Is 'Vaicharik Mahakumbh' part of Sangh Parivar's world outreach programme?

Bhopal: Two major political events await the ongoing Simhastha Kumbh festival in the holy town of Ujjain this week. On Wednesday, which is the 20th day of Kumbh, BJP national president Amit Shah will take a holy dip in the Kshipra river along with a massive gathering of Dalits and tribals.
A day later, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat will address the inauguration of the much-hyped Vaicharik Mahakumbh (ideological gathering), a three-day convention which has become a sort of cynosure of all eyes.Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak at the concluding session of the same on Saturday. This 'ideological mahakumbh' will be attended by foreign and diplomatic delegates from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Japan -- an event which political observers are terming as the Sangh Parivar's international outreach programme. Using religion as a diplomatic tool and internationalising Hindutva has been a hallmark of the Narendra Modi government since it took office in May 2014. There are instances galore: Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe getting a spiritually-charged welcome at the historic Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi amid chants of "Har Har Mahadev," Modi offering puja at the 5th century Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, then at the 12th century Dhakeshwari temple in Dhaka in July 2015, as well as visits to Buddhist temples in Kyoto in September 2014.
The Vaicharik Mahakumbh, however, has a dual edge. On one hand it is an extension of the prime minister's religious diplomacy, while on the other it is a Saffron Parivar effort at broadening its vision and approach keeping very much in mind the sprinkling of foreign attendees, say political observers.
BJP leaders, however, are being cautious. "Obviously, Narendra Modi and Mohan Bhagwat are Hindutva leaders and will address the convention," a senior BJP leader told TOI. "And while the convention discusses all issues related to Hindus both in India as well as in the neighbouring countries, the summit will also deliberate on non-political international issues like protection of the environment, empowerment of women," he added.
Rajya Sabha MP and senior RSS functionary Anil Madhav Dave, who is in charge of this ideological meet, denies there is any political or diplomatic motive behind either Amit Shah's holy dip or Mohan Bhagwat and prime minister Modi's presence at the religious summit. "Our only purpose is to make the world a more peaceful and beautiful place to live in," said Dave. "We have invited foreign delegates because we are in search of the path that can lead us to a better tomorrow. The three-day meet will not only discuss religion, it will be an intellectual and ideological exchange on environmental, social issues and even health hazards" he added.
The Congress party, however, is seeing a larger design. Pradesh Congress president and former Union minister of state Arun Yadav said, "Shah's dip is politically motivated and a well-calculated electoral strategy. The Vaicharik Mahakumbh is yet another image-building exercise of Narendra Modi, organised by the RSS." Yadav alleged that Amit Shah's holy dip with SC/STs was an attempt at damage control post RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement on reservations during the Bihar polls. "On the one hand, RSS chief wants reservations reviewed and on the other, Amit Shah takes a plunge into the Kshipra with Dalits. Why?" the Congress leader asked.
"Other than foreign diplomatic presence, there is nothing new in the ideological summit. In every Kumbh there is a 'dharm sansad' organised by sadhus and sants who discuss issues related to Hindus and Hinduism," a central BJP leader explained, adding:
"Since sadhus now have started aligning themselves to different political parties, the RSS has taken upon itself supporting such a convention."