December 12 is set to be not only historic but also politically significant in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat will appear together on the same stage. Their presence at two major events linked to the Savarkar Smriti is being viewed as a signal of strong bonding between the RSS and the BJP.
Unveiling of Veer Savarkar’s Statue
At 2:30 PM, a statue of Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar will be unveiled at Byodanabad Public Garden (Shri Vijaypuram) in South Andaman. During the unveiling, Savarkar’s ideas and his revolutionary contributions will be remembered. The event is being held on the very land where Savarkar once endured the sentence of Kala Pani (Cellular Jail).
115 Years of ‘Sagara Pran Talamalala’: Enthusiasm at the Cultural Event
At 3:15 PM, a cultural programme will be held at the Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Auditorium (Shri Vijaypuram) to mark 115 years of Savarkar’s famous poem Sagara Pran Talamalala. Written in 1909 inside the Cellular Jail, the poem is considered a sensitive expression of Savarkar’s emotions and his longing for the motherland.
Several prominent personalities will attend the programme, including Union Minister Ashish Shelar, renowned composer Hridaynath Mangeshkar, actor Randeep Hooda, and historian Vikram Sampath.
A Message to Those Questioning BJP–RSS Relations
In recent times, certain political circles—particularly a specific section—had been fuelling discussions about alleged tensions and rifts between the RSS and the BJP leadership. Some claimed there was a chill between the two; others attributed it to differing strategic priorities. A few political commentators even suggested that the RSS chief was ‘unhappy’.
However, with Amit Shah and Mohan Bhagwat appearing together on the same stage today, this group will be the most disappointed as their narrative collapses.
According to political analysts, “Amit Shah and Mohan Bhagwat sharing the stage sends a strong message that the coordination between the RSS and the BJP remains as robust as ever.” Those who tried to build a narrative of ‘differences’ or ‘distance’ between the two organisations will undoubtedly find today’s images to be a setback.
Also Read: Remembering Madam Bhikaji Cama Who Brought Savarkar’s Words Back to India & Raised Tricolour Abroad
Wider Significance of Bhagwat and Shah’s Programmes
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is on a four-day tour of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands—his first visit there since becoming Sarsanghchalak. Amit Shah has also arrived here for the second time since January 2023. Both leaders will participate together in several events organised in honour of Savarkar, a development that is being interpreted as a reaffirmation of ideological unity and organisational alignment.