RSS workers take out a foot march in Bhopal on February 23, 2014.
Before a South Indian breakfast this morning, BJP lawmakers are tying a
raakhi-like thread called the
rakshasutra, on each other in a gesture that is a long-standing tradition of the party's ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh or RSS. (
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They will also take a vow to defend the country at the ceremony, being held at the Delhi home of union minister Venkaiah Naidu.
The dress code for the ceremony is a white
kurta-pyjama and the black topi or cap of the RSS.
The BJP's 322 MPs were informed via WhatsApp of the event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a first-time BJP member of the Lok Sabha, is not at Mr Naidu's residence this morning. Neither is External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. (
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The party's senior-most leader, LK Advani, smarting from being sidelined, is also not present at the event, which will be addressed by Bhaiyyaji Joshi, General Secretary of the RSS and Number 2 in the organisation. (
Also Read: Senior RSS Leader Ram Madhav to Join BJP)
A lecture from a top RSS official during a Parliament session and a day ahead of the PM's speech on Independence Day emphasizes the significant influence of the RSS on the new government.
On Sunday, Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS chief, appeared to reproach the Prime Minister when he said that the BJP's phenomenal victory in the national election was the result of the country's over-whelming desire for change, rather than the achievements of an individual. (
RSS Chief Seems to Disagree With PM Modi)
"The same individuals and the party existed earlier also. Why were not they voted to power? It is the people who wanted change and brought the party to power," he said. (
PM Modi Invites RSS Leaders for 'Dinner pe Charcha')
His comments came a day after the Prime Minister addressed a huge conclave of BJP workers in Delhi, and congratulated senior leaders Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah for fashioning the BJP's return to power. (
Amit Shah 'Man of The Match', Says PM Modi)