Endorsement of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as "nation-builders"

In one of his speeches (notably during an Independence Day address) Modi openly praised the RSS as one of the world’s largest NGOs and credited it with a century of "nation-building". This was seen as a departure from more cautious references until then.

The RSS is a Hindu-nationalist organisation, and critics argue that openly aligning the prime minister with it blurs the line between constitutional neutrality and partisan ideology in a secular democracy.

Opposition leaders said the praise was an insult to freedom fighters and to the idea of a plural India because many view the RSS as divisive.

The comments sparked debate over secularism, neutrality of the PM’s office, and the role of organisations like the RSS in governance.