Uncertainty Over Chief Justice BR Gavai's Mother's Attendance at RSS Vijayadashami Event

Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai (File).

Mumbai:

Uncertainty continues regarding Kamaltai R Gavai - mother of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai - and her attendance at an upcoming Vijayadashami function in Maharashtra's Amravati.

The event, scheduled for 6:30 pm on October 5, is being organized by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), known as the ideological foundation of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Currently, Mrs. Gavai is away from her residence with her phone switched off. Her personal assistant in Amravati has stated she will neither attend nor participate in the event.

According to RSS sources who spoke to NDTV, she had previously accepted the invitation.

Invitation cards designating her as the 'chief guest' - reportedly printed only after receiving her consent - have already been distributed.

Mrs. Gavai's apparent withdrawal has been connected to concerns about the optics of having the Chief Justice's mother attend an event organized by a group closely aligned with the federal government.

This development follows criticism of Chief Justice Gavai himself by the right-wing Vishwa Hindu Parishad over his in-court comment advising a petitioner to "pray to Lord Vishnu for the repair of his Vishnu idol." The VHP claimed this remark "mocked the Hindu faith."

While the Chief Justice later clarified his statement had been misinterpreted, the VHP continued criticizing India's most senior judge, urging him to "exercise restraint in his speech."

Notably, Mrs. Gavai's late husband, Ramkrishna S Gavai, was a Republican Party of India leader who served as Lok Sabha MP from Amravati and represented Maharashtra in the Rajya Sabha.

Mr. Gavai also served as Governor of Kerala from 2008 to 2011, with additional responsibility for Sikkim and Bihar from 2006 to 2008. He established the Ambedkar memorial at Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur district, where Dr. BR Ambedkar embraced Buddhism in 1956.

Significantly, he had accepted an RSS invitation to attend an event in 1981, where he even delivered a speech. Sources indicate Mrs. Gavai's initial acceptance of the Vijayadashami invitation was influenced by her husband's participation in that 1981 program.

Questions about Mrs. Gavai's participation intensified after a controversial letter - allegedly authored by her containing strong criticism of the RSS - began circulating on social media. However, her personal assistant has denied any connection to this letter.

Earlier, Congress leader Nitin Raut claimed he also received an invitation but declined it due to disagreements with RSS ideology.

The RSS's primary Vijayadashami event traditionally takes place at its headquarters in Nagpur, with additional events held elsewhere, including at Deekshabhoomi.

Regarding Mrs. Gavai's apparent withdrawal and Mr. Raut's reported refusal, RSS sources told NDTV that "all Indians are our own" and explained that the invitations emphasized their commitment to social harmony, represented by Indians from diverse ideological backgrounds. Sources also noted that previous events have featured speakers from various ideological perspectives.

The upcoming event holds special significance as it will feature J Nandakumar, a former Kerala journalist who is a senior member of the RSS's All India Executive Committee and national convener of the RSS front organization 'Pragya Pravah'.

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