 headquarters in Nagpur.){kind=link}
It was a history first when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur on 30 March 2025. It is the first time he has visited an RSS central office since he became Prime Minister in 2014. The cultural and political significance of the visit marks the close association of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological guru, the RSS, over the years.
A Historic First
The Prime Minister’s visit to the RSS headquarters has been referred to as historic since he is the first sitting Prime Minister to make such a visit in over a decade. The previous visit was made by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The visit does proceed to reveal the BJP’s strong bonding with the RSS and the degree to which the latter has made its presence felt on the party’s ideological and organizational moorings.
Agenda of the Visit
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi made a prayer at the Smriti Mandir, in memory of RSS founders Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and M.S. Golwalkar. He also inaugurated the Madhav Netralaya Premium Center, a premium eye hospital with a mission to provide world-class ophthalmic services. The proposed center will have 250 beds, 14 out-patient departments, and 14 modular operation theaters, and thus significantly enhancing the facilities in eye care in the region.
Timing of the Visit
The visit is especially timely, following the recent inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya—a project most closely associated with the RSS and BJP. Political observers have speculated that the talks regarding the visit might have included election planning for future elections and back-channel talks for the selection of a new national BJP president, a role traditionally delegated by the RSS. The final decision will be made by the BJP’s national council meeting later this month in Bengaluru.
Assertions and Reactions
Prime Minister Modi described the RSS as “strong tree of India’s time-surviving culture” and emblem of “service.” The Prime Minister valued the organization’s service on the path of national development and preservation of tradition. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis valued the Prime Minister for his strong perspective on the philosophies of a ‘pracharak’ (campaigner), hinting at common beliefs and commitment by RSS volunteers.
It is a sign of the ongoing collaboration and meeting of the eyes for India’s tomorrow on the basis of nation-building and cultural preservation. As political processes are bargained out, these meetings consolidate the strategic alignments and ideological congruence that continue to define the country’s governance and policy streams.
A passionate writer, Niharika wants to create an impact as she believes that Journalism is not just a profession, but a passion to follow and live in. With a keen eye for storytelling and a commitment to impactful writing. she strives to inform, engage, and inspire through the pieces that she crafts. Niharika has covered the 38th National Games, getting to know the lives of athletes and players closely. When not writing she is listening to music, or browsing through social media for more meaningful topics to cover.
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