Bhagwat a ticking bomb: RSS chief's centenary lecture may pin-prick Modi, set BJP on fire

As the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) kicks off its grand three-day lecture series at the iconic Vigyan Bhavan today, marking the organisation’s centenary year, all eyes are on chief Mohan Bhagwat. With a star-studded guest list boasting over 1,300 invitees — from military veterans to global diplomats — the event is being touted as a celebration of the RSS’s “100-year journey and new horizons.” 

But in the shadow of the BJP’s 2024 electoral setback and mounting internal whispers, this isn’t merely a nostalgic nod to the past. Insiders are buzzing: Could Bhagwat, known for his cryptic yet pointed oratory, drop subtle bombshells that expose the fraying ties between the ideological parent and its political progeny?

The series, from August 26 to 28, promises discourses on nationalism, social cohesion and the Sangh’s vision for a “New India.” Yet, with the BJP still reeling from its 240-seat Lok Sabha reality check, every syllable from Bhagwat will be parsed for hints of discord. Past lectures have seen him advocate “humility” and warn against “arrogance” — veiled jabs that left Modi loyalists squirming. Now, amid reports of strained relations, the media is on red alert for Bhagwat to weave in questions that could rock the boat — all without naming names. After all, in the Sangh Parivar’s delicate dance, a hint is as good as a headline.

Take the BJP’s leadership vacuum: Why has there been no full-fledged party president for so long? The post, last held decisively by JP Nadda, whose term expired amid delays, remains in limbo as the party inches toward elections for a new chief. This process kicked off in June but drags on, fuelling speculation of internal paralysis. Will Bhagwat, in his emphasis on organisational discipline and renewal, subtly prod at this glaring gap? “The strength of any movement lies in its structured leadership,” he might say, leaving scribes to connect the dots to the BJP’s rudderless state ahead of key polls like Bihar’s.

Will the patch-up work?

Then there’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s somewhat unexpected shoutout to the RSS during his Independence Day address. Hailing the Sangh’s “proud and glorious” century as the world’s largest NGO dedicated to nation-building, Modi’s praise came amid swirling reports of tension between Nagpur and Delhi. Was it a genuine olive branch or a desperate bid to appease? Merely a customary observation on the RSS’s centenary year? Critics, including the Congress, called it “troubling” and an “attack on the Constitution,” given what they see as the RSS’s historical baggage. However, Sanghis would argue that Atal Bihari Vajpayee stood up for the Sangh as well and the swayamsevak-prime minister of the day praising their organisation is wholly merited, given the animus the Parivar faces from the left wing.

But Bhagwat could flip the script, musing aloud: “True service needs no public acclaim; it thrives in quiet dedication.” Such a line would spark frenzy — is he dismissing Modi’s gesture as performative, hinting at deeper rifts over the BJP’s personality-driven politics overshadowing the RSS’s grassroots ethos?

And the elephant in the room: The unceremonious exit of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. His sudden resignation on July 21, citing “health reasons” just hours after clashing with Opposition MPs, has ignited a firestorm of rumours — from elite power plays to constitutional overreach. Now, with Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan announced as the NDA’s candidate for the September 9 vice-presidential polls, preparations for replacement are in full swing, turning the vacancy into a political battleground. Ever the guardian of institutional integrity, Bhagwat might touch on “stability in high offices” or “seamless transitions for national harmony.” 

No names needed — the media would erupt, linking it to Dhankhar’s “mysterious” departure and the BJP’s hasty manoeuvring, perhaps as a sign of Modi’s iron grip slipping.

A gala event

The guest list only amps up the intrigue: Former Army Chiefs MM Naravane and Gen JJ Singh, Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, ex-CJIs Ranjan Gogoi and JS Kehar, diplomat Kawal Sibal, cricket hero Kapil Dev, Olympian Abhinav Bindra and artistes like Manoj Joshi, Ram V Sutar and Dagar brothers. Add diplomats from the US, China, Nepal, Australia, South Africa, Kazakhstan — but pointedly not Pakistan or Bangladesh — and you’ve got a global stage for any subtle salvo. “This is the RSS flaunting its clout,” confided a veteran observer. “Bhagwat’s words could force the BJP to confront its troubles — or risk a full-blown family feud.”

RSS insiders dismiss the speculation, insisting that the lectures are about unity and vision. But as Day 1 unfolds with Bhagwat’s opening address, the air at Vigyan Bhavan is thick with anticipation. If he picks even one of these threads, the fallout could reshape the Sangh Parivar. In this high-stakes echo chamber, silence speaks volumes — but hints? They could scream. Stay tuned for the aftershocks.