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Mohan Bhagwat, the head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is set to visit West Bengal for a 10-day tour focused on organizational matters, as announced by the RSS's West Bengal unit on February 5. During his visit, he is scheduled to engage in several rounds of discussions with RSS members and pracharaks.
Bhagwat will arrive in Kolkata on February 6 and begin his tour on February 7. He is expected to travel to Burdwan on February 13, according to Jishnu Basu, the RSS's regional campaign leader for the eastern zone.
Basu referred to Bhagwat as a beloved figure within the RSS family, describing him as a "friend, philosopher, and guide," and emphasized that Bhagwat's visit would involve multiple meetings with regional leaders to further the organization's goals. The visit will also focus on improving operational effectiveness and expanding RSS membership.
On February 16, Bhagwat is slated to address a rally in Burdwan, where RSS workers from across the state are expected to attend.
When questioned about whether Bhagwat’s visit, coinciding with the RSS's centenary and ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, had political motives, senior RSS members clarified that the visit was strictly for organizational purposes.
Basu further stated that casteism within Hinduism is like a "cancer" and acknowledged that religious conversions often happen due to caste discrimination, but are not solely driven by it.
Regarding whether the RSS was taking a stronger stance on caste discrimination, senior members reiterated that the organization's core belief has always been the unity of all Hindus. “Every Hindu is our brother,” Basu affirmed, adding that this approach was not new for the RSS.
This is Bhagwat’s first visit to West Bengal since the India-Bangladesh turmoil, which triggered numerous protests by Hindu groups across the state. However, senior RSS leaders in Kolkata declined to comment on whether Bhagwat would address the issue or make any public statements regarding it.
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