The Sangh and Swaraj-Role of RSS in freedom struggle
- Part 2 -

Dr Sagolsem Kulachandra Singh *

British Watch Over RSS By 1930s, the British Govt. was worried about growing strength and expansion of RSS. In July 1932, British Govt. filed notes-A development to worry in Nagpur is the work of RSS there. Many of its leaders are involved in anti Govt. agitations. We need to keep a close watch on this organisation. (Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, Rakesh Sinha, op.cit. ibid P/145)

Government Secretary MG Hanlet issued an order on 27th January, 1933 asking the Govt to collect detailed information about RSS work (Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, Rakesh Sinha, Page 150). Seeing that RSS hadn’t bowed down to the ban and was expanding fearlessly, another notification was issued on 20th Dec.,1933 in Madhya Prant. It noted in the order that RSS was a communal organisation. Even teachers were banned from attending RSS (Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar,Rakesh Sinha, op.cit. ibid P/152)

Dr Hedgewar said, “When any act for the nation hits a hurdle and we have the ability to take it forward then we should rush forward without thinking about the party, etc.( Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar,H.N.palker P/300).

Swaraj- Complete Freedom-The Ultimate Aim of RSS.

Dr. Hedgewar’s commitment to national cause was total, whether it was revolutionary activities or Gandhian non violent agitations, he supported every patriot.

That oath that an RSS Swayamsevak took while becoming an active member of RSS during those days clearly said, “I will strive for the freedom of this Hindu Rastra, i.e. Bharat” Objective was clear -to achieve freedom. And after getting freedom, to work as pen India’s inherent nature and genius, find new ways and not copy west blindly”,Ratan Sharda , Prof.Rajendra Singh ki Jeevan yatra,Hindi,2014, Page 29 (Rajju Bhaiya the forth Sarsanghchalak.)

British Eyes on RSS

During this period, the British rules were alert and cautious about RSS. They had lept a sharp eye on every activity of Guruji. The British tried to curtail Sangh work in various ways.

A report of the Home Department shows that anti-British nature prevailing at the RSS Camp at Jabalpur where a speaker proclaimed that the aim of Sangh was to drive the British out of India and the sentiment was repeated by other speaker ,(Shridhar Damle email ,Home Department, Pol.E No.28/3/43-Pol (1))

Report dated 13 Dec.1943 shows that British Intelligence was wary of Shri Guruji’s work.It says, “ It is not possible to create a case for banning Sangh but, is equally clear that Golwalker is creating a strong organisation at a rapid pace that would obey the orders, maintaining confidential and jump into any activity of sabotage or of other type whenever required as per their leaders order. The structure of this organisation looks superficially like that of ‘Khaaksrs ’.

But, the fundamental difference between the two is that the leader of Khaaksaar , Inaayatullah is a big -mounted imbalance lunatic,while Golwaker is a very cautious, craftly and much more capable leader’. (Devendra Swaroop, Sangh Beej se Vriksha ,Hindi Prbhat Prakashan,2017 edition ,page 64).

15th August 1947 Did Not Herald Independence For All The Indians.

1) When the Congress leaders boast of gaining independence for India, they forgot two things. One, it was cumulative effect of many a factor, and supported by people of all shades of opinion under an umbrella organisation named Congress.

2) They want us to forget that when process of freedom was set in motion around 1946,Congress leaders thought their job was over and got busy with formalities of taking over the government.

When Partition was agreed upon, Congress leaders did not forsee the violent aftermath that would be unleashed. However, it does seem that they did not worry too much about it as subsequent developments show. The violet upheaval and trial of disaster left behind by the partition was handled from civil society side by RSS at a heavy cost to its swaysamsevaks and leaders .

This tragic and violent history is paid a lip service, but the onus of this tragedy and insensitive handling of victims of this violence is not put on anyone not talked about much. Naturally the yeoman service rendered by RSS is also not remembered nor RSS credited for doing what should have been a natural duty of a new government and the supposedly biggest organisation, that is Congress that had agreed to partition.

For the victims of this violence, declaration of independence was not end of a chapter but the beginning of a terrible nightmare .And in this nightmare, it was RSS that held the candle of hope.

