RSS Shakhas Rise In Central Bengal Between 2023 And 2025; Will This Help BJP Ahead Of 2026 Polls?
RSS has three divisions in Bengal: Uttar Banga Pranta, Madhya Banga Pranta, and Dakhin Banga Pranta. Uttar Banga Pranta includes the districts of North Bengal, Madhya Banga Pranta comprises the Central Bengal districts and Dakhin Banga Pranta covers South Bengal.
There has been a significant increase in the number of RSS Shakhas in Madhya Banga Pranta of Bengal, with an addition of 500 new Shakhas between 2023 and 2025. This growth is seen as substantial by RSS insiders.
RSS has three divisions in Bengal: Uttar Banga Pranta, Madhya Banga Pranta, and Dakhin Banga Pranta. Uttar Banga Pranta includes the districts of North Bengal, Madhya Banga Pranta comprises the Central Bengal districts like East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Birbhum, Bankura, Murshidabad and Puruliya, and Dakhin Banga Pranta covers the districts of South Bengal.
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Data reveals that there has been a notable rise in shakha numbers across all regions of Bengal, with Madhya Banga Pranta leading the growth. In Uttar Banga Pranta, the total number of Sthans, Shakhas, Milans, and Mandalis was 1,034 in 2023, which increased to 1,041 in 2024 and reached 1,153 by 2025. In Madhya Banga Pranta, the count was 1,320 in March 2023 and surged to 1,823 by 2025. Similarly, in Dakhin Banga Pranta, the numbers rose from 1,206 in 2023 to 1,564 in 2025.
Seeing the remarkable growth in Madhya Banga Pranta, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat conducted an open meeting in Burdwan – part of Madhya Banga – during his 11-day stay in Bengal in February.
BJP insiders believe that the increase in Shakha numbers will have political implications. Jishnu Basu, Purba Khethra Prachar Pramukh, highlighted the hard work of the shakha of Madhya Banga, which was previously part of Dakhin Banga. He commended their efforts in organising small group meetings and rallies.
Madhya Banga includes districts like East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Birbhum, Bankura, and Puruliya, where BJP performed well in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections but not as well in 2024. It remains to be seen if the rise in RSS Shakha numbers will impact future political outcomes.
In political circles, it is noted that RSS has played a significant role in states like Haryana, Delhi, and Maharashtra, and now aims to make a similar impact in Bengal. The growth in Shakha numbers is seen as a positive sign for RSS followers.
Decisions made at the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha in Bengaluru will be implemented across regions. RSS has condemned attacks on minorities in Bangladesh and plans to campaign on this issue in India, which could influence Bengal, where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has called for participation in the organisation to better understand it. RSS Madhya Banga Pranta Prachar Pramukh Sushavan Mukherjee said, “The atmosphere all around is compelling people to come back to the origins of Hindutva. That’s why, more people are coming to Shakhas."
The BJP is also highlighting demographic changes in Bengal as a significant concern, with Jishnu Basu noting the decreasing Hindu population in certain border areas like North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas. He emphasised the need for Hindu unity in these regions.
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