The Sangh and Swaraj–Role of RSS in freedom struggle
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Dr Sagolsem Kulachandra Singh (Kendra Pramukh, Vishwa Samvad Kendra, Manipur)
Contd from previous issue
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).”
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)
(To be contd)
Contd from previous issue
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).”
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)
(To be contd)