'A proud and golden chapter': PM Modi lauds RSS in his Independence Day speech

The Prime Minister lauded RSS on its 100 years of service and called it a "golden chapter".

"A hundred years ago today, an organization was born - the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh! Its service to the nation for 100 years is a proud and golden chapter. With the resolve of nation-building through individual development, for 100 years, dedicated volunteers have devoted their lives to the welfare of Mother India with the goal of her prosperity," Modi said.

"Today, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, I remember all the volunteers who have contributed to the service of this nation for 100 years," he added.

This comes amid the speculations of a growing tension between Prime Minister Modi and RSS.

After the Modi government returned to power without a single majority in 2024, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had spoken about the values of humility.

The remark was viewed as a dig at the BJP's leadership after the setback. However, such speculations were not given weightage by RSS leaders internally.

In recent times, Bhagwat's remark that leaders should retire at 75 has been interpreted as a veiled reminder to Modi to step down as per the unverified clause in the BJP's constitution.

Bhagwat had made the remark during a book release event which was dedicated to late RSS ideologue Moropant Pingle.

However, the BJP diffused such tension and said Modi will complete his full term.

In a significant development, the Prime Minister visited the RSS headquarters in Nagpur in March 2025 for the first time since September 2014.

Slamming the Prime Minister over his mentioning of RSS in the speech, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "The most troubling element of the PM’s speech today was his name-checking of the RSS from the ramparts of the Red Fort — a blatant breach of the spirit of a constitutional, secular republic. It is nothing but a desperate attempt to appease the organisation in the run-up to his 75th birthday next month.

"Decisively weakened after the events of June 4th, 2024, he is now at their complete mercy and reliant on Mohan Bhagwat’s good offices for the extension of his tenure post-September. This politicisation of Independence Day for personal and organisational gain is deeply corrosive to our democratic ethos."