Weakness of congress Leadership in make of Muslim league Promoted violence-

It is important to lay bare some unpalatable truths of that period. To quote Ranga Hari,”The period of `1946 to 1947 August to September was violent tragedy for India.Mohammad Ali Jinah, by now uncontested leader of Muslim League, had got a resolution passed on the 23rd March 1940 in Lahore session with the demand “Cut Hindustan into pieces and hand us over our Pakistan.”

On this other side were great Congress leaders of the time-Gandhi-Nehru -Patel. Jinnah was accepted as the official spokesperson of this community. On this side, Hindu community accepted Gandhi - Nehru - Patel triumvirate as it leaders, ignoring Hindu Maha- sabha and its leader Savarkar. There were leaders had earned the confidence of nearly the entire Hindu society.

The third actor Lord Mounbatten exploited this politics by playing the two against each other ,enjoying his power, As subsequent events would show, he was acting with clear intent of creating a permanent headache for India by subtly siding with Pakistan on issue of Kashmir”,

“In 1946 , Congess had passed a resolution that it stood for United (Akhand) Bharat, Iron man Sardar Patel had roared that “sword will be met with sword”. Jawaharlal Nehru’s pet song was ‘Pakistan is a fantastic nonsense’.

Mahatma Gandhi had written in “Harijan” on 6-4 -.1947 and 13.4.1947, “ Two nation theory is a baseless falsehood. My conscience abhors this very idea…. Division of Bharat is a scenario that is worse than anarchy. It is unbearable chopping off limbs. Cut me down before you divide Bharat”. These words had a huge impact on people .

But, Muslim League waved is green flag for Direct action’ on 16th August 1946 and Muslims butchered thousands of Hindus mercilessly, with indescribable cruelty. Congress was shaken to the core due to this act, Congress showed bankruptcy of the “Ksha-triya’ spirit of putting up a fight and not running away from battle ground.” (Guruji Golwalkar, Hindi edition, Year 2010)

RSS Swyamsevak on the Front to Save Jammu & Kashmir - “Jyoti Jala Nij Pran Ki” is a well documented book with eye witness accounts of resistance of swyamsevaks and other Hindus and atrocities of Pakistani forces in the guise of Kabaili’s (Tribals) on women. It gives town and villagers eyewitness accounts from Srinagar to Mirpur, Alibag, Kotli, Rajouri, Poonch, Skardu, Dev Batla, Udhampur, Akhnoor and Jammu.

Swyamsevaks worked hard with other villagers to prepare airstrip in Punch to helped air force and army there. They fought shoulder to shoulder with army and help it in familiarising with local geography by accompanying it in the above places.

When Pakistanis attack in Jammu & Kashmir began RSS workers fought valiantly, organised villages and towns for resistance .When Indian Army landed in Srinagar and a group was to advance to Poonch, enemy burnt down the wooden bridge. Sixty swayamsevaks went there to create a diversion within 3 hours (Kuldip Chand Agnihotri, Jammmu Kashmirki Ankahan Kahani, Hindi P.35s).

Stories about in this article is too small to give all the details but suffice to say if one were to take into account , various episodes of bravery, number of Swayamsevaks who sacrificed their, lives, the number would go to hundreds. For example Rama Krishna Dutta was eye witness to the happening in Mirpur.

Pandit Premnath Dogra Sanghachalak of Jammu- Kashmir Vibhag of RSS in 1941.

He played a key role of resistance against Pakistan agreesion. He headed Purusharthi Sahayata Samiti in 1947-48 that was organised by RSS to provide relief to displaced Hindus and Sikhs escaping from Pakistan via Jammu, Lakhanpur and West Punjab.

Pandit Dogra parishad that struggled hard for complete accession of J&K with India and fought against two flags, two Constitutions under Article 370. This agitation was hugely successful in Jammu and held full RSS Support. (Kuldip Chand Agnihotri, Jammu & Kashmir ki Ankahani Kahani,Hindi,P35) On Octobr 5th 1947, Pattan

Concluded .....