Gandhiji and Sangh
Gandhiji and Sangh
Dr. Monmohan Vadya
(From the book “We and the World Around”, Pages: 34-39)
The poll bugle has been sounded. All the political parties are busy campaigning, delivering speeches in line with their party culture and tradition. In one such speech, a party representative commented, “This time around the voters will have to choose between Gandhi and Godse.” Through the years I have come to observe that those who are Gandhian in the true sense of the word are especially mindful of their conduct, they refrain from even uttering the name Godse. In Sangh gatherings as well Gandhiji is often discussed, but I haven’t yet come across a discussion where Godse was mentioned. It is ironic that people whose actions and policies are in direct opposition to the Mahatma’s life and legacy, who rely on deception and violence as a political weapon should insincerely use his name for petty political gains.
An editor of a news daily who also happens to be a Sangh swayamsevak shared that his daily was slated to publish articles written by a Gandhian. This editor added that the Gandhian thinker when talking about writing on the topic ‘Gandhi’s relation with Sangh’ remarked, “I am aware of the nature of the relation between Gandhi and Sangh, yet I will write about some other aspects which are unknown to many. Upon hearing this my response was “Does this thinker really know what Gandhiji’s relationship with Sangh was like!?” Like with most aspects of Sangh, when it comes to RSS’ relationship with Gandhiji, people often make presumptions without the requisite examination of facts. Even the so-called scholars rarely attempt a holistic study of the subject before writing their commentary. More often than not their study is picky drawing from material authored with a specific ideological perspective. The fact of the matter is that in most cases these thoughts are far from the ‘truth.
Regardless of the strong contention with certain opinions of Gandhiji, what sort of relationship Sangh and Gandhiji shared requires some serious clarification in light of the literature available on the subject. Even though RSS is steadfast in its belief that it was not wise of Gandhiji to surrender to the extremist and Jihadi elements among the Muslim community, RSS has also greatly admired and appreciated his ingenious efforts to broaden public support for Bharat’s freedom struggle. The introduction of simple means like the Charakha (weaver’s spinning wheel) and a foolproof method like the satyagraha (insistence on truth) clearly resonated with the common man and connected the masses to the ongoing freedom movement. These achievements are obvious demonstrations of his greatness. If one is perceptive then one cannot deny Gandhiji’s contribution through his insistence on constructive programmes like Gram Swaraj, Swadeshi, cow protection and abolition of untouchability among many others. His affinity and perseverance for the eternal Hindu thought are invaluable. His own virtuous life inspired many young people to vow their lives in the service of the nation.
Dr. Hedgewar, the founder of RSS, participated in the Non-cooperation Movement of 1921 and the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930 under the leadership of Gandhiji. For his involvement, he served two rigorous prison sentences, from August 19, 1921, to July 12, 1922, and then again from July 21, 1930, to February 14, 1931, respectively.
On March 18, 1922, Mahatma Gandhiji was sentenced to a six-year imprisonment. From then on the 18th of every month was celebrated as ‘Gandhi Day. Whilst Gandhiji was in prison, some of his self-professed followers were serving their own interests in the name of patriotism. Dr. Hedgewar flagged this discrepancy in his speech on the Gandhi Day of October 18, 1922, by saying “This day is extremely auspicious. It is time to listen and mull over the values and qualities found in the life of a noble soul like Mahatmaji. Those who are proud of being his followers have an additional responsibility to emulate the qualities championed by him.”
In 1934, when residing at Jamnalal Bajaj’s residence in Wardha, Gandhiji learnt about an ongoing RSS Winter Camp, which was being conducted nearby. Curious to witness the camp in person, Gandhiji reached the campsite where he was warmly welcomed by the organisers, and many swayamsevaks present there engaged in a dialogue with him. Through those conversations, he learnt that swayamsevaks from the Scheduled Castes were also participants of the camp and that everyone there mingled with each other with a sense of kinship. No discrimination was observed among the swayamsevaks present. Learning this fact deeply gratified him and he openly expressed his happiness about it. After independence when Gandhiji was an RSS morning shakha used to be conducted on the ground right in front staying in Delhi, in what was then called ‘Bhangi Colony (sweeper’s colony of his residence. On September 16, 1947, upon Gandhiji’s request, more than 500 swayamsevaks holding mandal-level responsibilities assembled there to hear Gandhiji’s address. He started his address with these words “I had visited the RSS camp years ago in Wardha. At that time the founder was alive. The late Shri Jamnalal Bajaj ji had taken me to Shri Hedgewar the camp, and I was impressed by their rigorous discipline, the complete absence of untouchability and simplicity. Since then the Sangh has grown. I have always believed that any organisation which is inspired by the ideal of service and self-sacrifice is bound to grow in strength.” (Published in the Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, vol. 89, pp.193-94)
On January 30, 1948, RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Guruji was in Madras when he got the news of Gandhiji’s assassination, he sent a condolence telegram to Shri Devdas Gandhi (Gandhiji’s son), Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Shri Vallabhbhai Patel. In that message, Guruji wrote “Shocked at the news of the fatal cruel attack and tragic loss of the greatest personality. The country’s loss is unbounded in these critical times. God help shoulder responsibilities that have grown heavier and fill the void caused by the loss of an incomparable unifier.”
Shri Guruji issued instructions to all swayamsevaks of RSS to suspend all activities for 13 days in memory of Mahatma Gandhi and immediately concluded his journey and returned to Nagpur. On January 31, 1948, he wrote a letter to the prime minister and the home minister, saying, “Yesterday at Madras I heard the shocking news that some thoughtless perverted soul has committed the heinous act of putting a sudden and ghastly end to the life of Poojya Mahatmaji by a bullet. This vile act is a blot on our society in the eyes of the world.” This entire correspondence is available in the book Justice on Trial and Complete Works of Sri Guruji.
