Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde paid a visit to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur on Thursday, expressing pride in his childhood association with the RSS Shakha. Shinde emphasized the Sangh Parivar’s unifying role in society and highlighted its commitment to the nation over the past century.
Accompanied by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with several ministers and MLAs, Shinde paid homage to RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and his successor, Madhav S. Golwalkar, at the RSS Smruti Mandir, where their memorials are housed. Shinde spoke about the ideological alignment between Shiv Sena and the Sangh Parivar, emphasizing their shared values and the long-standing dedication of the RSS to national service.
“For 100 years, the Sangh has worked tirelessly for the nation. Whether in times of calamity or peace, the Sangh is always present. It is a force that unites, never divides,” Shinde remarked. He also noted that anyone committed to unbiased social service should connect with the Sangh, a call that echoed the shared values between the Shiv Sena and the RSS.
Shinde reminisced about his early involvement with the RSS, recalling how his journey began at the Shakha before joining Shiv Sena under the influence of Balasaheb Thackeray and Anand Dighe. He called the RSS Smruti Mandir a “holy place” that inspires energy and motivation, adding that the spirit of selfless service was something all should learn from the Sangh.
In addition to Shinde, the delegation included Speaker Rahul Narwekar, Deputy Chairperson of the State Council Neelam Gorhe, and members of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and BJP. Deepak Tamshettiwar, Vidarbha’s prant pracharak, and other Sangh leaders welcomed them and provided insights into the ongoing work of the RSS.
Notably, NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was absent from the visit. However, two NCP legislators, Raj Kumar Badole and Raju Manikrao Karemore, attended the memorial. Karemore described his visit as a personal tribute to the RSS founders, noting that while he had received a message from BJP representatives encouraging allied party members to attend, there was no formal directive from his party.
This visit is part of the tradition where BJP MLAs and ministers visit the RSS headquarters during the winter session of the state legislature. Since their split from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena in 2022, members of the Shinde faction have also joined these visits.
 headquarters in Nagpur on Thursday, expressing pride in his childhood association with the RSS Shakha. Shinde emphasized the Sangh Parivar's unifying role in society and highlighted its commitment to the nation over the past century.){kind=link}