In his Independence Day 2025 speech for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s National Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS), Red Fort strongly criticized opposition parties, along with leaders – including Asaduddin Owaisi – of freedom for the National event.
In addition to the All India Majlis-e-Itihadul Muslimeen Head, Congress and CPI (M) led the attack, calling Modi’s comments-RSS’s 100 years of “world’s largest NGOs” “the world’s largest NGO” attempts to violate-in-constitutional values as “the world’s largest NGO” “very proud and magnificent” journey.
Owasi called the RSS’s praise “insult to freedom struggle”, accused the Sangh and its colleagues, “British legs served as soldiers” and “hated Gandhi more than Gandhi, as much as he had once opposed the British”.
In a post on X, Owissi said, “The ideology of Hindutva believes in exclusion and is opposed to the values of our Constitution. Modi can go to Nagpur who could go to praise the RSS as a Swamvasva, why did they have to do this as Prime Minister from the Red Fort?”
Congress general secretary Jayer Ramesh said, “Today the most troubled element of PM’s speech was his name-checking of the RSS from the ramparts of the Red Fort-a constitutional, a clear violation of the spirit of the secular Republic. It’s nothing, but a frustrated attempt to operate the organization for his 75th birthday next month.”
He also accused Modi of offering “little” through “stale, hypocritical, insufficient” addresses, recycling old slogans and “little” through average results.
Congress MP Manikam Tagore took a step forward, alleging that “the legacy of the RSS is not to fight colonialism – but to spread the hatred and partition among the fellow Indians … Still, PM Modi – to please the RSS – is allegedly blocking the plan for his retirement on 17 September 2025.
CPI (M) also hit this, General Secretary MA Baby said, “It is deeply regretted that Prime Minister Modi chose to praise the RSS from the Red Fort in his Independence Day address – an organization with a suspicious historical record. Humiliation of our martyrs’ memory and the spirit of our freedom movement.”
Modi’s comment on RSS marked one of one of the rare opportunities when a Prime Minister spoke in length about the organization at the Independence Day address.
RSS, established by Keshav Baliram Hedwar in Nagpur in 1925, is marking its centenary year with a series of events and outreach programs across the country.
What did PM Modi say about RSS?
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 79th Independence Day, Modi said that the nation has not been formed by the government or only people in power.
He said that it is made by the efforts of crores of people, in which saints, seer, scientists,
Modi said, “Today I want to mention one thing with great pride that an organization was born 100 years ago – the Rashtraapathri Swayamsevak Sangh. Its 100 -year national service has been a very proud and great page.”
For the last 100 years, RSS SAWAYAMSEAVAKS (Volunteer) is dedicated to his life to fulfill the resolve of ‘Vyakti Nirman’ (character development) and ‘nation building) (nation building) for the welfare of’ Matrubhoomi ‘(Motherland), for the welfare of’ MABHOOMI ‘(Motherland).
He said, “Today from the ramparts of the Red Fort, I respectfully recall all the Swamyvaks who have contributed to these 100 years of national service,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that service, dedication, organization and unique discipline are the identity of RSS, “which is the largest non-governmental organization (NGO) in the world”.
The country is proud of the 100 years of the RSS’s “dedicated and luxurious” journey, he said, “It will inspire us”.
(With input from agencies)
