Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently gave a strong response in the Lok Sabha to Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This was not just a normal parliamentary exchange. Shah pointed out that the Congress party has often tried to gain political advantage by attacking the RSS. But he emphasized that the people of India have made their choice clear through elections. Leaders associated with the RSS ideology are governing the nation today because of the democratic mandate, not because of anyone’s generosity.
Shah’s remarks highlight a deeper change in Indian politics. For many years, the RSS was often treated as a political liability. Various political parties, along with certain NGOs and academic voices, created a narrative portraying the RSS as a symbol of Hindu orthodoxy and communalism. This ecosystem carefully built a “moral high ground” against the organization, based on misinformation and negative campaigns.
Historically, the RSS faced significant challenges and bans in India, including in 1948, 1975, and 1992, often influenced by political pressures. During the UPA government, the term “Saffron Terror” was coined, and RSS functionaries were sometimes falsely accused. Critics portrayed the RSS as representing regressive elements in society. In this environment, even a connection with the RSS could be seen as a disadvantage in politics.
Shah’s speech changed that narrative. He emphasized that both he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi belong to the RSS, whose philosophy is focused on nation building and sacrifice. By highlighting the RSS’s role in societal development, Shah dismantled the negative narrative and presented the organization as aligned with what is best for the country. This shift represents a new political grammar, where the RSS is no longer treated as a liability but as a positive force in Indian politics.
Amit Shah’s message carries another important meaning: it rejects the idea of dynastic politics. He reminded everyone that the current government came to power because of the democratic choice of over 1.4 billion people, not because of inherited political entitlement. The Prime Minister and Home Minister, both associated with the RSS, lead the nation due to the mandate given by the people, not through political charity.
The speech also indirectly pointed out that critics of the RSS have rarely engaged with it in an honest ideological debate. Instead, opposition parties have often relied on false narratives, misinformation, and selective reporting to attack the organization. Shah’s intervention signals that such strategies are no longer effective, and the public has largely rejected them through electoral outcomes.
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Historically, even those who criticized the RSS have changed their views after seeing its work. Jai Prakash Narayan, a noted socialist leader, once opposed the RSS but later praised its ability to transform society, fight casteism, and uplift the poor. This shows that the organization focuses on grassroots work and societal organization rather than reacting to political attacks.
Shah’s speech reinforces the idea that the RSS embodies the civilizational values driving Indian society today. The propaganda against it has lost credibility, and the organization’s role in nation-building is widely recognized. Prime Minister Modi also acknowledged the RSS during his Independence Day speech in 2025, congratulating it on its centenary year. Shah’s parliamentary remarks build on this recognition, firmly asserting the importance of the RSS in India’s civilizational discourse.
By reframing the debate, Amit Shah has effectively changed how the RSS is perceived in Indian politics. No longer just a target of political attacks, the organization is now linked with democratic legitimacy, nation-building, and public service. His speech marks a defining moment in modern Indian political discourse, showing that ideological commitment and democratic approval can go hand in hand.
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