K. B. Hedgewar

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Keshava Baliram Hedgewar
Born	April 1, 1889 Nagpur, India
Died	June 21, 1940 Nagpur, India

Keshava Baliram Hedgewar (Nagpur, India April 1, 1889 – Nagpur, India June 21, 1940) was the founder of Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Hedgewar founded the RSS in Nagpur, Maharashtra in 1925, with the intention of promoting the concept of the Hindu nation. Hedgewar drew upon influences from social and spiritual Hindu reformers such as Swami Vivekananda and Aurobindo to develop the core philosophy of the RSS. The organization he founded crystallised the concept of Hinduism and Nationalism that has since become largest volunteer organization in the world. After being sent to Kolkota to pursue a degree in medicine, Hedgewar was drawn into the influence of secret revolutionary organisations like the Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar in Bengal. He was also a member of the Hindu Mahasabha till 1929. Hedgewar was imprisoned for sedition by the British government in 1921 for a year and again in 1930 for nine months. After his spell in prison he instructed the RSS to remain aloof from political activities including the Salt Satyagraha (1930) and continue mainly as a social organisation ^{[citation needed]}.

Contents 1 Hedgewar and the RSS 2 Family History 3 Childhood 4 Youth 5 Political & Social Life 6 Background of RSS 7 Inception of RSS 8 Forward March 9 Congress & RSS 10 See Also 11 External Links 12 References 13 Notes

[edit] Hedgewar and the RSS

The RSS was formed on Vijayadashami Day and focussed primarily on Indian youth. Guided by a vision of national unity, he travelled extensively to expand and consolidate the organisation. Hedgewar claimed that "at the heart of Hindu culture is Hindu religion, and its noble ideas are from the Vedas", also asserting that the diverse languages of India were offshoots of Sanskrit.^[1] Hedgewar believed that character building could be achieved by engaging in physical exercise, bodybuilding, and sports. In 1999 the Government of India honored Hedgewar by publishing an Indian Postal Services stamp.

[edit] Family History

Dr. Hedgewar comes from a family which was originally from Kundakurti. This place is from Bodhan taluka near the border states of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Near this village, three rivers meet to form a Triveni sangam. The rivers are Godavari, Vanjara and Haridra. The Hedgewar family is from Rigveda's Aashwalayan Sutra's Shakalshakhiya Deshastha Brahmin branch. The gotra of the family is Kashyap. Shri Vallabhesh Brahmin is considered as their mula-purush (family originator) of the family. This Vallabhesh brahmin is connected to Shri Shripad Shrivallabha, the first avatar of Dattatreya. It is said that he was revived by Shri Shripad Shrivallabha when he was killed by dacoits on a Guru-dwadashi day. This story is depicted in Shri GuruCharitra's tenth adhyaya. Even today in the Hedgewar family, this story is remembered by tradition. This is not a far fetched connection as the tradition of visiting Ganagapur on Guru-dwadashi day is still followed in these families and in Gurucharitra the story states the gotra of Vallabhesh brahmin to be Kashyap. ^[1]

[edit] Childhood

Dr Hedgewar was born in a poor, Karnataka Brahmin family in 1889 on the auspicious occasion of GUDIPADWA which is the beginning of Hindu New Year. In his early childhood he lost his parents and was educated by his elder brother. He had intense patriotic feelings from childhood which can be seen in an incident. 1897 was celebrated as Diamond Jubilee of Victoria's reign and sweets were distributed through schools. He refused to accept sweets saying that it smells of Slavery. An ardent devotee of Lokmanya Tilak, he had to suffer rustication because he ran away to see Tilak who was passing by train near his school.

Once as a child he noticed that UNION JACK was hoisted on Sitabuldi fortand that is why British were our masters. So along with his friends he planned to create a tunnel up to the fort and uproot the union jack. When his teacher heard of the plan he laughed but gave him a pat for his courage.

[edit] Youth

After completing matriculation, he decided to go to Kolkata for studying medicine. During those times Kolkata was the hub of armed revolutionary activities, which was one of the main reason of his attraction towards this city for graduation. He immediately joined Anushilan Samiti and had contacts with famous revolutionaries like Surya Sen. However during these days he also realised the limitations of armed movement. Revolutionaries had immense dedication and determination for the cause, however in a country of continental proportions it was impossible to instigate an armed insurrection unless the populace was made aware about their status. After completing his graduation, he returned to Nagpur, disillusioned with armed movement (although he maintained contact with them and is also said to have given refuge to Rajguru in Akola).

