the need to show obeisance to RSS leadership. It is a desperate bid to remain in their good books.”

RSS, BJP, and Modi: The Triangular Relationship

The relationship between the RSS, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Prime Minister Modi has often been the subject of much analysis in Indian politics.

• The RSS, founded in 1925, is the ideological fountainhead of the BJP.

• Mohan Bhagwat, as the current Sarsanghchalak (chief) of the RSS, has played a significant role in shaping the organisation’s policies and its influence over the BJP.

• While PM Modi is known for his independent style of functioning, analysts have frequently debated whether he maintains equal distance or total dependence on the RSS leadership.

Congress, by attacking PM Modi on this occasion, is trying to underline the point that Modi’s political strength is still tied to the RSS and that the Prime Minister cannot claim complete independence.

The Political Timing

The incident comes at a politically sensitive moment:

• Assembly elections in several states, including Bihar and Maharashtra, are around the corner.

• The 2026 General Election is less than a year away.

• The BJP is keen on mobilising its cadre and maintaining a strong connection with the RSS, whose organisational strength at the grassroots level is unmatched.

By attacking PM Modi’s praise for Bhagwat, the Congress is attempting to portray the BJP leadership as being subservient to the RSS rather than leading independently.

Historical Clash Between Congress and RSS

The Congress party has historically maintained a sharp opposition to the RSS.

• After Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination in 1948, the RSS was briefly banned, with Congress accusing it of spreading communal ideology.

• Over decades, Congress leaders have repeatedly accused the RSS of being anti-secular and of undermining the constitutional values of pluralism and diversity.

• The RSS, on the other hand, has accused Congress of appeasement politics and neglecting the cultural roots of Indian society.

This latest episode is therefore not an isolated incident but part of a long-standing ideological battle between the two sides.

Reactions from BJP and Supporters

The BJP has strongly defended the Prime Minister’s gesture, calling Congress’s criticism “petty and unnecessary.”

• Party leaders pointed out that wishing someone on their birthday is a matter of courtesy and decency, not politics.

• They argued that Congress, by criticising such gestures, was once again exposing its anti-RSS and anti-Hindu mindset.

Several BJP spokespersons also accused Congress of deliberately attempting to create controversy where none existed, highlighting that political courtesy should not be politicised.

Broader Implications

The episode reveals several larger dynamics at play in Indian politics:

1. Dependence on RSS: BJP’s organisational and electoral strength remains tied to the RSS’s vast network of pracharaks, shakhas, and ground-level workers. PM Modi’s gesture may be interpreted as a way of consolidating this bond.

2. Congress’s Strategy: With elections approaching, Congress is keen on polarising the discourse by attacking the BJP-RSS relationship, hoping to rally secular and liberal-minded voters.

3. Symbolic Politics: Birthdays and greetings may appear routine, but in Indian politics, symbolic gestures carry heavy weight and are often interpreted through the lens of ideology and electoral strategy.

Conclusion

The sharp exchange between Congress and BJP over PM Modi’s praise for Mohan Bhagwat highlights how even symbolic gestures can become battlegrounds in India’s charged political environment. While the Prime Minister’s wishes to the RSS chief could have passed as routine, the Opposition’s reaction has turned it into a fresh point of confrontation.

As Mohan Bhagwat celebrates his 75th birthday, the episode underscores not only the continued importance of the RSS in Indian politics but also the deep fault lines between Congress and BJP.

For now, the ruling party will project the Prime Minister’s message as respect for an ideological elder, while the Opposition will continue to brand it as political flattery aimed at appeasing the RSS leadership.

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