B. S. Moonje
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Dr. B.S. Moonje was born on 12 December 1872, at Bilaspur, currently in Chattisgarh province. He took his Medical Degree from Grant Medical College in Mumbai in 1898 and was employed in Bombay Municipal Corporation as a Medical Officer on handsome salary. He left this peaceful and dignified job to participate in Boer War in South Africa through his Medical Wing as King's Commissioned Officer because of keen interest in military life. Moonje started his medical practice in Nagpur after returning from Africa. He invented the method of operating “Cataract” after testing his skills on dead bodies of goats. He also presented his Thesis in Medical Association but since it had British domination he could not receive credit. He could not pursue the claim afterwards since he became involved in social and political activities, dedicating his life to India's freedom struggle, thus leaving his stable Medical Practice in early age. He was also a Sanskrit scholar.
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[edit] A Congress Leader and Tilak Supporter
Moonje was a prominent freedom fighter and a strong supporter / follower of Lokmanya B G Tilak. Congress Party’s annual session was held at Surat (Gujarat) in 1907. Trouble broke out between the moderate (Soft Faction) and the extremist (Hot Faction) factions of the party over the selection of the new President of the Congress and the party split into two factions. The extremists were led by Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipinchandra Pal (known as LAL-BAL-PAL). Dr Moonje and his followers literally gave physical protection to Tilak when he was attacked by people throwing chairs. From there onwards the relationship between Tilak and Moonje became very close. Dr Moonje toured entire Central India and collected huge funds for Tilak on many occasions. Dr Moonje also introduced Ganesh and Shivaji Festival in Central India and also accompanied Tilak to Calcutta for this purpose. He was General Secretary of Central Indian Provincial congress for many years (known as C. P. and Berar).
As a social reformer he established many social organisations such as schools, orphanages, gymnasiams, rifle clubs, hostels for Dalits, etc. All the institutions he founded are still running in good condition, some of them have completed Diamond Jubilee. Also started Marathi Newspaper Daily Maharashtra in Nagpur, Gopalrao Ogale as its editor.
[edit] A Staunch Hindu Leader
After the death of Tilak in 1920, he took up the Hindu Cause and continued it till his death in 1948. He was All India President of Hindu Mahasabha for many years, till he handed over charge to Veer Savarkar. Till his death, he was very active in Mahasabha and used to tour all of India. Savarkar always got his support and they worked as a team. He also attended Round Table Conference (in London) twice to place the side of Hindus despite strong opposition from All India Congress leaders. Incidentally, the Congress leaders who opposed Dr Moonje for his participation in first R T Conference, took part in second R T Conference. This was Dr Moonje’s political victory. Dr Moonje was in favour of Responsive Cooperation and not total Non Cooperation.
When Dr Ambedkar announced his decision to join another religion by getting converted along with his followers, Dr Moonje and Veer Savarkar convinced him to join any religion of Indian origin. Initially, Dr Ambedkar thought of joining Sikhism but later on joined Buddhism despite receiving tempting monetary offers from some religious leaders. Dr Moonje thus succeeded in keeping all Dalit friends in a religion of Indian origin and soil, which otherwise could have been very disastrous for Hindus. [1]
[edit] Dr. Moonje, Dr. Hedgewar and RSS
Moonje played a lead role in founding the Hindu political party Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as the mentor of Dr K. B. Hedgewar (born in 1889). Some contemporary people say that starting RSS was Dr Moonje's brain child and he got it executed through Dr Hedgewar (information taken from Dr Moonje's Biography, Introduction of the Publisher Mr Shankar Date of Kaal Prakashan, Poona, second volume written by Shrimati Veenatai Balshastri Hardas, Preface by Late Shri Balasaheb Deoras {then Chief of RSS, year 1981}). The First volume was written in 1966 by Late Mr. Balshastri Hardas preface by Late Mr. M. S. Golwalkar Guruji ( then Chief of RSS).
As Dr. Hedgewar's parents died in his childhood, he used to stay with Dr Moonje's residence at Nagpur. They had a very close Father-Son like relationship. Dr. Moonje financially helped Dr. Hedgewar in completing his School as well as Medical Education at Calcutta. Also employed him in Ideal Insurance company (Nagpur) as a Medical Officer to give him financial support and stability.
In 1921, Dr. Moonje conducted a tour to Malbar region (South Malabar near Calicut) to see the atrocities done by Muslim Moplas on Hindus. Hindu houses were sacked, temples desecrated and thousands of Hindus were converted by force to Islam. Dr. Moonje's tour report was published in local newspaper which deeply moved Dr Hedgewar. (information of last two paras taken from Dr. Hedgewar's first ever Biography published in 1960, written in Marathi by Late Mr. N. H. Palkar and Preface by Late Mr. M. S. Golwalkar Guruji {then Chief of RSS} and book ‘Teen Sarasanghachalak’ written by Dr V. R. Karandikar). Dr Moonje enunciated "Purification Ritual" in the Hindu religion (which was opposed by conservative Brahmins) taking the support of Deval Smriti to restore all converted friends back to Hindu fold. Then Shankaracharya Late Dr. Kurtkoti also endorsed it. Then a massive Re-conversion movement began on all India level. People started calling him "DHARMAVEER" after this work.
[edit] Indianisation of Military and Militarisation of India
He had a keen interest in "Indianisation of Military and Militarisation of India". He was member of the "First Defense Committee of India" under the Chairmanship of General Chetwood and also member of Central Legislative Council (now known as the Parliament).
Taking the advantage of new recruitment opened by British Government during World War II, he conducted several Recruitment Rallies for inducting young men into the British Army, thinking that the Indian Blood will revolt against British when nation needs it.
He visited many Military Schools in Britain, Germany, France and Italy. He met many Generals of First World War and also met Mussolini to study the military training imparted in Italy. He took initiative in starting Indian Military Academy at Dehradoon as the first Indian Academy in 1936. After this tour he established Central Hindu Military Education Society at Nashik in 1935 and started Bhonsala Military School in 1937 as a feeder Institute to IMA, Dehradun.
His motto was:
"A person having four vedas (knowledge) in front (to guide him), a bow and arrow (power) at his back (to back him) has a combination of “Brahmyam” and Kshatram” and hence he is capable of defeating the enemy either by "Shapa" (Power of Knowledge) or "Shara" (Knowledge of Power) Thus, the aim is to impart “Power of Knowledge” and “Knowledge of Power “ in the youth."
Many British and Indian dignitaries, VVIP's have visited this School by now.
He died on 4 March 1948 at Nasik.
[edit] Memorial
Two full size statues of Dr. Moonje are installed during his Birth Centenary year in 1972. One at New Delhi (in front of New Delhi Railway Station) and other at Nagpur (opposite Maharashtra Bank Sitabuldi Nagpur). Late Shri Golawalkar Guruji (then Chief of RSS) was the Chairman of the All India Birth Centenary Commemoration Committee in 1972. Then Defense Minister and eminent Dalit Leader Late Shri Jagjiwanram was also member of this Committee. Then President, Prime Minister and other Dignitaries had sent their well wishes to this Celebration.
Statue in Nagpur was inaugurated on 12th Dec 1972 by Late General K.M. Cariappa who was the first Commander in Chief (C n C) of Indian Armed Force (Lateron became Field Marshal).
A Centennial Commemoration Volume was also published during this celebration.
[edit] References
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