| Madhavrao Sadashivrao Golwalkar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 February 1906 Ramtek, Maharashtra, India |
| Died | 5 June 1973 Nagpur, India |
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar (Marathi: माधव सदाशिव गोळवलकर Mādhav Sadāśiv Gōḷavalakar) (February 19, 1906 - June 5, 1973), popularly known as Pujyaniya Guruji , was the second "Sarsanghchalak" (supreme chief) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh a social and cultural organization of India.
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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 Sadashivrao was transferred to various places and as such Madhav also accompanied him with the family. Thus Madhav's schooling was held in various places including Saraipali (now in Chhattisgarh). Sadshivrao was stung by poverty in his early days, but Madhav was quite brilliant from childhood -- even reading Shakespeare in full during primary education.
Golwalkar completed his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in 1926 and 1928, respectively, with first class in Zoology at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. He attempted to write a thesis on Marine Life but was unable to complete as he was cash-strapped. Later, he became a teacher (respectfully called Guruji in Hindi) at BHU; and the Hindi moniker has remained with him ever since. Then, Golwalkarji came into contact with the Ramakrishna Mission at [Nagpur]. After his teaching tenure ended, he returned to Nagpur; by 1935, he even finished studying law and obtained L.L.B. Degree.
On 13 January 1937, Guruji was initiated by Swami Akhandananda, a direct disciple of Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and gurubandhu of Swami Vivekananda. Shri Golwalkar eventually received his 'diksha'
In the meantime, Bhaiyyaji Dani, a student at BHU and a close associate of RSS sarsanghachalak K. B. Hedgewar, started an RSS shakha (branch). 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.”. In 1939, he was appointed the Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) of the Sangh.
Dr. Hedgewar eventually died of multiple complications on June 21, 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 [(Dr. Hedgewar)] death.
Golwalkar was the force behind the formation of the organisations that comprise today the numerous network of socio-cultural activities in the entire country, popularly referred to as Sangh Parivar.
His complete works are now available in different Indian languages and English.
| Preceded by Keshava Baliram Hedgewar |
Sarsanghchalak of the RSS 1940–1973 |
Succeeded by Madhukar Dattatraya Deoras |
Golwalkar was vehemently opposed the concept of a secular Indian state which would not discriminate against its non-Hindu citizens.[1] In We, or Our Nation defined (1938), he stated:[1]
"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."
"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.
Critics that accused Golwalkar of fascism 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.—Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, [2]
However, Golwalkar also denounced antisemitism:[3]
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:[4]
Golwalkar died of cancer on June 5, 1973 in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
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
| Preceded by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar |
Sarsanghchalak of the RSS 1940–1973 |
Succeeded by Madhukar Dattatraya Deoras |
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