[edit] Political & Social Life

In Nagpur he was involved with different social activities like orphanage, school for blind, etc and it was said that in any social work he would be omnipresent. His revolutionary mind was also searching for ways to free his beloved motherland from foreign yoke. Simultaneously, he also got involved with Indian National Congress which was in forefront of non violent struggle against British. It was his fascination of Tilak which gravitated him towards Tilak faction and he developed a close association with Dr Munje. In 1920,Nagpur session of INC, he was appointed as the Chief Co-ordinator of volunteers overseeing the whole function.

It gave him an opportunity to get a close view of the non violent movement of Congress and Khilafat. He realised that Congress as well as armed movement was directed against British but did not have any concrete action plan of 'what after independence?' Along with it nobody was trying to fathom the reason that a nation of splendid wealth & culture with great rulers and people was under foreign yoke for past millennium. He also questioned Gandhiji saying that Khilafat movement will fan the communal passions of fundamental Muslims and will enhance their different identity from India, but Gandhiji who was convinced of Hindu-Muslim unity disposed the doubt as ridiculous.

[edit] Background of RSS

The question of continuous defeat and subjugation of Bharat shook him from the bottom and he meditated a lot about its reasons. Finally he came to a conclusion that Bharat is a HINDU RASHTRA, Hindus are the real owners of this holy land. And they are only responsible for its glory and defeat. The reason for their defeat was the divisiveness which had creeped among the Hindus due to castes, regionalism and a complete loss of discipline and national character. So all the problems which were being faced by Bharat i.e. subjugation, provincialism, Muslim atrocities, untouchability were a result of inherent flaw in the Hindu character rather than problems themselves. In the words of Guruji "If one is suffering from some rashes on skin, then applying a balm on these rashes are not a remedy if these rashes are arising from a defect in blood."

Thus the need of hour was a cultural organisation which will unite Hindus on a common platform and instill among them discipline and national character. Once he was convinced about the idea, he went full throttle for it and used his experience in social and political life to make it a success. He was blessed by Savarkar, who was then under house imprisonment in Ratnagiri.

[edit] Inception of RSS

It was the august occasion of Vijayadashmi that he laid the foundation of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1925 in a small room in Nagpur with 20-25 persons. The basic element of RSS was to be Shakha (i.e. branch) which will be held in every town/village on open ground everyday for an hour where swayamsevaks will perform drills, exercise and enchant slogans and songs of national fervour. Shakha will end with prarthna which was constituted later around 1930.

Every city, town, village should have a Shakha were people would be moulded into a swayamsevak who will serve his Motherland in any need which arises. The ideal or Guru will be the sacred BHAGWA DHWAJ (saffron flag) because it signifies courage and sacrifice and is immortal. Thus he instilled a culture of worship of values rather than persons.

[edit] Forward March

Doctorji always said that we are not interested in seeing any jubilee of RSS because the faster we unite Hindus and Bharat attains PARAM VAIBHAV (highest glory) the earlier will RSS realise its mission. He travelled to every nook and corner of the country to start Shakhas and garner the support of prominent persons for the noble cause.

Bhaiyyaji Dani, Bhaurao Deoras, Balasaheb Deoras, Vyankappa Patki, Appaji Joshi and many others were his initial followers who helped him in this herculean task. Doctorji took herculean efforts so that RSS could spread its wings around BHARAT. Many people laughed on him, saying that Hindus cannot be united when they are so dismembered by castes. He was said to have gone mad who played around with children.

But his efforts bore fruit when in 1940,just before his death, during a training camp he met svayamsevaks from all the regions of the country. He said "I am seeing a small picture of HINDU RASHTRA in you".

[edit] Congress & RSS

The 1934, training camp of RSS was held at Wardha near Sevagram. Gandhiji himself visited the camp and was astonished to see that during lunch or dinner there was no separate queue for untouchables. Many swayamsevaks even didn't know the caste of person besides them. When pointed about this miracle, Doctorji replied that all are Hindus here irrespective of their caste. Dr Ambedkar also visited the camp and was amazed by the simplicity with which casteism was replaced by unity and equality.

Doctorji encouraged swayamsevaks to participate in political movements like Civil Disobedience of 1931. He himself participated in Jungle Satyagraha of 1931,while appointing Appaji Joshi as Sarsanghchalak for that period.

British government was keeping a close watch on RSS. Within 5 years of its establishment, government servants were banned from visiting RSS functions. It is sad that even after independence, government is following the same line.

Preceded by (none)

Sarsanghchalak of the RSS 1925 – 1940

Succeeded by Madhavrao Sadashivrao Golwalkar

[edit] See Also

[edit] External Links

• Official Website of RSS

[edit] References

1. ^ Dr. Hedgewar Charitra: N. H. Palkar, pp 1-2, 435-436.

[edit] Notes

1. ↑  Robinson, Biography of Golwalkar, Oxford University Press 1967.
2. "RSS:A Vision in Action" by H.V.Sheshadri
3. "Bunch of Thoughts" by M.S.Golwalkar