The founder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sri Keshav Baliram Pant Hedgewar or Param Pujaniya Drji as we call him, was Born into a family of Vedamurtis committed to Vedic learning and propagation, Keshav was born in Virodhi Samvatsara 1811 shakha era on the auspicious day of Varsha Pratipada - the auspicious Hindu new year in many parts of the country - the corresponding Gregorian date being 1st April 1889.
Starting today the beginning of Virodhi Samvatsaara until April 15th 2024 All Swayamsevaks and hita chintaks concerned about the wellbeing of Hindu rashtra are encouraged to take this opportunity to study and understand more about Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh through the life and work of Adya Sarsanghachalak Dr Keshav Baliram Pant Hedgewar so that we can become better instruments of the Rashtra karya.The sansmaran sandesha each day will not be an elaborate exposition on these topics of great depth, but rather a pointer for us to study and understand further.
Day 1 Sandesha - 9th April 2024
Clarity of thought and Diagnosis.
Besides his formal Medical degree from National Medical College, Kolkata (then Calcutta) the name Drji is even more suitably applicable to Dr Hedewar because of his clarity of thought and accurate diagnosis as to why we were under foreign rule.
Drji kept seeking answer to the pertinent question that - it was always a handful of invaders, outsiders who managed to subjugate such a large and powerful Hindu nation over many instances in the past millennia - although Bharat bravely and successfully repelled these invaders and oppressors, what led the same history to repeat again and again during the last 1000 years - his quest led him to the following diagnosis.
Three fold lacunae that had crept into the Hindu society:
1. Atmavismriti
2. Atmahinata
3. Atmakendrata
Let us study the life, his interactions and work of Drji to better understand the meaning and implication of these three deficiencies that had crept into the psyche of Hindu society which according to Drji was responsible for us to repeat the same mistakes again and becoming susceptible to foreign rule despite being a country of knowledge, sacrifice, valour and high values - the great civilization that we are.
Day 2 Sandesha - 10th April 2024
First Jail Sentence
Doctorji disapproved of Gandhiji’s policy of launching the non-cooperation movement with Khilafat as its major plank. The Khilafat agitation aiming to restore the Caliphate in turkey, Doctorji argued, would only breed extra-territorial religious fanaticism among the Muslims here. But he was not the one to stand aloof as a passive spectator during a national struggle merely because it did not come up to his expectations on all points. Doctorji moved like a hurricane lighting up the torch of freedom in the hearts and minds of people. A bonfire of foreign clothes would follow at many a place at the close of his meetings. How could the government tolerate all this? Restrictions were imposed upon Doctorji about participating in public meetings, lecturing and addressing gatherings of more than five persons. Mr. Cyril James Irwin, the district collector, had passed this order on 23rd February 1921, as per Section 144. The order continued as before. At last, the government sued him on 31st May 1921. However, it was not for violating the restrictive order; the complaint was that of “sedition.” Doctorji’s speeches in Katol and Bharatwada had been found “objectionable.”
Doctorji felt that no occasion should be missed to broadcast the message of Independence. Accordingly, he decided to engage a defence counsel. The hearing began on 14th June before a Judge by name Smelly. Because of the biased attitude of the judge, Doctorji’s lawyers found it difficult to carry on defence. Doctorji therefore prepared to plead his case himself. He read out his written statement in the court which was filled to capacity on the 5th of August:
1. It has been charged that my speeches have spread discontent, hatred and feelings of sedition towards the British Empire in the British Empire in the minds of Indians and sown seeds of enmity between Indians and Europeans. And I have been asked to explain. I consider it an affront to the dignity of my great country that a foreign government should subject a native Indian to inquiry and sit in judgement.
2. I do not recognize that there exists in India today any lawfully established government. It will be surprising if anybody should claim so. What obtains today is a regime of usurped authority and a repressive rule deriving power therefrom. The present laws and courts are but handmaids of this unauthorized regime. In any part of the world, it is only a government of the people constituted for the people that is entitled to administer law. All the other forms of rule are but ruses adopted by deceitful usurpers to loot helpless nations.
