Why Nitin Gadkari is facing protests from RSS affiliates on home turf

Protests are brewing among RSS affiliates in Nitin Gadkari's home state of Maharashtra against the appointment of Pyare Khan as the Maharashtra State Minorities Commission chairman. The Hindu nationalist organizations, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, have vowed to demonstrate outside the Union Minister's residence in Mahal area – an area where the RSS headquarters are also located – on Saturday. They are demanding Khan's removal, arguing that he was appointed due to political patronage.

Khan, a Nagpur-based businessman, came to prominence during the second wave of Covid-19 when he spent over Rs 85 lakh to transport over 400 metric tonnes of liquid oxygen to hospitals. He refused to be reimbursed for his expenses, claiming it was a humanitarian duty during Ramadan. Gadkari had coordinated the logistics for this effort, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also helped arrange tankers. Khan was subsequently dubbed the "Oxygen Man". His ties to political leaders further solidified his reputation.

In July 2024, the Maharashtra government appointed Khan as the chairman of the Maharashtra State Minorities Commission for a five-year term. The commission is responsible for safeguarding the rights and interests of minority communities in the state. However, the appointment has faced opposition from certain Sangh Parivar groups, who have questioned the appointment of a Muslim to the post. They argue that minority commissions in other states are headed by members of Sikh or Jain communities.

The recent protests are specifically directed at Gadkari, with VHP leaders claiming his support helped establish Khan's political standing. The controversy has also drawn the RSS into the debate, with questions raised about Khan's presence at the Sangh's recent Vijayadashami celebrations in Nagpur. The VHP claims the protest has the support of senior Sangh members, and they even performed a "purification" of a Garba pandal stage after Khan visited it.

They gifted a Varaha image to the organizers but directed them not to invite non-Muslims to the event.

The RSS, however, has distanced itself from the VHP's position. A Sangh functionary stated that their Vijayadashami event was open to people of all religions and political affiliations. They emphasized that the VHP's opposition to Khan should not be interpreted as the RSS's stance. The BJP leadership faces a challenging political situation, as Gadkari's association with Khan reflects a development-oriented approach that prioritizes cooperation across communities.

However, the VHP's campaign highlights the ideological concerns of some sections of the party's wider political constituency.