Bhagwat avoids Yogi during Gorakhpur visit; highlights RSS centenary plans to members
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat concluded his five-day visit to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, June 17, notably avoiding Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and offering guidance to Sangh cadres, underscoring the increasing rift between the BJP and its ideological foundation, the RSS.
During his visit, Bhagwat addressed several meetings with RSS members from Awadh, Varanasi, Kanpur and Gorakhpur. According to Sangh sources, he emphasised the following points:
- Centenary Expansion: In preparation for its centenary next year, the RSS is appointing ‘shatabdi vistaraks’ (‘centenary expansionists’) nationwide to establish the outfit’s presence in every village by engaging with residents and organising shakhas (branches).
- Social Unity: Bhagwat highlighted the widening societal divisions as a national threat and stressed the RSS’s duty to bridge these gaps. The RSS plans to host community feasts across the country, inviting people from all castes (excluded mentioning specific religious communities).
- Hindu Values: He urged every Hindu to sincerely follow the religion’s values. The RSS will follow the legacy of warrior kings Chhatrapati Shivaji and Maharana Pratap to unite Hindus under its banner.
- Eliminating Discrimination: Bhagwat called for an end to caste discrimination and untouchability to protect Hindu culture, establish India as a ‘Vishwa Guru’ and transform the country into a ‘Hindu Rashtra’.
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