Pravin Togadia’s Return to RSS Headquarters After Six Years: A Shift in Hindutva Leadership Dynamics
In a notable development in the Indian socio-political landscape, Dr. Pravin Togadia, a once-prominent Hindutva hardliner and former international working president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), visited the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters on October 12th after a six-year gap. Togadia’s visit and his detailed discussions with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat have sparked speculation about potential changes in the relationship between Hindutva organizations and their leaders, signaling a possible reconciliation after years of estrangement.
Togadia, who had distanced himself from the Sangh Parivar in 2018 following internal shifts in the VHP’s leadership, described the meeting as informal and devoid of any political motivations. In an exclusive conversation with The New Indian Express (TNIE), Togadia explained, “Both the RSS chief and I decided it was time to meet, so we did in Nagpur on Dussehra. Our meeting wasn’t prompted by any intermediary, reason, or political agenda. The RSS and I have been working on the same issues.”
The discussions between Togadia and Bhagwat spanned across key issues such as Hindutva, the status of Hindus in Bangladesh, and women’s empowerment. They also touched upon initiatives aimed at enhancing women’s safety and training them to become empowered citizens. Togadia noted that since both organizations are focused on similar goals, there may be potential for collaboration in the future, indicating a possible rapprochement between the RSS and Togadia’s own organization.
The visit comes at a time when Pravin Togadia’s influence in the Hindutva movement has evolved. Once a dominant figure in the VHP and a key player during the BJP’s rise in Gujarat, Togadia’s sway waned after a leadership change within the VHP in 2018. Former Himachal Pradesh Governor V.S. Kokje was elected as the VHP’s international president, effectively ending Togadia’s long-standing dominance. His chosen successor, Raghava Reddy, was defeated in what was the first internal election in the VHP’s history, signaling a shift in the power dynamics of the Hindutva movement.
Reflecting on his earlier role, Pravin Togadia was pivotal during the BJP’s early years in Gujarat, working closely with figures such as Narendra Modi. Both Togadia and Modi were integral to the BJP’s rise in the state, with Pravin Togadia actively supporting Modi during internal party conflicts. However, after Modi’s ascension to the chief ministership in 2001, the two leaders gradually distanced themselves, particularly after Modi’s 2002 election victory and his efforts to broaden his appeal beyond Hindutva hardliners.
This gradual distancing culminated in a split between Pravin Togadia and the Sangh Parivar, with Pravin Togadia mocking Modi’s outreach efforts towards Muslims through the Sadbhavana initiative. By 2018, Togadia had parted ways with the VHP and the RSS, founding the Antarashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP), which he continues to lead. Under his leadership, the AHP has established a presence across multiple states in India, continuing to champion Hindutva causes.
The recent meeting between Togadia and Bhagwat is significant in light of Togadia’s past influence and his current role outside the RSS umbrella. His emphasis on Hindutva issues and women’s empowerment during the meeting points to a continued focus on core ideological themes shared by the RSS and its affiliated organizations.
Togadia also expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, congratulating Bhagwat on the construction’s role in uniting the Hindu community. The issue of the Ram Temple had long been a rallying point for Hindutva organizations, and its completion symbolizes a major victory for the movement. According to Togadia, the Ram Temple has played a unifying role, helping bridge divisions within the Hindu community that had previously been divided along caste lines.
In his statements to TNIE, Togadia clarified his current stance regarding political leaders, emphasizing that while he had attended a Dussehra event where he met a senior Union minister, the meeting was not political in nature. He reiterated that since leaving the VHP, he has not been involved with government leaders or activists but maintains personal connections that span over four decades.
As Togadia navigates his leadership role in the AHP and re-engages with the RSS leadership, his reappearance at the RSS headquarters signals a potential shift in the broader Hindutva movement. While it remains to be seen how these interactions will evolve, the meeting between Togadia and Bhagwat suggests that Togadia’s role in the movement is far from over, and there may be opportunities for future collaboration between his organization and the RSS.
For now, Dr. Pravin Togadia remains a significant figure in the Hindutva landscape, continuing to champion the causes he has long advocated while navigating a complex relationship with the Sangh Parivar. His return to the RSS fold, even symbolically, marks a noteworthy moment in the ongoing evolution of the Hindutva movement in India.