RSS Chief Bhagwat to Visit Manipur for First Time Since 2023 Violence
RSS Chief Bhagwat to Visit Manipur for First Time Since 2023 Violence
Mohan Bhagwat arrives in Imphal for a three-day visit tied to RSS centenary celebrations, meeting citizens, tribal leaders and entrepreneurs amid ongoing peace efforts.
Mohan Bhagwat, the head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, is set to visit Manipur from November 20 to 22 for the first time since ethnic violence erupted in 2023. The trip, arranged as part of the RSS centenary celebrations, will see Bhagwat arriving in Imphal after a three-day stay in Assam for similar commemorations. The purpose of the visit is to engage with RSS swayamsevaks, civil society groups, and key community figures as Manipur continues its path toward political stability.
During his stay, Bhagwat is expected to participate in a series of interactive sessions with prominent citizens, representatives of tribal communities, youth leaders, and local entrepreneurs. An official outlined that the itinerary includes a program at Konjeng Leikai in Imphal, where community members will have the chance to engage directly with the RSS chief. The programme is described as an internal organizational effort, rather than a relief-camp outreach, and no visits to displaced-person camps are on the schedule at this time.
The backdrop to the visit is a 2023 crisis that left around 250 people dead and thousands displaced in clashes between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. Manipur has been under President’s Rule in the past, and discussions on forming a popular government have featured prominently in state politics. Bhagwat’s trip follows his earlier call for peace in the state, underscoring the RSS’s view of culture and dialogue as tools for reconciliation.
Observers see the three-day visit as a symbolic gesture aimed at reinforcing peace efforts and civil-society engagement in a conflict-affected region. While the RSS positions itself as a cultural organization and a political ally of the BJP, the meetings are expected to focus on restoring trust among diverse communities and supporting local leaders as Imphal navigates ongoing talks about governance and development. Bhagwat’s visit will be closely watched by residents and pundits alike for any signals about how the state might move forward on peace, inclusion, and political normalization.
Cover image source: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to visit strife-torn Manipur 🔗
