The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), established a century ago, recently organized a three-day lecture series in Delhi to commemorate the occasion. Despite claims by opposition parties that the RSS had a limited role in India’s independence, historical facts reveal a different reality. The RSS, along with its founder, Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, actively opposed the British. The RSS itself participated in major movements like the Civil Disobedience and the Quit India movements.
In 1897, when Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee was celebrated with the distribution of sweets to schoolchildren, a young Hedgewar, aged eight, refused to accept the sweets, and threw them in the trash. Later, in 1907, when the British administration prohibited singing ‘Vande Mataram’ in public spaces, Hedgewar sang the anthem during a class at Neil City School, in front of a government inspector, which led to his expulsion.
Hedgewar’s involvement extended to the Anushilan Samiti in Bengal. Hedgewar, born in Nagpur, was associated with Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. During his medical studies, he joined the Anushilan Samiti, a key revolutionary organization in Bengal, Calcutta. In 1915, during World War I, when Ras Bihari Bose and Sachindra Nath Sanyal organized a nationwide revolt in military cantonments, Dr. Hedgewar became a prominent figure in the movement in Central India.
Dr. Hedgewar was initially associated with the Congress. In 1920, during the 20th Congress session in Nagpur, Dr. Hedgewar and Dr. B.S. Hardikar were given responsibilities. About 1,200 volunteers were recruited under his leadership. At this time, he served as the Joint Secretary of the Nagpur Congress and was also a member of the reception committee.
After the Congress session, Dr. Hedgewar rose as one of the important leaders in the province. He was selected in April 1921 as one of the 12 members of the Tilak Swaraj Fund Committee for the Central Province. He was also elected to the District Congress in May 1921. His popularity increased with his role in the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Dr. Hedgewar opposed the British regulations. On February 22, 1921, he declared, “Not a single liquor shop will be allowed to operate in Nagpur.” Subsequently, the court imposed a ban on public gatherings. He was imprisoned. After spending a year in jail, Dr. Hedgewar returned to the national movement in 1922.
On April 13, 1923, the Jhanda Satyagraha was organized in Nagpur, for which Dr. Hedgewar trained volunteers. He, along with others, formed the Wardha Parishad to organize the Rashtriya Swayamsevaks in the freedom struggle. In 1924, Dr. Hedgewar began using the press to promote complete freedom and became a dynamic editor. In 1925, he founded the RSS with his associates.
In 1926-27, the RSS’s reach was limited to Nagpur and its surroundings. During this time, revolutionary Rajguru became an RSS volunteer. Bhagat Singh met Dr. Hedgewar in Nagpur. In December 1928, after the assassination of police officer Saunders, the revolutionaries escaped from Lahore. Dr. Hedgewar arranged for Rajguru’s stay.
During the Simon Commission’s visit to India in 1927, the RSS volunteers led strikes and demonstrations. In 1928, during Vijayadashami, Vithalbhai Patel was the chief guest. A training camp was formed in Wardha on Swaraj (April 27-28, 1929), with many volunteers.
Dr. Hedgewar stated, “India will have to achieve freedom through its own strength.”
The Congress declared complete independence as its goal at the Lahore session in December 1929 and called for Independence Day to be celebrated on January 26, 1930. Dr. Hedgewar was happy about this. He issued a circular to RSS branches instructing them to hoist the national flag and conduct lectures on freedom. Independence Day was celebrated in all Sangh branches.
In 1930, Gandhi launched the Civil Disobedience Movement, culminating in the Dandi March on April 6. The Sangh decided to support the movement. A meeting was held to decide on unconditional support.
The Sangh decided that Dr. Hedgewar and selected leaders would participate in the Satyagraha. On July 21, 1930, Hedgewar led the Satyagraha, which involved thousands. Hedgewar was sentenced to 9 months in jail.
On August 8, 1931, during the Garhwal Day, volunteers were injured when they violated Section 144. During Vijayadashami, Dr. Hedgewar was in jail. A message was read in RSS branches, “We will not indulge in comfort until the country is free.”
As the Sangh’s role in the freedom movement grew, the government felt threatened. On December 15, 1932, the government prohibited its employees from joining the RSS. Protests were held.
On March 7, 1934, most MLAs opposed the ban on RSS. The debate lasted three days, increasing the Sangh’s popularity.
The revolutionary spirit of Dr. Hedgewar inspired the Mukteshwar Dal to merge into the RSS. This patriotic initiative led to the establishment of new branches.
Dr. Hedgewar’s ideals left a deep impression on many national leaders. His ability to articulate the Sangh’s perspective earned him respect.
A training camp was held on December 22, 1934, with 1,500 volunteers. The RSS became a topic of discussion due to Mahatma Gandhi’s visit. When Gandhi arrived, volunteers welcomed him.
During the Congress session in Faizpur in 1936, the tricolor got stuck during the flag hoisting. A young man, Kishan Singh Pardesi, climbed the pole and hoisted the flag. The honor ceremony was canceled when it was discovered he was an RSS volunteer. Dr. Hedgewar honored him and advised him to remove obstacles.
In December 1937, Dr. Hedgewar introduced Veer Savarkar to the RSS. On December 12, 1937, Savarkar was given a grand welcome in Nagpur. Seeing the dedication of volunteers, Savarkar became emotional.
In 1939, Subhash Chandra Bose was forced to resign. Bose formed the Forward Bloc. Bose was expelled from the Congress in September 1939.
In early 1940, the veteran Bengali revolutionary Trailokyanath Chakraborty toured to organize revolutionaries. He met Dr. Hedgewar, and Hedgewar embraced him. Chakraborty requested Hedgewar to channel the strength of the Sangh into the revolution.
On June 20, 1940, Subhash Chandra Bose met Dr. Hedgewar. Hedgewar entrusted responsibility to M.S. Golwalkar. Dr. Hedgewar died on June 21, 1940.
In 1942, the Congress launched the Quit India movement. The RSS volunteers played an active role.
The Asti-Chimur rebellion took place in Maharashtra. Many volunteers were jailed. The movement spread. The news of the Chimur rebellion was broadcast on Berlin Radio. In this struggle, RSS volunteer Balaji Rajapurkar was martyred.
The Sangh was active in the Quit India movement. British intelligence reports show the Sangh’s work increased. Training camps were held. The RSS was working towards achieving independence.