CM Siddaramaiah slams PM Modi for praising RSS in Independence Day speech
Bengaluru, Aug 15 (PTI): Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for describing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as the "world’s biggest NGO", Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday accused him of "speaking as an RSS pracharak from the ramparts of the Red Fort" rather than as the leader of 140 crore Indians.
Siddaramaiah claimed the RSS is "the world’s biggest for-political-profit, for-hate, and most divisive organisation—unregistered, non-tax-paying, and conspiring to pit Indians against each other."
Earlier in the day, Modi had hailed 100 years of the RSS as a "very proud and glorious" journey of the "world’s biggest NGO" and saluted its volunteers for their service to the nation. Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the 79th Independence Day, he said the country is not built by the government alone but by the efforts of people across society.
Quoting from Modi’s remarks, Siddaramaiah claimed on 'X': "Let’s be clear: the RSS is not an NGO. It is an unregistered, non-tax-paying organisation that thrives on political profit and hate, and conspires to divide Indians."
He alleged the Red Fort was "not a BJP rally stage" but a place of historical significance from where the prime minister must speak for all citizens, not promote his party's parent body.
"By praising the RSS, PM Modi spoke as an RSS pracharak, not as the leader of 140 crore people," Siddaramaiah alleged, calling the remarks a "desperate move to appease the RSS" when Modi was "politically weakened and reliant on its backing."
The chief minister claimed Modi had "lost the moral right" to speak for the whole country by endorsing an organisation that "had no role in the freedom struggle, opposed the tricolour, and worked against the idea of an equal and inclusive India."
Calling the RSS an outfit whose ideology inspired Mahatma Gandhi's assassination and which was banned three times for "spreading hate", Siddaramaiah accused it of twisting Hinduism—"a faith of diversity and tolerance"—into a narrow vision that treats those outside it as second-class citizens.
He alleged the RSS has "engineered and fuelled communal violence for decades" and "corrupted young minds through its networks."
He asked whether the prime minister did not see that its "supremacist vision denies equality, poisons harmony, and contradicts the Constitution."
"Independence Day is a time to honour those who united India," he said, alleging that "instead, PM Modi glorified a force that thrives on polarisation, collaborated with the British, and mirrors their authoritarianism."
"Our freedom was won by people of every religion, caste, and language under the tricolour. No organisation is bigger than that unity or above the Constitution. No Prime Minister can turn Independence Day into a tribute to those who divide India," he claimed.
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Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
