The Sangh and Swaraj-Role of RSS in freedom struggle
- Part 1 -

Dr Sagolsem Kulachandra Singh *

Kindly recall the article “Where were Sangh leaders during freedom struggle”.-MPCC -Vice President and Spokesperson Mr Hareshwar Goswami published on the Sangai Express dated 20 Sept. 2022. I feel very pity that by holding such high post of an All India Political Party who has no basic idea of India’s freedom struggle.

It appears that political compulsion have made Left and so called secular parties run malicious propaganda about its role in independence struggle and its sterling records of public service in the field including wars, to create doubts in the mind of the people. There is a consensus that the Congress party of that time, an umbrella organisation for all political shades for a common cause-that is to attain freedom. There were leaders who led other organisations and other political groups also even as they remained leaders of Congress.

Three major non-violent movements for freedom were launched under Gandhiji’s leadership in 1921, 1930 and 1942. There is no doubt that Gandhiji’s biggest contribution was to involve common men and women in the freedom struggle in a simple and easily understandable form. Millions got involved in this struggle because of this innovative approach.

Dr Hedgewar, RSS founder took part in each of these movements when he was a Congress leader and even later after he had founded RSS. He died in 1940. A large number of RSS swayamsevaks and leaders took an active part in 1942 Quit India movement too. They participated as common citizens, as per the guidelines laid down by Dr Hedgewar.

Another important aspect of the Indian Independence struggle that was fought over a long period was the armed revolt by many patriots. Beginning from 1857, followed by Chapheka brothers, Birsa Munda, Rani Gaidinlu, Allwis Sitaraman Raju, Savarkar, Chandrashekher Azad, Bhagat Singh, Madanlal Dhingra, Rasahbehari Bose to Shubas Chandra Bose and his Indian National Army (INA), we have a virtual roll of honour of hundreds of such dare devil freedom fighters.

It was an ironical face saving excuse since Congress itself did not have a written Constitution for 15 years after its foundation. Various reference to this period established that the ban was more out of jealousy for a highly popular organisation. This fear of the rise of a popular political alternative was sign of irrational thinking because Shri Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, aka Shri Guruji, the second RSS Sarsanghachalak, had time and again reiterated that RSS had no interest in becoming a political party.

Persecution of RSS by the Congress party had begun months before Gandhiji assassination at the peak of relief work being done by RSS for the unfortunate citizens of Bharat who were supported very poorly by the Government in the wake of partition.

RSS cadre had not been too keen about proper documentation since the beginning. However, lot of attention is being paid now to this important aspect. Reason for this lack of documentation could be that Dr Hedgewar and his successor Shri Guruji were strictly adverse to publicising RSS worker projecting themselves. They said “We should be prasidhi paraangmukh”, that is keep away from publicity; and work silently for the society and motherland.

Dr Hedgewar-A Patriot and a Freedom Fighter-His agitation while he was in Matric (SSC of today) in Neil City school is noteworthy. In 1906 he organised students of his school secretly to raise the slogan of ‘Vande Mataram’ when the school Inspector came to the school.

When the Inspector threatened action the agitation intensified with boycotting the class .Ultimately he himself came into open as he did not want his friends to suffer. He was dismissed from that school. (Dr. Hedgewar NH. Palkar, Marathi 5th edition, 2000 pages 21-22.)

After he finished his doctor’s degree he returned to Nagpur to pursue his dream of freeing India. Dr KB Hedgewar-a committed Congress party member -Dr Hedgewar was joint organiser of the National session of the Indian National Congress in 1920 in Nagpur along with Dr Hardikar. They recruited about 1,200 volunteers for the purpose.

Dr Hedgewar was the Joint Secretary of Nagpur Branch of the Indian National Congress at that time. He did such a wonderful job that his stature in the party and his following rose sharply. Dr Hedgewar had presented a resolution to the resolution committee, of which he was a member that demanded “Complete Freedom”. It was rejected by the committee.

The proposed resolution said “Goal of Congress is to achieve complete freedom and establishing Indian republic and to liberate other Nations of the world from exploitation and atrocities of capitalist imperialism.” (Dr KB Hedgewar, Rakesh Sinha, Page 79).

