New Delhi: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat made a rare visit to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence Tuesday evening, ThePrint has learnt.
A meeting took place between the two at 7, Lok Lakyan Marg in the backdrop of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives in what was one of the deadliest terror attacks in the Kashmir Valley.
According to sources in the BJP and the Sangh, it was vital for the government to take the RSS in confidence in the aftermath of the 22 April terror attack. The sources said that the Pahalgam attack and the options that are being weighed by the Modi government were discussed. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also attended the meeting, they added.
The meeting took place shortly after PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting with the top defence establishment to discuss India’s response to the terror attack in Pahalgam. PM Modi, according to a PTI report, said that the Indian armed forces have “complete operational freedom” to decide the mode, targets, and timing of India’s upcoming attack.
The Bhagwat-Modi meeting, the sources said, was planned much in advance and the discussions were largely on the terrorist attack.
When asked whether a Sangh chief in the past has made a visit to the PM’s residence, a source in the RSS said rules and protocols have to be eased when the matter concerns national security.
The sources added that the two leaders discussed multiple issues. “Right now the most concerning issue before the government is India’s response to Pakistan, and, naturally, it figured in the discussion. At the same time, talks were held on the measures to be put in place to handle the situation post India’s response,” one of the sources said.
“As right now, the priority of government is to deal Pakistan situation, the organisation polls can take back seat for time being. The priority of the RSS as well as the party is to back the government in dealing with the Pahalgam challenge,” the source added.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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