3. What I tried to do was to inspire in the hearts of my countrymen an attitude of reverential solicitude for their motherland which at the moment happens to be in a wretched condition. I tried to instill in the people the conviction that India belongs to Indians. If an Indian speaking for his country and spreading the nationalist feeling is regarded as committing sedition, if he cannot speak the truth without promoting hatred between Indians and Europeans, Europeans and those claiming to be the Indian government would do well to bear in mind that the day is not far off when foreigners will be forced to quit this country.
4. The government’s version of my speech is neither accurate nor complete. Some stray notes and absurd sentences have been sloppily put together. But that does not bother me. In dealing with Britain and Europeans I have borne in mind only the basic principles that ought to govern the relationship between two countries. Whatever I have said has been with a view to asserting the birthright of my countrymen and the inevitability of securing our independence. I am prepared to stand by each word that I have uttered. Though I cannot say anything else concerning the charges against me, I am prepared to justify each word and letter of my speech; and I declare that whatever I have said is lawful.”
It was no surprise that the presiding judge exclaimed: “His defence is even more seditious than his original speech!”
Day 3 Sandesha - 11th April 2024
First Jail Sentence Cont…
At the time of Doctorji’s examination the court was filled to capacity. Not content with his statement, Doctorji followed it up with a brief speech effectively exposition and the mass of people waiting to hear every word of what he spoke, the court itself was virtually transformed into a nationalist platform! Those who heard Doctorji’s speech still recall it as an electrifying Experience.
“India belongs to Indians. We therefore demand Independence. This is the content of all my speeches People have to be told how to secure Independence, and also how to conduct themselves after securing it. Otherwise it is quite likely that our people may imitate the British in Independent India. The British, though they are aggressing on other nations and governing them through repressive measures. But the very same British people are ready to shed blood when their own country’s independence is threatened. The recent war bears testimony to it. We are therefore obliged to advise our people, ‘Dear countrymen don’t imitate the aggressive ways of the British. Secure independence by peaceful means; and be happy and content with your own country without hungering for others’ territories.’ In order to explain this idea I cannot avoid referring to current political issues. That the British have been carrying on their despotic rule in our beloved country is obvious to everyone. What law is there that gives one country the right to rule over another? I am asking you, the counsel for government, this simple and straight question. Can you answer it? Is it not against natural justice? If it is true that no country has a right to rule over another country, who gave the British the authority to trample the people of India under their feet? Do the British belong to this land? How then can they enslave us and declare that they own this country? Is it not the most blatant murder of justice, morality and dharma?
“We have no desire to dispossess Britain and rule over it. Just as the British in Britain and the Germans in Germany rule over themselves, we who this country of India wish to rule over ourselves and carry on our own affairs. Our mind revolts at the thought of remaining the slaves of the British Empire and carrying that stigma for all time. We demand nothing short of Complete Independence. Till we achieve it we cannot be at peace. Is our desire to be free and independent in our own country against morality and law? I believe that law exists not to demolish morality and law? I believe that law exists not to demolish but to enforce it. That ought to be the prime purpose of law.”
In his judgement delivered on 19th August, Justice Smelly ordered Doctorji to give an undertaking in writing that he would not deliver seditious speeches in future for a period of one year and furnish bail of rupees three thousand.
Doctorji’s reaction was sharp and short: “My conscience tells me that I am completely innocent. A policy of repression would only add fuel to the fire already raging because of government’s vicious policies. I am convinced that the day is not far off for the foreign regime to reap the fruits of its sinful actions. I have faith in the justice of the Omnipresent God. I therefore refuse to comply with the order for bail.”
