Jairam Ramesh alleges internal rift as RSS invites Jagdeep Dhankhar

A deepening schism within the ruling establishment has surfaced following reports that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh invited former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to its upcoming Vijayadashmi event. The move comes months after Dhankhar’s abrupt resignation, an exit the opposition now characterizes as a forced departure orchestrated by top government leadership.

Editorial·October 15, 2026·reads: 1,111

Jairam Ramesh alleges internal rift as RSS invites Jagdeep Dhankhar

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed on Wednesday that the invitation to the Nagpur event reveals a widening rift between the RSS and the BJP high command. Dhankhar stepped down from the vice presidency on July 21, 2025, officially citing health concerns, yet Ramesh alleges that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah pressured him into the decision. According to the Congress MP, the former Vice President’s vocal support for farmers’ demands had become a point of friction with the government.

The political fallout surrounding the departure remains acute. Ramesh noted that the government has yet to provide Dhankhar with his entitled post-resignation housing, labeling the delay as petty. The RSS invitation for the October 20th function, a centerpiece of the organization's calendar, is being interpreted by the opposition as a deliberate signal of internal discord. Congress leaders continue to scrutinize the lack of a formal farewell in Parliament for Dhankhar, who left office two years ahead of his scheduled term.