Dattatreya Hosabale
The work of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is now completing a hundred years. In this hundred-year journey, many people have been collaborators and participants. This journey was certainly full of hard work and challenges, but the constant support of the common people has been its most pleasant aspect. Today, when we reflect in this centenary year, many such incidents and individuals come to mind who dedicated everything of theirs for the success of this journey.
In the early days, those young workers, filled with patriotism like warriors, spread across the nation for Sangh work. Be it household workers like Appaji Joshi, or pracharaks such as Dadarav Parmar, Balasaheb and Bhaurao Deoras, Yadvarav Joshi, Eknath Ranade and others, all came under the guidance of Dr. Hedgewar. They accepted Sangh work as a lifelong vow of national service and continued with it till their last breath.
The Sangh’s work has continuously progressed only through the support of society. Since Sangh work aligned with the emotions of the common man, its acceptance in society grew steadily. Once, during his foreign travels, Swami Vivekananda was asked—“In your country, most people are illiterate, they don’t even know English, so how will your great ideas reach them?” He replied, “Just as ants do not need to learn English to find sugar, my people of India, with their spiritual wisdom, will immediately understand any social work happening in any corner and silently join in. Therefore, they will understand me.” This was proven true over time. Similarly, Sangh’s social work, though gradual, kept receiving acceptance and support from common people.
From the very beginning, Sangh workers received blessings and shelter from new families through continuous contact. The families of swayamsevaks themselves became the centres of Sangh work. The support of mothers and sisters has been integral to the completeness of Sangh’s work. Leaders like Dattopant Thengdi, Yashwantrao Kelkar, Balasaheb Deshpande, Eknath Ranade, Deendayal Upadhyaya and Dadasaheb Apte, inspired by the Sangh, played vital roles in building organizations in diverse fields of social life. Today, these organizations are not only widespread but are also bringing positive change in their respective areas. Among women, from Mausiji Kelkar to Pramilatai Medhe, the contribution of such revered personalities through the Rashtrasevika Samiti has been immensely significant.
The Sangh has from time to time taken up many national issues. All these received support from various sections of society, including, at times, even from those who appeared publicly opposed. The Sangh has always strived to obtain collective support on issues concerning the larger Hindu society. In the causes of national unity, security, social harmony, democracy, and protection of religion and culture, countless swayamsevaks endured hardships, and hundreds even sacrificed their lives. In all this, society’s backing has always been present.
In 1981, when some Hindus were converted in Meenakshipuram, Tamil Nadu, a massive awakening conference was organized, attended by nearly five lakh people. The then senior Congress leader Dr. Karunasinh presided over it. Similarly, in 1964, at the founding of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, renowned monk Swami Chinmayananda, Master Tara Singh, Jain Muni Sushil Kumar, Buddhist monk Kushok Bakula, and Namdhari Sikh Satguru Jagjit Singh played leading roles. To re-establish that Hindu scriptures have no place for untouchability, at the initiative of Shri Guruji Golwalkar, the Vishva Hindu Conference in Udupi saw the presence and blessings of all religious heads and saints. Just as the Prayag Conference accepted the resolution “Na Hindu Patito Bhavet” (No Hindu can ever be fallen), the Udupi Conference declared “Hindavaḥ Sōdarāḥ Sarvē” (All Hindus are brothers, all are children of Bharat Mata). In all such initiatives, whether it was the cow protection movement or the Ram Janmabhoomi campaign, Sangh swayamsevaks consistently received the blessings of saints.
Immediately after independence, when the then government banned Sangh work due to political reasons, even in such adverse circumstances, ordinary people along with eminent personalities stood by the Sangh and gave it strength. The same was experienced during the Emergency. This is why, despite so many obstacles, Sangh work has continued to move forward unhindered. In all such situations, it was our mothers and sisters who carried the responsibility of supporting swayamsevaks and Sangh work with great skill. All this has become a perennial source of inspiration for the Sangh.
In the future, for the nation’s service, Sangh swayamsevaks will, in this centenary year, strive for the cooperation and participation of all sections of society through door-to-door contact. The main goal will be to reach from big cities to the remotest villages, and to all classes of society. With the coordinated efforts of the entire virtuous society, the forthcoming journey of holistic national development will be easier and successful.
(The author is the Sarkaryavah of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh)
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