During a program celebrating the centennial year of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Lucknow, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat made a significant statement regarding the relationship between the RSS and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He asserted that the RSS is not a 'remote control' for the BJP, clarifying that while many RSS volunteers have entered the political sphere and progressed within the BJP, it is misleading to claim that the RSS governs the party. His remarks seem intended to counter any narrative that the RSS exerts undue influence over the BJP's decisions.

Bhagwat also touched upon broader social themes during this event, particularly emphasizing family values and the importance of maintaining relationships in the modern context. He noted that although the joint family system has diminished over time, the essence of familial relationships should persist. Bhagwat suggested that families should come together at least once a week, and he stressed the role of the family in imparting values to children, indicating that this familial bond is crucial for cultural continuity.

This statement comes amidst ongoing discussions about the influence of ideological organizations on political parties in India. By distancing the RSS from direct control over the BJP, Bhagwat seems to be aiming to mitigate criticism from opposition parties who often claim that the RSS directly orchestrates policy decisions within the BJP. This discourse might reflect an effort to present the BJP as a more independent political entity, even as it continues to draw support from the RSS's ideological base.