Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday, 20 October threw his weight behind Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks on regime change, asserting that a sudden overthrow of government — akin to developments in Bangladesh, Nepal, or Sri Lanka — was constitutionally and democratically impossible in India. Athawale's remarks come a day after Bhagwat, speaking from Nagpur, warned that efforts to 'dismantle' India would not succeed and that changing a regime would not automatically resolve the nation's problems.

What Athawale Said

Addressing reporters in Mumbai, Athawale said, 'I feel that Mohan Bhagwat, as the RSS chief, addressed the nation from Nagpur and shared important thoughts. He pointed out that while people in a democracy have the right to protest, trying to bring about a regime change through agitational politics, similar to what happened in Bangladesh, is simply not possible in our country.'

The minister further emphasised the constitutional safeguards that distinguish India's democratic framework. 'Here, we have Dr B.R. Ambedkar's Constitution. A sudden shift of power like what occurred in Bangladesh, Nepal or Sri Lanka cannot happen in India. In our country, political change takes place only when a party secures a mandate and a majority from voters to form the government. Protests alone cannot overturn a government,' he said.

The Bhagwat Backdrop

Bhagwat's original remarks were widely seen as a veiled reference to protest-driven political upheaval in Bangladesh, where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government was ousted in August 2024 following weeks of student-led demonstrations. The RSS chief's Nagpur address drew considerable national attention, with both ruling alliance members and opposition figures weighing in on the nature of democratic dissent versus destabilisation.

Notably, this is not the first time senior leaders aligned with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have drawn a contrast between India's constitutional democracy and the political instability witnessed in neighbouring countries. Critics, however, argue that contextualising protests as potential 'regime-change' attempts risks delegitimising lawful democratic dissent.

Athawale on India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

Separately, the Union Minister welcomed the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, describing it as a significant step towards economic cooperation. 'This agreement will help boost the economies of both nations and create employment opportunities for many unemployed individuals. Many Indians reside in New Zealand. This trade agreement holds considerable importance, and both countries stand to benefit from it,' Athawale said.

Dussehra Remarks and Dr Ambedkar's Legacy

Athawale also spoke at length about the significance of Dussehra, connecting the festival to both its Hindu cultural roots and its special importance for the Buddhist community. He noted that Dr B.R. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism on 14 October 1956 — a date that coincided with Dussehra — making the festival a day of profound pride for Buddhist communities across India. 'Dussehra is a landmark and revolutionary day,' he said, also referencing Durga Puja celebrations in West Bengal and the Navratri-Garba tradition in Mumbai, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Delhi.

Athawale's remarks underscore the NDA government's broader narrative of constitutional resilience at a time when regional political instability continues to generate debate about the durability of democratic institutions in South Asia.