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| M. S. Golwalkar | |
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| Born | 19 February 1906 Ramtek, Maharashtra, India |
| Died | 5 June 1973 (aged 67) Nagpur, India |
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar (19 February 1906 – 5 June 1973), popularly known as Pujaniya Guruji , was the second "Sarsanghchalak" (Supreme chief) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a social and cultural organization of India.
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Early years [edit]
Golwalkar was born on 19 February 1906 at Ramtek near Nagpur, Maharashtra; the only surviving son of the nine children of his parents: Sadashivrao, a school teacher and Lakshmibai. As a school teacher, his father was transferred to various places and as such his schooling took place in various places.
After having graduated in Science from the Hislop college of Nagpur in 1926, he joined the famous Benaras Hindu University of Varanasi for his Master's Degree in Science, during which period, he came under the benign and inspiring influence of Pt.Madan Mohan Malaviya, a reputed nationalist leader and the founder of the University. After completing his post-graduation in 1928, he went to Madras to pursue Ph.D. in Marine Life but was unable to complete it as he was cash-strapped. Later, he served his Alma Mater as a professor for a couple of years and it was then that he earned from his students the affectionate sobriquet of 'Guruji', a reverential attribute which stuck to him permanently in the years that followed. After his teaching tenure ended, he returned to Nagpur and by 1935, he also obtained a LL.B. Degree.
In Nagpur, Golwalkar came into contact with the Ramakrishna Mission. Having been overpowered by a strong inner urge for spiritual pursuit, he left for the 'Saragachi' Ashram in Murshidabad district of Bengal seeking to renounce the world and become a Sanyasi (Monk). He became a disciple of Swami Akhandananda, a direct disciple of Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and gurubandhu of Swami Vivekananda,[1] at the Saragachi ashram. On 13 January 1937, he was initiated into the order and eventually, received his 'diksha' but his Guru refused to permit him to become a Sanyasi and directed him to continue his social service. He returned to Nagpur after the passing away of his Guru in 1937.[2]
Involvement with the RSS [edit]
In the meantime, Bhaiyyaji Dani, a student at BHU and a close associate of RSS Sarsanghachalak K. B. Hedgewar, started an RSS shakha in Varanasi. Inspired by the ideology and methodology of the RSS, Golwalkar joined the RSS and eventually, following a meeting with Dr.Hedgewar, went to the RSS' "Officers Training Camp" in Nagpur.
Dr. Hedgewar was deeply impressed by Golwalkar and seeing him as a potential successor, persuaded him to take a more active role in the Sangh. On his new role, Golwalkar said: “Like spirituality, organization of the Nation has also been my inclination from early days. I believe that I would be in a better position to achieve it successfully being a part of the Sangh.” He rose rapidly in the organisation and was appointed as the Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) of the Sangh in 1939.
Dr. Hedgewar died of multiple complications on 21 June 1940, and Golwalkar succeeded him as Sarsanghachalak as per the wishes of Dr. Hedgewar, that he had expressed in a letter (that was requested to be opened only after his death).
As Sarsanghachalak, he began a series of countrywide tours for interacting with the Sangh workers and propagating the RSS ideology. Under his leadership, Sangh activities grew apace and Sangh Shakhas sprouted even in the remote corners of the country. He was the force behind the formation of the numerous network of socio-cultural organisations in the entire country, popularly referred to as Sangh Parivar. The Bharatiya Jana Sangh (political party), Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (trade union), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (students union), Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram (Tribal welfare) and many other organisations were started by Swayamsevaks who forayed into various fields of public life.
Also, he wrote many articles and books articulating the Hindu nationalist ideology. His complete works are now available in different Indian languages and English.
Views on the role of minorities in a Hindu India [edit]
Golwalkar was vehemently opposed to the concept of a secular Indian state.[3] In We, or Our Nation defined (1938), he stated:[3]
"The non-Hindu people of Hindustan must either adopt Hindu culture and language, must learn and respect and hold in reverence the Hindu religion, must entertain no idea but of those of glorification of the Hindu race and culture ... In a word they must cease to be foreigners, or may stay in the country, wholly subordinated to the Hindu nation, claiming nothing, deserving no privileges, far less any preferential treatment—not even citizens' rights."
