Amit Shah Turns RSS Link into BJP’s Badge of Honor

Paromita Das

New Delhi, 27th August: As the political debate intensifies ahead of the vice-presidential elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has once again emerged as the BJP’s most forceful defender of ideological clarity. In a sharp and calculated response, Shah not only dismissed the opposition’s criticism of CP Radhakrishnan’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) background but also used the moment to reframe the national discourse around democratic accountability. His message was direct: RSS is not a liability, but a legacy of nation-building, and far from protecting political power at any cost, the NDA government is advancing reforms to uphold the integrity of democracy.

RSS: From Cultural Backbone to Leadership Nursery

Amit Shah’s defense of the RSS was both historical and personal. “The Prime Minister has a connection with RSS, I also have a connection with RSS. Has the country chosen us because we are from RSS? Is having connection with RSS a minus point?” he asked pointedly. For Shah, the RSS is not the shadowy bogey that the opposition seeks to portray, but an organization that has nurtured some of India’s tallest leaders—from Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani to Narendra Modi.

According to Shah, the RSS’s century-long dedication to social service, cultural preservation, disaster relief, and character-building has made it a nursery of disciplined and selfless leadership. By undermining the Sangh, he argued, the opposition is in effect undermining the cultural and democratic roots of Bharat itself.

CP Radhakrishnan: Experience Beyond Ideology

The NDA’s vice-presidential pick, CP Radhakrishnan, stands as the embodiment of that tradition. With decades of political service behind him, Radhakrishnan is not a symbolic choice but a seasoned leader. A two-time MP from Coimbatore, a former BJP state president in Tamil Nadu, and a Governor with stints in Jharkhand, Telangana, Puducherry, and currently Maharashtra, his career illustrates a blend of administrative maturity and public service.

Shah brushed aside speculation that his nomination was merely a southern outreach strategy. Instead, he framed it as a recognition of Radhakrishnan’s integrity and contribution. Choosing a vice-presidential candidate from Tamil Nadu, he added, also complements India’s federal spirit: the President from the East, the Prime Minister representing the North and West, and now the Vice President from the South.

The 130th Constitutional Amendment: A New Standard of Accountability

Beyond defending the RSS, Shah used the occasion to highlight a reform with profound implications for Bharatiya democracy—the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill. The proposed law mandates that any Chief Minister, Union Minister, or even the Prime Minister, if jailed for more than 30 days on charges carrying a minimum five-year sentence, must resign from office.

“This is not about destabilizing governments, it is about upholding the dignity of democracy,” Shah said. His argument was blunt: leaders cannot run governments from behind bars, nor can bureaucrats be expected to report to a jailed politician.

What makes this reform politically striking is that it applies to the Prime Minister himself. Shah contrasted it with Indira Gandhi’s 39th Amendment, which sought to shield the Prime Minister from judicial scrutiny during the Emergency. By applying the law even to Modi’s office, Shah argued, the NDA has demonstrated its intent to protect democracy, not power.

Opposition Resistance and the Politics of Disruption

Predictably, the opposition has branded the reform as a “black law,” stalling discussions in Parliament. Shah, however, accused them of hypocrisy, pointing out that many opposition leaders face corruption cases and fear the law’s consequences.

“Every party can give its opinion; every MP can vote according to conscience. But is it democratic to not even allow a bill to be tabled?” Shah asked, calling the obstruction a betrayal of Parliament’s very purpose. For him, the refusal to debate reflects not democratic spirit, but fear of accountability.

A Political Gamble with Long-Term Stakes

Shah’s intervention signals two important shifts. First, by elevating CP Radhakrishnan, the NDA is attempting to blend ideological roots with regional inclusiveness. The choice strengthens BJP’s southern outreach while reinforcing its narrative that RSS leaders bring tested governance, not sectarian baggage.

Second, the 130th Amendment represents a bold gamble. It sets a new standard of accountability for political leaders but also opens the government to accusations of weaponising law against rivals. In the short term, the opposition will continue to resist, but if implemented fairly, this reform could reshape Bharatiya democracy by ensuring no leader remains above the law.

RSS Roots as a Foundation, Not a Flaw

Amit Shah’s remarks have reframed the debate on two fronts. On the question of ideology, he positioned the RSS not as a liability but as India’s cultural backbone that has consistently produced leaders committed to service and integrity. On the question of reform, he placed the NDA on higher democratic ground, contrasting its willingness to hold even the Prime Minister accountable with the dynastic politics of the past.

For millions of Bharatiya, Shah’s message resonated: leadership drawn from the RSS is not a weakness, but a foundation of trust. And governance that demands accountability, even from its highest office, is not political opportunism but democratic necessity.

As Bharat heads into another phase of political contest, the battle lines are clear—between an opposition that thrives on disruption and a ruling dispensation determined to define accountability as the new normal.