'No quarrel anywhere': RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat dismisses rift talks, differences with BJP, Centre

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday dismissed speculation about strains in the organisation’s relationship with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government. He added that coordination between the Centre, state governments and the RSS remains smooth.

“There is no quarrel anywhere,” Bhagwat said, responding to a question on whether differences existed between the RSS and its political affiliate. “We are having good coordination with every government, both state governments and the central government.”

Explaining further, the RSS chief noted that while governments often face constraints, the intent should not be doubted. “There are systems which have some internal contradictions. The system in general is the same, which was invented by the British so that they can rule. So, we have to have some innovations,” he said while addressing the audience during the second day of the organisation's 100-year celebration in Maharashtra's Nagpur.


Bhagwat stressed that even leaders fully aligned with the Sangh’s vision encounter institutional challenges. “We want something to happen. Even if the man in the chair is 100% for us, he has to do it, and knows what the hurdles are. He may or may not be able to do it. We have to give him that independence,” he remarked.

Underscoring the distinction between the RSS and the government, Bhagwat said the Sangh cannot be seen as the final decision-making authority in political matters. “Humare yahan mat bhed ho sakta hai par mann bhed nahi hai (we may differ in opinion, but not in intent). Does RSS decide everything? This is completely wrong. This cannot happen at all,” he said.

He added that the roles of the two institutions are separate: “I have been running the Sangh for many years, and they are running the government. Therefore, we can only give advice, not make a decision. If we were deciding, would it take so much time? We do not decide.”

The comments come at a time when sections of the Opposition have sought to portray differences between the Sangh and the ruling BJP on matters of governance and policy.