RSS Invites Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar To October 20 Dussehra Celebrations In Nagpur Amid Strained Ties With Modi Government

Surprise announcement: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has extended an invitation to former vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar to participate in its annual Dussehra celebrations in Nagpur on October 20. This decision has drawn attention due to the tense relationship between Dhankhar and the current Union government, which began when Dhankhar resigned from his post on July 22, 2025, citing health concerns.

The RSS Nagpur office announced the invitation in a note on Tuesday, stating that Dhankhar will join Yaniv Revach, the Consulate General of Israel, at the event. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will deliver his annual address, with Sanjay Gupta as the chief guest.

Senior RSS official Rajesh Loya explained that the inclusion of Dhankhar is part of the organization's standard practice of inviting dignitaries to events. He added that Dhankhar's presence is a clear indication of the RSS's efforts to assert its authority, particularly in the face of perceived secondary role it has been accused of playing to the BJP. The insider noted that this move aims to dispel the misconception that the Sangh is merely subordinate to the ruling party.

The Dussehra function, which will mark the culmination of the RSS' centenary celebrations, comes at a time when RSS chief Bhagwat has made several pointed remarks with indirect references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Last year, Bhagwat expressed concern over communal tension in Manipur during his Dussehra address, implying criticism of the Union government's handling of the crisis.

Modi had visited Manipur shortly after Bhagwat's statement. In other notable remarks, Bhagwat emphasized the importance of a true "sevak" working without arrogance or a sense of self-importance, and treating the opposition as a counterpart rather than an adversary in a democratic setup.