In a significant political exchange, the Congress party on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, confronted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent accolades for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The Congress reminded the Prime Minister of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s historical assertion that the Sangh’s activities had created an atmosphere that contributed to the tragic killing of Mahatma Gandhi.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned, “The PM has spoken much of the RSS this morning. Is he even aware of what Sardar Patel wrote to Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee on July 18, 1948?”
Ramesh then shared excerpts from a pivotal letter penned by then-Home Minister Patel to Mookerjee. In this letter, Patel stated: “As regards the RSS and the Hindu Mahasabha, the case relating to Gandhiji’s murder is sub-judice and I should not like to say anything about the participation of the two organisations, but our reports do confirm that, as a result of the activities of these two bodies, particularly the former, an atmosphere was created in the country in which such a ghastly tragedy became possible….
“The activities of the RSS constituted a clear threat to the existence of government and the State. Our reports show that those activities, despite the ban, have not died down. Indeed, as time has marched on, the RSS circles are becoming more defiant and are indulging in their subversive activities in an increasing measure….”
The PM has spoken much of the RSS this morning.
Is he even aware of what Sardar Patel wrote to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee on July 18, 1948?
More to follow…. pic.twitter.com/HGepV8uSn3
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) October 1, 2025
Earlier the same day, Prime Minister Modi had addressed the centenary celebrations of the RSS in New Delhi, where he praised the organization for its foundational role in national development. Modi highlighted that the RSS has consistently focused on the principle of ‘nation first’ and has never allowed bitterness to take root, despite facing numerous criticisms and challenges.
“The Sangh has fought against the atrocities of the British. Its only interest has always been love towards the nation,” the Prime Minister asserted, acknowledging that RSS volunteers had sheltered freedom fighters and its leaders were imprisoned during India’s struggle for independence.
Modi further added that the RSS has endured countless attempts to suppress its spirit, including allegations and false cases. “The RSS has never been bitter, despite attempts to make false cases against it, attempts to ban it and other challenges, because we are part of a society where we accept both the good and the bad,” he stated, implicitly referring to the period when the Sangh was banned following Gandhi’s assassination.