After the Mode-centric campaign promising `Modi Gurantees’ failed to get absolute majority for the BJP in recent Lok Sabha elections, many RSS functionaries have been expressing their discontent over his style of functioning. Among them, RSS chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat seems to be in the front row.
His recent comment referring to people “who want to become superman, to become devta (deity)…Bhagwan (God)” creating uproar among BJP circles. Addressing a village-level workers’ interaction programme in Bishnupur, Jharkhand, Bhagwat said, “There is no end to progress. People want to become superman, but they don’t stop there; then they want to become devta, then Bhagwan. But Bhagwan says He is vishwaroop. Nobody knows if there is anything beyond that. There is no end to development.”
This comment appeared to be a veiled attack on Modi, who during the recent election campaign claimed that he felt he was brought by the GOD Himself for the sake of the country.
Now infamous interview with News18 during the recent Lok Sabha election campaign, in which Modi had said, “When my mother was alive, I used to believe that I was born biologically. Once she passed, upon reflecting on all my experiences, I was convinced that God had sent me to Earth. This energy could not be from my biological body but was bestowed upon me by God…whenever I do anything, I believe God is guiding me.”
Moreover, his comment is particularly significant as it comes at a time when the BJP is grappling with infighting in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, with speculation growing about a rift between the party and its ideological parent RSS.
After the BJP’s unexpectedly modest showing in the Lok Sabha polls, Bhagwat had remarked that a “true sevak should not be arrogant”. He had also remarked that maryada (dignity) and sanyam (restraint) were lacking in the BJP campaign, and also pointed out that the RSS views the Opposition not as an enemy (virodhi) but as a counterpoint (pratipaksh).
Congress MP and general-secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh was quick to react. Taking a jibe at Modi, Ramesh wrote on X in Hindi, “I am sure the self-proclaimed non-biological prime minister must have received news of this latest Agni missile fired from Nagpur via Jharkhand targeting Lok Kalyan Marg.”