Views on Hindu-Muslim relations [edit]
"Bunch of thoughts" – Madhav Sadhashiv Golwalkar (Page no 489)
Question and Answer session:
(Talk with Dr Saifuddin Jeelany, Journalist and noted Arabic scholar, Calcutta – February 1971)
Q: Don’t you think that a solution to the Hindu – Muslim problem must be found especially at this critical moment when the country is faced with dangers from all sides?
A: So far as the work for the country is concerned, I do not differentiate between Hindus and Muslims. But how do people look at this problem? Probably these days everyone has become a political animal. Everyone thinks that he would be able to push forward his claims or privileges for his own community by exploiting political situations. If this could be remedied and the people became patriotic from a political, with only patriotic point of view, then all troubles will end in no time.
Criticism and counter-criticism [edit]
Critics accusing Golwalkar of being a fascist have often pointed to his extreme right-wing views. In his 1939 book, "We, Our Nationhood Defined", Golwalkar appears to express praise of Hitler, saying:
To keep up the purity of the Race and its culture, Germany shocked the world by her purging the country of the semitic Races — the Jews. Race pride at its highest has been manifested here. Germany has also shown how well nigh impossible it is for Races and cultures, having differences going to the root, to be assimilated into one united whole, a good lesson for us in Hindusthan to learn and profit by.
Ever since that evil day, when Moslems first landed in Hindustan, right up to the present moment, the Hindu Nation has been gallantly fighting on to take on these despoilers. The Race Spirit has been awakening.[4]
However, Golwalkar also denounced antisemitism:[5]
As for his views on Zionism and Israel, Golwalkar was supportive of the Zionist movement and also supported the creation of Israel as a Jewish State:[6]
The Jews had maintained their race, religion, culture and language; and all they wanted was their natural territory to complete their Nationality"[6]
Death [edit]
Golwalkar died of cancer on 5 June 1973 in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
| Preceded by Keshava Baliram Hedgewar |
Sarsanghchalak of the RSS 1940–1973 |
Succeeded by Madhukar Dattatraya Deoras |
Notes [edit]
- ^ "Swami Akhandananda".
- ^ "Reminiscences of Guruji".
- ^ a b Guha 2008, p. 19
- ^ The Monster in the Mirror
- ^ a b MS Golwalkar, Bunch of Thoughts, Jagarana Prakashana, Bangalore, 1966, p.210
- ^ a b Elst, Koenraad (2001). The Saffron Swastika: The Notion of "Hindu Fascism". Voice of India. ISBN 8185990697.
References [edit]
- Guha, Ramachandra (2008). India After Gandhi: The History of the World's Largest Democracy. Pan Macmillan. ISBN 9780330396110.
Further reading [edit]
Sheshadri H. V.; Shri Guruji, A Life Sketch; Jalandhar, 2006
C.P.Bhishikar. : Shri Guruji Pioneer of New Era, 1999 ISBN 81-86595-16-3
Shamsul-Islam : Golwalkar's We Or Our Nationhood Defined: A Critique With The Full Text Of The Book, ISBN 8172210302, Delhi, 2006
External links [edit]
- About Guruji
- About Guruji in English, Hindi and Marathi
- Bunch of Thoughts – Compilation of Guruji's Speeches and Writings
- Guruji Samagra 12 Volumes and other books (in Hindi and english). Text " The second Sarsanghachalak of RSS" ignored (help)
- Remembering Param Poojya Golvalkar Guruji
- Was Guru Golwalkar a Nazi ?, Disowning Golwalkar’s We by Koenraad Elst
- Biography
- M S Golwalkar: 100 years of a controversial leader (Rediff.com)
| Preceded by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar |
Sarsanghchalak of the RSS 1940–1973 |
Succeeded by Madhukar Dattatraya Deoras |
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