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Maharaja Hari Singh didn't sign Kashmir's accession until he met RSS' MS Golwalkar
Even before the Partition was formalised, Golwalkar started focusing on keeping the morale of the masses high and creating awareness about various threats. Thus, to preserve peace nationwide, Golwalkar and the Sangh leaders began travelling across the country to interact with the masses. Such efforts also helped the Sangh to mobilise several new volunteers.
From leading on-ground initiatives to providing timely insights, Golwalkar's actions, mostly behind the scenes, elicit devotion toward protecting Bharat's integration. This is evident in his crucial interventions for ensuring peace during the Partition, integrating various states and strengthening the national resolve during times of war.
National integration has been the foremost objective for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. While numerous leaders and organisations are credited for nation building in contemporary times, the key role played by the RSS and its second Sarsangchalak, Madhav Sadashivrao Golwalkar, also known as Guruji, have not been acknowledged.
During the Partition, Golwalkar was asked about picking up arms against Muslims in Montgomery, a Punjab province in undivided India. He cited the Gita, saying that the 'atman' is immortal and there is nothing to be afraid of. He quoted a proverb, saying that the world fears someone who neither intimidates others nor fears for himself. He added that 'fearlessness is the strongest weapon'.
Golwalkar worked tirelessly to safeguard citizens in this tumultuous period. In July 1948, he was in Sangrur for the Sangh Shiksha Varg. Members of the Mastuana Sahib Gurudwara committee invited him. In the reception programme in his honour, the Gurudwara chief said, 'It is our immense fortune that we have today amongst us a great soul who has tied the sacred thread of protection (akin to Sikh arm gear, kadaa) for defending dharma. He is raising a strong force with the power of his meditation that will surely defend dharma.'
Moreover, Golwalkar's efforts were not limited to any particular region. On learning about persecuted Hindus arriving from East Pakistan, he rushed to Bengal and met senior leaders. He also led the creation of the Vasthuhara Sahayata Samiti, along with initiatives like the Punjab Relief Committee and Hindu Sahaayta Samiti.
Golwalkar deeply cared for those displaced by Partition and strongly opposed calling them 'refugees'. When someone used the term during a discussion, he firmly said, 'This nation belongs to everyone,' and asked how anyone could be a refugee in their 'own ho me'.
Also read: How former RSS head M.S. Golwalkar saw India and wanted to treat minorities
Integration of states: J&K and Goa
One of the most important yet less discussed contributions of Golwalkar toward national integration remains his efforts for integrating Kashmir.
In early October 1947, multiple attempts for Kashmir's accession failed as former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Maharaja Hari Singh failed to reach an agreement. Realising the sensitivity of the situation, Golwalkar intervened in the matter.
On 18 October, he visited Srinagar to meet the Maharaja, who deeply respected him. The royal couple welcomed him at the palace gates, and the Maharaja even touched his feet. After a private meeting, Golwalkar returned and informed Sardar Patel of the Maharaja's favourable stand. Soon after, Maharaja Hari Singh agreed to the accession.
Numerous individuals confirmed this meeting. In a foreword written for Sandeep Bamzai's book Gilded Cage: Years that Made and Unmade Kashmir, Dr. Karan Singh, son of Maharaja Hari Singh, confirmed that Golwalkar had visited Kashmir to meet his father. Similarly, retired IAS officer and former Secretary of the National Advisory Council, Arun Bhatnagar, in his book India: Shedding the Past, Embracing the Future, discussed how Golwalkar went to Kashmir to meet the Maharaja on Patel's request.
Golwalkar made similarly crucial interventions for Goa's liberation by repeatedly emphasising the need for decisive action, in contrast to PM Nehru's efforts for a diplomatic solution due to Portugal's NATO membership. Golwalkar vehemently opposed Congress' disinterest in Goa's freedom movement and gave blessings and some instructions to Vasantrao Oke, one of the primary leaders of the Sangh's participation in Goa's liberation.
Golwalkar on China, Nepal
Seeing China's actions in Tibet, Golwalkar believed that they would soon act aggressively toward India too. On multiple occasions, his observations on Chinese actions turned out to be prescient. In hindsight, the serious impact could have been averted if action had been initiated based on his warnings. For instance, the government formally accepted the Chinese attack on 20 October 1962. However, on 16 October and then on 18 October, Golwalkar had forewarned that he had definite information that China was going to attack India.
Despite not being in active politics, Golwalkar worked toward strengthening India's bilateral ties. For instance, in 1963, he managed to prevent a severe deterioration in Bharat's ties with Nepal. In February 1963, he visited Nepal and met Prime Minister Dr. Tulsi Giri and King Shri Mahendravir Vikramshah. During these meetings, the Nepali leaders shared their concerns about Bharat's evolving bias against Nepal.
Rather than criticising the Indian government abroad, Golwalkar reassured the Nepali leaders that it may be that their concerns were not reaching PM Nehru and promised to discuss the matter with top leaders. Upon his return to India, he wrote to PM Nehru and Home Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri about his interactions and observations.
Upholding national unity
Golwalkar consistently put national interest above ideology and worked for unity despite differences with the incumbent government.
During the 1965 India-Pakistan war, he was asked by then-Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri to attend an all-party meeting and provide cooperation.
In the meeting, Golwalkar urged all leaders to focus on victory with honour. Later, he stayed in Delhi to support planning, and then visited Gujarat to give a speech on All India Radio. ' Ruling and other leaders have the ability to fight this righteous war with firm resolve and also to search for the path of peace… All the knowledgeable brothers should keep up the moral fortitude of society… It is my request to all the countrymen that we should wish for victory, pray for victory, work ceaselessly and make sacrifice of the highest order,' he said.
In another message to citizens during the war, he emphasised the importance of cooperating with the government during sensitive times. 'I appeal to all the countrymen and especially the swayamsevak brothers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to fully cooperate with the government in solving the problems that arise. Help the displaced, the injured and the sick, maintain peace and order, civil security…'
This was not the first occasion when Golwalkar had specifically called for prioritising national interest. In a statement on 29 October 1962, during the China War, he requested all citizens, especially Swayamsevaks, to extend unquestioned support to the government and warned about anti-nationals attempting sabotage.
On 30 October 1962, he sent a letter to the Prime Minister: 'All of us brothers, will spare no effort to carry out our natural duty to free the nation from this danger with all our strength. I feel highly fulfilled in giving this unconditional assurance to you as the person heading the government.' Moreover, in an interview, when asked if he would support the government against China, Golwalkar confirmed that the Sangh would fully cooperate and had already announced this.
The tough socio-political milieu alongside global uncertainty posed serious challenges for Bharat during Golwalkar's tenure as the Sarsanghchalak. On every possible occasion, he stepped up as a quiet force who prioritised national interest and pursued national integration as a lifelong mission.
Dr. Devi Dayal Gautam is Assistant Professor, Delhi School of Economics and Convenor, Academics4Nation. He tweets @ddgautam. Views are personal.
(Edited by Ratan Priya)