Later on October 6, 1969, on the occasion of the birth centenary of Mahatma Gandhi, a statue of Gandhiji was unveiled by Shri Guruji in Sangli, Maharashtra. There in his address, he said, “We have congregated here on an important and a pious occasion. 100 years ago, on this day, a child was born in Saurashtra. Several other children would have taken birth on that day, but we don’t celebrate their birth centenaries. Mahatma Gandhi was born like any other common man, but he attained the status of a great man due to his deeds and the love in his conscience. We should mould our lives along the lines of his life ideals. We should try and emulate his life as much as we can.” He further said, “Mahatma Gandhi turned dust into gold, bringing out the extraordinary in ordinary men. This was the reason why Britishers had to leave. Mahatma ji used to say, “I am a hardcore Hindu; therefore I love every manifestation of life and not only humans.” The primacy that satya (truth) and ahimsa (non-violence) held in his life and political ideology accrued to his adherence to staunch Hindutva only. The ‘Hindu Dharma which we often discuss today, his thoughts on the destiny of this dharma have been expressed under the title, ‘Future of Hinduism. He writes, “Hindu Dharma is the one that does not stop, which grows with persistence and is a path for the enquiry of Truth. Today this dharma appears worn out, incapable of inspiring progression within us. This is because we are fatigued, not the dharma. The moment we will emerge from this lassitude will be the moment of a grand eruption of Hindu Dharma, unlike anything that has ever happened in the past-so large in magnitude that Hindu Dharma will be glowing in its own lustre in the whole world.” It is our responsibility to fulfil this prophecy of Mahatma ji.
“The country needs political and economic freedom. Likewise, there is a need for religious freedom as well that no one shall disrespect anyone and people from different sects and religions can live together. There should also be freedom from the shackles of foreign thoughts. This is the essence of the preachings of Gandhiji. I have met Gandhiji several times. I have also had discussions with him. What I have said is my analysis after deliberating upon the thoughts expressed by him. Therefore, owing to the realisation of my conscience, I feel great respect for Gandhiji.”
Guruji says, “My last meeting with Mahatma ji was in 1947. Having secured the reins of the government, political leaders were ecstatic. At the same time, riots had broken out in Delhi. Even those who were non-violent by tradition had become cruel, roguish and heartless. At that time I was in the same area, working to establish peace. Home Minister Sardar Patel was also trying to do the same, and to some extent he even accomplished it.
In the backdrop of this scenario, I happened to meet with Mahatma Gandhiji. Mahatma ii said, “See, what is going on?” I replied, “This is our In the backdrop of this scenario, I happened to meet with Mahatma misfortune. The British would say, when we leave, you people will slit each other’s throats. Today, in reality, the same is happening. It is bringing us disrepute in the whole world. It should be stopped.” That day in the evening prayer, Gandhiji illustrated my name using glorious adjectives and put my thoughts before the gathering, pleading for immediate action to stop acts that brought ignominy to the country. I was fortunate that the Mahatma personally honoured me by illustrating my name. These affiliations compel me to reiterate that we must all strive to emulate Gandhiji.
“If we act on Mahatma ji’s thoughts we shall reawaken the great Hindu Dharma that imparts such lessons. Without dharma, human society will be like a society of animals, destroying each other. By awakening Hindu Dharma, its best qualities shall be entrenched in every individual of the society. We will have to decide that we will stand on the world stage as an ideal society, as a loving, harmonious country, that’s why I keep expressing my feelings towards a venerable personality like Mahatma ji.” (For further reference, refer Complete Works of Shri Guru ji, vol. 1, pp. 208-21.)
When I was a pracharak in Vadodara (1987-90), I attended a lecture by Sah-Sarkaryawah Shri Yadavrao Joshi who talked about Gandhiji in highly reverential words. Later a karyakarta quizzed Yadavrao ji if he really spoke from the depths of his heart and actually meant all the reverential words he spoke to honour the memory of Mahatma Gandhiji. To which Yadavrao ji said, “I am not a political leader, so I do not say anything that I do not believe in my heart. Respecting someone does not imply blindly agreeing with all of their opinions, but to commemorate and idealise his special qualities.” He further elaborated on his explanation to the inquisitive swayamsevak with an example of Bhishma Pitamah of Mahabharata. He said, “Bhishma is remembered for his strong commitment to the vows he had taken and not for his silence at the time when Draupadi was insulted by the Kauravas in the assembly. Similarly, despite a strong disagreement with Gandhiji’s approach towards the fundamentalist and Jihadi Muslim leadership, his contribution in taking the freedom struggle to the common people, his ability to ignite the flame of disobedience in the common man’s psyche, thereby infecting them with the desire for freedom, his insistence on many issues which are based in Bharatiya view of life, the embodiment of public outrage in the form of satyagraha – these contributions are both commendable and inspirational.”
Commenting on the relationship of Gandhiji and Sangh without considering these facts is a disservice to the truth and absolutely undesirable. Sangh is carrying forward and embodying Gandhiji’s ideals through its work on rural development, organic farming, cow conservation and protection, social equality and harmony, imparting education in one’s own language, swadeshi economy and lifestyle and will continue to do so. That is more than can be said for those who only remember him when elections are around the corner.
This year is the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhiji. Humble tributes to his pious memories.
Endnote:
This article first appeared in The Indian Express on April 12, 2019.
