AHMEDABAD: In a notable turn of events, Dr. Pravin Togadia, a once-influential Hindutva hardliner who had distanced himself from the Sangh Parivar after stepping down as the international working president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), visited the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters on October 12 after a six-year gap.
During this visit, Togadia engaged in extensive discussions with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, addressing a wide range of issues, including Hindutva, women’s empowerment, and other critical national concerns.
In an exclusive interview with TNIE, Dr. Togadia remarked, “Both the RSS chief and I felt it was time to meet, so we did in Nagpur on Dussehra. There was no intermediary, specific reason, or political agenda behind our meeting. The RSS and I have been working on the same issues. Our discussions were in-depth, particularly regarding Hindutva and the condition of Hindus in Bangladesh.”
He further noted that besides Hindutva, they also discussed women’s safety and initiatives to empower women to become strong and independent citizens. “We touched on health-related matters and other national issues. Since both our organizations and the RSS are focused on Hindutva, there is room for collaboration on certain fronts in the future,” Togadia added.
Speaking on the Ram temple issue, Togadia mentioned that he congratulated the Sangh chief on the significant progress made in the temple’s construction, emphasizing that it has played a vital role in uniting the Hindu community, which had previously been divided along caste lines.
Regarding his recent encounter with a senior Union minister, Togadia clarified, “Yes, I attended a Dussehra event where we crossed paths, but the meeting wasn’t political. Since my departure from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, I haven’t been in touch with any leaders or activists from the government or the organization. However, my connections with them span over 40 years, so naturally, when we meet, there’s plenty to talk about.”
Pravin Togadia, an Ahmedabad-based cancer surgeon and prominent Hindutva leader, has had a complex and often strained relationship with the RSS and its affiliated organizations over the years.
A former swayamsevak in Ahmedabad, Togadia was inducted into the VHP in 1983, while Narendra Modi joined the BJP in 1984. Both played key roles during the BJP’s rise to power in Gujarat in 1995. When rebel BJP leader Shankersinh Vaghela became Chief Minister with Congress support, Togadia was jailed for allegedly assaulting BJP politicians—Modi actively campaigned for his release.
Togadia, who later became the VHP General Secretary, was a strong supporter of Modi during his sidelining by Keshubhai Patel, playing a key role in helping him become Gujarat’s Chief Minister in 2001. Togadia’s influence reached into Modi’s government, with his ally Gordhan Zadafia appointed as Minister of State for Home.
At one point, Togadia even proclaimed the government as the dawn of a “Hindu Rashtra.” However, following Modi’s election victory in 2002, Togadia’s influence diminished as Modi distanced himself, replacing Zadafia and reducing the VHP’s influence in Gujarat, particularly during his second term, where he took actions against VHP activists. In response, Togadia ridiculed Modi’s efforts to engage with Muslims through his Sadbhavana initiatives.
In 2018, Pravin Togadia parted ways with the Sangh Parivar after a significant leadership change within the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The election of former Himachal Pradesh Governor V.S. Kokje as VHP’s international president marked the end of Togadia’s long-standing dominance.
His chosen successor, incumbent Raghava Reddy, faced a major defeat in the first election in 52 years. After more than three decades with the VHP, during which he served as international working president since 2011, Togadia saw his influence wane as Kokje took over the leadership.
Following his split from the RSS, Pravin Togadia founded the Antarashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP), where he currently serves as president. Under his leadership, the organization has established a presence in several states across India.
Source: msn
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