Mohan Bhagwat: The Man, the Mission, and Why He Faces Ideological Attacks from Congress, PFI, and SIMI

Mohan Bhagwat, the sixth Sarsanghchalak (Chief) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is one of the most influential ideological figures in contemporary India. Known for his quiet authority, sharp intellect, and strategic vision, Bhagwat embodies the philosophical nucleus of the Hindutva movement—a civilizational revival aimed at redefining India’s cultural identity.

However, with influence comes intense resistance. Over the years, Bhagwat has found himself at the receiving end of harsh criticism, ideological attacks, and even assassination plots from multiple fronts—radical Islamist groups like the Popular Front of India (PFI) and SIMI, as well as political rivals, particularly elements within the Congress party.

Recent revelations—including the PFI’s hit list and claims from a retired ATS officer that he was instructed to arrest Bhagwat during the Malegaon blast probe—have reignited debate around why so many groups have tried to neutralize or discredit him. Understanding this requires diving into Bhagwat’s rise, the RSS’s ideological position, and the power struggle playing out in India’s sociopolitical theatre.

Who Is Mohan Bhagwat?

Born in 1950 in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, Bhagwat hails from a staunchly RSS-affiliated family. His father was a prant pracharak (regional organizer) and secretary to RSS founder M.S. Golwalkar. Bhagwat studied veterinary science but chose to become a full-time RSS pracharak in the 1970s.

By the late 1990s and early 2000s, he had already become one of the most influential second-rung leaders. From 2000 to 2009, Bhagwat served as Sarkaryavah (General Secretary)—the RSS’s powerful executive head, responsible for daily operations and ideological direction. In 2009, after K.S. Sudarshan stepped down, Bhagwat was unanimously elevated as the Sarsanghchalak, becoming the youngest to hold the post.

Why Is Bhagwat Seen as a Threat by Many?

Unlike his predecessors who kept a distance from political discourse, Bhagwat has redefined the RSS’s role in public life:

  • He has deepened ties with the BJP and shaped its ideological coherence.
  • Promoted Dalit outreach, tribal engagement, and even LGBTQ inclusion within RSS thought.
  • Advocated for population balance, national security, cultural nationalism, and temple restoration.
  • Inspired a grassroots movement that transcends caste, region, and economic class.

To his supporters, Bhagwat is a civilizational renaissance leader. But to his critics—particularly those pushing pan-Islamism, leftist secularism, or minority appeasement politics—he is a powerful disruptor of their long-held narratives.

Malegaon 2008: A Case Politicized?

On 29 September 2008, a bomb blast in Malegaon killed six people and injured many. Initial suspicion fell on Islamist groups, but the Maharashtra ATS—under the Congress-led UPA government—suddenly shifted focus to Hindu nationalist groups, arresting Lt. Col. Purohit, Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, and others linked to Abhinav Bharat.

The term “saffron terror” began dominating the national discourse.

However, in July 2025, a special NIA court acquitted all the accused, citing lack of evidence and procedural lapses. But even more explosively, a retired ATS officer, Mehiboob Mujawar, told the court that he was instructed to arrest Mohan Bhagwat, despite there being no legal justification.

The Timeline Puzzle: How Could Bhagwat Be Targeted in 2008 If He Became Chief in 2009?

This is a critical question—and the answer reveals the strategic nature of the alleged move.

Though Bhagwat formally became RSS Chief in March 2009, he was already Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) in 2008—the second most powerful man in the RSS and widely regarded as the heir apparent to K.S. Sudarshan.

At the time:

  • He was the chief operational and ideological planner.
  • He had significant influence across shakhas (local units), sangh parivar organizations, and BJP strategy.
  • Arresting him in late 2008 would have derailed the RSS’s leadership succession, discredited the organization, and possibly shattered its unity.

So, if the ATS officer’s claim is true, it wasn’t just about linking him to terror—it was a calculated attempt to prevent his rise by preemptively discrediting him at a moment of vulnerability for the Sangh.

PFI Hit List: Bhagwat Marked as Enemy No. 1

The Popular Front of India (PFI)—now banned—was known for its extremist, pan-Islamist ideology and violent campaigns. In multiple raids by the NIA and ED between 2020–2022, security agencies found hit lists and targeted plans for assassinations.

Bhagwat’s name allegedly appeared on these lists, alongside other nationalist leaders.

PFI viewed Bhagwat not just as an ideological opponent but a civilizational threat. His calls for protecting Hindu culture, preventing illegal conversions, and confronting radicalism directly clashed with PFI’s Islamic expansionist aims.

PFI’s predecessor, SIMI, also had a similar ideological outlook. SIMI called for an Islamic caliphate and declared democracy and nationalism as anti-Islamic. Naturally, Bhagwat and the RSS were seen as obstacles to their agenda.

Congress and the “Saffron Terror” Narrative

During the UPA era (2004–2014), several Congress leaders—including P. Chidambaram, Digvijaya Singh, and Sushilkumar Shinde—repeatedly used the term “saffron terror” to suggest that Hindu nationalist groups were engaging in terror activities.

The Malegaon case became the backbone of this narrative. Some allege that the then government tried to build a parallel narrative to Islamist terror, especially after failures like 26/11.

By allegedly trying to implicate Mohan Bhagwat, Congress may have aimed to:

  • Damage the RSS’s moral authority.
  • Create panic within the Sangh before 2009 elections.
  • Prove ideological parity between Islamic and Hindu extremism, despite lacking evidence.

Though never officially named in the case, the fact that a serving ATS officer claims he was told to arrest Bhagwat shows how far political forces may have gone to discredit Hindutva leadership.

Bhagwat’s Security and Resilience

Due to repeated threats, Bhagwat is protected under Z+ security—India’s highest level. Despite this, he continues to travel, address gatherings, and remain accessible to grassroots volunteers.

What makes Bhagwat unique is that he doesn’t hold political office and yet shapes political consciousness. His power stems from influence, not position. He doesn’t need a ballot to impact Bharat.

Conclusion: Why So Many Want to Silence Bhagwat

Mohan Bhagwat is not merely a man—he represents an idea: Bharatiya identity rooted in Dharma, unity, and self-respect. He stands in direct opposition to:

  • Islamist radicalism that seeks to fragment India through Sharia-based separatism.
  • Left-liberal secularism that treats Hindu identity as regressive.
  • Dynastic politics, where ideology is often secondary to electoral arithmetic.

Groups like PFI, SIMI, and political entities like Congress, view him as the ideological engine behind the current political and cultural shift in India.

Whether through false accusations, smear campaigns, or assassination plots, the attempt to eliminate Bhagwat—physically or ideologically—is ultimately an effort to stop India’s civilizational awakening.

But as history shows, ideas rooted in truth and service are hard to kill.

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