The RSS does not contest elections. So where does its influence over Indian politics and society actually come from?
In this focused Bharatvaarta conversation, Roshan Cariappa speaks with Sachin Nandha about the organisation, ideology and structure of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) - and its relationship with the BJP, Narendra Modi and the larger Sangh Parivar.
What makes the RSS so influential despite not being a political party? Why does the organisation place such importance on the shakha? Is the BJP an instrument of the RSS, or does it operate independently? And how should we understand the relationship between the RSS, the BJP and the Indian state?
Sachin Nandha offers a different framework for looking at these questions - from the distinction between the Rashtra and the Rajya to the way the RSS's influence extends beyond electoral politics.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) – How Does the RSS Have So Much Power?
(03:36) – What Is the RSS Really Designed to Do?
(06:00) – Why the RSS Starts and Ends With the Shakha
(10:00) – Rashtra vs Rajya: What Is the RSS Really Trying to Change?
(13:00) – Why the RSS Doesn't Actually Care About the BJP
(15:00) – Can the Rashtra Discipline the Rajya?
(18:00) – How Does the RSS Influence the BJP?
(20:00) – Is the BJP Really Independent of the RSS?
(21:00) – The RSS as the BJP's “Great Grandmother”
(22:00) – What Is the Relationship Between Modi and the RSS?
(24:00) – Who Has More Power: RSS or BJP?
(26:00) – Is the RSS–BJP Conflict Real or a “Circus Act”?
🎙️ About Sachin Nandha
Sachin Nandha is the author of Hedgewar: A Definitive Biography, a biography of K.B. Hedgewar, founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He is also associated with the International Centre for Sustainability and writes and speaks extensively on the RSS, civilisational movements, social capital and power structures. His book and public work focus heavily on understanding the origins and evolution of the RSS and its place in modern India.
🔗 Connect with Sachin Nandha:
Instagram — @thesachinnandha
X — @sachinnandha
LinkedIn — Sachin Nandha
Website — sachinnandha.com
📚 His book
Hedgewar: A Definitive Biography: https://www.amazon.in/Hedgewar-Founder-Rashtriya-Swayamsevak-Sangh/dp/0143467662
(The book was published in 2025 and examines the life and ideas of K.B. Hedgewar and the origins of the RSS.)
The complete episode - https://youtu.be/IaSo8UQ-buw
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