It is noteworthy that Congress declared its resolve for complete independence only after 9 years in 1929 Lahore Conference. It shows that Dr Hedgewar was much ahead of the leaders of his times about his vision of India-not just to be an Independent country, but also help other colonized countries to gain independence from what he termed ‘Capitalist Imperialism’.

First Imprisonment

His first imprisonment was for taking part in non cooperation movement in 1921. Dr Hedgewar gave highly aggressive speeches with Dr Munje in many places. To stop him the District Collector Cyril James Irwin banned his public speaking and holding meetings for one year vide notice dated 23 February 1921 and put on trial in May 1921 for his “objectionable speeches.” His defence on 5th August was so fiery that the Judge Smelly exclaimed, “His statement of defence is more seditious than his speech”. He was given one year imprisonment on 19th August. (Dr. Manmohan Vaidya, Panchjanya 11.12.2018, page 31).

Key is Unity and Self-Sacrifice

After his release, he kept working for Congress at various levels. He was elected as Joint Secretary of the State Congress Committee in 1922. Dr Hedgewar Decision to Reform Hindu Society - Dr. Hedgewar could see that it was possible only by keeping away from politics thereby he founded Rastritya Swayamsevak Sangh in 1925 on Vijayadashin Day in a meeting with 22 colleagues of his, at his home.

Total Commitment to Complete Freedom.

In the Lahore session of All India Congress Committee in Dec 1929, Congress declared complete independence as its goal. Dr Hedgewar sent out a notification to all his RSS shakhas. “We are very happy to see that AICC has spelt out its goal very clearly, So, it is our duty to support and co-operate with this organisation. It is but natural. As a part of this duty, all shakhas should come together on the evening of 26th January, 1930 at 6 pm; salute the National flag, i.e. bhagwa flag.

Fighting for Freedom as a Citizen under Congress Umbrella: A new agitation -Non-co-operation Movement was launched in 1930 by Mahatma Gandhi in the form of ‘Dandi March’ or Salt Satyagraha. Many swayamsevaks had begun taking part in this agitation from its very inception. In Nov 1929, senior RSS workers had a 3 day long meeting to decide what should be RSS’s role in this agitation.

It was decided that RSS would give unconditional support to it. By 1929, there were Sangh shakhas in 37 villages in Vidarbha. In Wardha, there were 12 shakhas. By 1930, this number had risen to 30. Once Dr Hedgewar decided to take part in it, there was a huge backing to it from all around. (Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, Rakesh Sinha, page 105)

On 12 July, the Guru Purnima festival day in RSS shakha, Dr Hedgewar shared his decision to participate in the satyagraha and resigned as the Sarsanghchalak or Chief of the RSS, as his view was that freedom struggle must be fought under one organisation that was Congress at that time. He handed over the reins of RSS to Dr LV Paranjape.

In his speech, Dr Paranjape said, “Those who wish to participate in the agitation must do so. Others should work for this young organisation. The real work is to organise such people who will give their lives for the freedom of this Nation. (NH Palkar, up clt, page 205)

Dr Hedgewar left for Pusad on 14th July satyagraha from Nagpur. Speaking to hundreds of people who has gathered to see him off, doctorji said, “Please don’t be under the impression that this current agitation is the last battle for independence. Real battle will start after this. And be ready to jump into this coming battle fully prepared sacrifice your all. We are taking part in this satyagraha because we believe that this will take us one more step towards independence”.

Dr Hedgewar offered satyagraha in Yavatmal on 21st July. He was handed a nine-month imprisonment with hard labour. Other 11 in that batch received 4 months imprisonment (Rakesh Sinha p.209). There were 100s of swayamsevaks in Akola jail with Dr Hedgewar. Thousands of swayamsevaks offered satyagraha in other places. Many other prominent RSS leaders offered satyagrah too. Many of these names are maintained in the biography of Dr Hedgewar written by NH Palkar.

These satyagrahas by RSS swayamsevaks were also reported in Kesari newspaper dated 20, 22 July 1930 and 2nd August, 1930 (Dr Hedgewar-Rakesh Sinha) P/111. After Dr Hedgewar was imprisoned, number of satyagrahis only increased. (Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, Rakesh Sinha, P/110).

There was a hot debate going on in a meeting about who is better-Gandhi or Savarkar. Asked about his views, Dr. Hedgewar responded, “This debate is like debating whether Rose is better or Mogra (Jasmine sambae).”

To be oontinued.....