PM Modi & Mohan Bhagwat: A Bond That Goes Beyond Politics And Power

Last Updated:March 31, 2025, 07:58 IST

Sunday's Nagpur meeting between the leaders was not just an instance of sharing stage, or a chance meeting; it was a reaffirmation of a bond rooted in decades of shared commitment

Beyond the formalities, what stood out were the candid moments—Modi and Bhagwat’s casual conversations, their laughter, the ease in their exchanges. (PTI)

The bond between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief (Sarsanghchalak) Mohan Bhagwat has always been one of shared ideology and deep mutual respect. The Sangh veterans often say that they are best friends, raised and groomed to work together like brothers ‘dedicated to the larger mission’.

However, the visuals from their recent interactions—walking side by side at Smruti Mandir, sharing light moments on stage, and engaging in visually effortless camaraderie—offer a rare public glimpse into this relationship.

Even though people who could see the visuals hardly knew what they talked about, it was amply clear that the bond between the two — chief of the largest Hindutva force and the most formidable face of the country — goes beyond politics, routine issues and all controversies.

Bhagwat was made the general secretary of the RSS in 2000 while Modi was elected the chief minister of Gujarat in 2001. Even though they grew in their respective organisations in different states, they have always been connected through a special bond, said a senior RSS functionary.

The Enduring Modi-Bhagwat ‘Bond’

Another senior RSS functionary said, “They are not often seen together publicly, but that does not mean they are not talking. They communicate as and when it is required and at several levels. We often call them Jai-Veeru in a light-hearted manner, even though in our structure we always need to be disciplined even in our words. But we have grown up hearing about their friendship, their understanding and amazing organisational work equations. for over the past three decades, we never knew of any dent there."

It was not just an instance of sharing stage, or a chance meeting; it was a reaffirmation of a bond rooted in decades of shared commitment to the common roots, discipline and its service as the country witnessed a historic moment unfolding in Nagpur on Sunday.

For the first time ever, a sitting prime minister visited Smruti Mandir, the nerve centre of the RSS, accompanied by Bhagwat.

The significance of such an event was unmistakable, and none can unsee this.

Smruti Mandir–better known as Dr Hedgewar Smruti Mandir in Reshimbagh— is regarded a sacred ground by the Sangh. It preserves the legacy and memory of RSS founder Dr. Hedgewar and M Golwalkar, fondly called ‘Guruji’ within Sangh circles, and has always been a place of ideological reflection and tribute for Sangh volunteers across ranks.

Modi’s presence at Reshimbagh, alongside Bhagwat, symbolised the continuum of thought that connects the RSS and the government in their mission for ‘Bharat’s’ resurgence. It was a message for the whole Sangh Parivar, which also included the BJP.

Common Roots

From Smruti Mandir, Modi and Bhagwat arrived at Madhav Netralaya, an institution that presents RSS’ ethos of ‘service’. The PM praised its decades-long commitment to restoring eyesight, drawing a parallel between the organisation’s work and the RSS’s larger mission—bringing both physical and ideological vision to society.

In his speech, Modi spoke not as an outsider but as one of them, using the phrase “hum Swayamsevak" repeatedly, reaffirming his RSS lineage.

However, beyond the formalities, what stood out were the candid moments—Modi and Bhagwat’s casual conversations, their laughter, the ease in their exchanges.

These were not mere optics but reflections of a bond, a relationship, built over years of shared struggle and discipline. The warmth between them, which came across through the visuals, almost dismissed all the notions of an alleged ‘rift’, or any lingering speculation of friction.

The event appeared to be a well-timed outreach; it was a carefully crafted moment of consolidation. It reinforced the ideological bridge between the RSS and the government. The takeaways from the event in Nagpur were clear— a reflection of a united Sangh Parivar.

Nagpur, India, India

News politics PM Modi & Mohan Bhagwat: A Bond That Goes Beyond Politics And Power