RSS Invites Ex-Indira Gandhi-Era Minister and Bastar Tribal Leader Arvind Netam as Chief Guest

GG News Bureau
Nagpur, 2nd June: In a move that has caught many by surprise, Arvind Netam, a respected tribal leader from Bastar and former minister in the government of Indira Gandhi, has been invited as the chief guest by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The event will take place on June 5, 2025, at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, as part of their annual training camp called the ‘Karyakarta Vikas Varg 2’.

Netam, who has long been a prominent voice for tribal rights in Chhattisgarh, recently founded the ‘Hamar Raj Party’ after leaving Congress in 2023. His invitation by the RSS is seen as an effort by the organization to highlight tribal issues and strengthen ties with indigenous communities.

Speaking about the invitation, Netam described it as an important opportunity to bring tribal perspectives to the forefront and bridge social divides. He emphasized that his participation is purely as a tribal representative, not as a political figure.

The news has stirred the political waters in Chhattisgarh, where Netam has been regarded as a veteran Congress leader. While some opposition leaders expressed concern, others view this as a potential shift in political alliances.

This event also draws parallels to when former President Pranab Mukherjee attended an RSS function as chief guest in 2018, which had sparked controversy within Congress at that time.