Former CBI Director M Nageshwar Rao has entered active politics, taking charge as the National President of the Sarvajana Sanatan Party (SSP) in Kashi, Varanasi. The move marks a new chapter in his public life after nearly four decades in security, law and order, and administration.
Rao said his experience in these fields had convinced him that India's reconstruction cannot be limited to administrative reforms. He said the country needs to pursue modern development while remaining firmly connected to its civilisational roots.
SSP outlines four pillars of its vision
The Sarvajana Sanatan Party's stated vision rests on four key pillars: education, health, livelihood and civilisational reconnection.
Under education, the party seeks to connect Indian civilisation, history and knowledge traditions with modern and global-level education.
Its health vision focuses on quality and accessible healthcare for all by combining modern medicine with Indian health traditions.
On livelihoods, the party has proposed respectable opportunities for youth, farmers, artisans, labourers, small businesses and entrepreneurs.
The fourth pillar, civilisational reconnection, seeks to treat India's languages, arts, temples, pilgrimage sites, festivals, knowledge traditions, families and cultural institutions as sources of national strength.
'Sanatan' as a way of life
Rao said Sanatan, in the party's vision, is not merely a method of worship but a way of life rooted in truth, dharma, duty, compassion, justice, self-control, nature, family, society and public welfare.
He said Sanatan should be reflected not only as an electoral symbol but also through values in education, health, livelihoods, governance, culture and social life.
Rao also stressed the need to preserve temples and pilgrimage sites as living institutions of Indian civilisation rather than viewing them merely as places of worship. He called for respect, transparency and meaningful social participation in their functioning.
The party said its objective is not to return to the past, but to build a modern India while standing on its civilisational roots. It described its broader vision as an India that is technologically and economically modern without becoming disconnected from its cultural identity.
'Sanatan is not against anyone'
Rao clarified that Sanatan is not against anyone and said the party does not seek to oppose any caste or community. Its stated objective, he said, is to work for all rather than create social divisions.
Describing Kashi as the starting point of his new political chapter, Rao said India's goal should be to strike a balance between modernity and its civilisational roots.
The Sarvajana Sanatan Party has presented this as its comprehensive vision: "Modern India, with its Sanatan civilizational roots."
Rao was accompanied by Sarvajana Sanatan Party National Vice President Mahant Tirthanand, Vice President Ritu Rathod, General Secretary Raja Saksham Singh Yogi, Spokesperson Babita Sharma, Uttar Pradesh Incharge Rakesh Tiwari and Organisation Minister Narnarayan Singh.
Rao's announcement was made in Varanasi on Saturday, where he said he wanted to use his experience in security, law and order and administration for the wider good of the country and society.