Even as Doctorji finished his reply, the judge pronounced one year’s rigorous imprisonment for him. Doctorji smilingly received the verdict, and left the courtroom for the prison. People who had come to witness the hearing thronged around Doctorji in a surge of enthusiasm. Rambhau Gokhale garlanded Doctorji on behalf of the City Congress, followed by Vishwanathrao Kelkar and others. Full-throated slogans filled the air. Doctorji bowed to Abaji Hedgewar, Sitaramji, Dr. Moonje and other elders. Barrister Abhyankar, Vaidya Harkare and others bade Doctorji a hearty farewell and urged him to speak a few words. Doctorji said:“As you are aware, I have defended myself in this case of sedition against me. However, these days, there is an impression going round that arguing in one’s defence is an act of treachery to the national movement. But I feel it is highly unwise to merely get crushed like a bug when a case is foisted upon us. It is our duty to expose to the whole world the wickedness of the foreign rulers. That would indeed be an act of patriotism. And not to defend ourselves, on the other hand, would be a suicidal policy. You may, if you so choose refuse to defend yourself; but for God’s sake don’t consider those who disagree with you as being less patriotic. If in the course of our patriotic duty we are called upon to enter the prison or be transported to the Andamans, or even face the gallows, we shall have to willingly do so. But let us not be under the illusion that jail-going is all in all, that it is the only path for achieving freedom. There are, in fact, so many fields of national service awaiting us outside the prison. I would be back amongst you after one year. Till then, of course, I will not be in touch with the national development, but I am confident that by then the movement for Complete Independence will have gained added momentum. Now, it is no more possible to keep down Hindustan under the heels of foreign domination. I offer my gratitude to you all and bid you good-bye.”
Doctorji left for the jail in a horse-drawn tonga, accompanied by police officials. The mass of people kept up continuous cheering: “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” “Doctor Hedgewar Ki Jai.” It was on Friday, 19th August 1921, that Doctorji moved into the prison. That very evening a public meeting to honour him in absentia was convened in the Townhall grounds. Barrister Govindrao Deshmukh presided. Dr. Moonje, Narayanrao Harkare and Vishwanathrao Kelkar – all spoke in a warm strain. "Because of his sacrifice and deep concern for the nation, Dr. Hedgewar will doubtless be the leader of the coming generation," said Harkare. They all showered unstinted praise on Doctorji for his commitment to Complete Independence. Speaking at the end, Vishwanathrao Kelkar recalled the message Doctorji had delivered just before proceeding to the prison.
Day 4 Sandesha - 12th April 2024
The Prognosis - a permanent solution to address all the challenges our Hindu Rashtra is facing
We had discussed that, Pa Pu Dr Hedgewar had identified the problems we are facing in the following broad category:
1. Atmavismriti
2. Atmahinata
3. Atmakendrata
It is to be noted that Drji had tried first hand - with the Revolutionary activities starting with Anushilan samiti up to various other revolutionary organisations and stalwarts.
Dr ji even worked for a considerable amount of time with the Indian National Congress to see if he could realise the same results - he in fact was the joint Secretary of Congress for Central Provinces and Berar, he worked with many stalwarts in Congress and was himself a very tall leader.
The British CID were keeping a close watch on his activities; he was jailed on 2 occasions, one term lasting almost a whole year.
It is to be noted that he was among the foremost in the British CID most wanted watch list - as he was considered extremely dangerous to the Queen’s rule - the code word given by British CID to refer to Drji was Cocaine , these are recorded in British records by their own intelligence officer Charles Teggart.
A self-critical analysis:
Drji realised the lack of discipline (affecting coordinated effort), self centeredness and ego clashes (which he saw in abundance among senior congress leaders), lack of humility, compromising the core cause for short term and political gain, lack of conviction on being a Hindu, inability to carry everyone together and sticking to the decision of the organisation - many such issues ranging from that of personal and national character was impeding both the fight for freedom and that it was not addressing the root cause of the nations weakness that allowed it to be subjugated again without lessons learned.
Amidst all these experiences, Drji never lost sight of the cherished Goal - he did not get carried away by his activities and was always critically questioning himself if all these led towards the cherished Goal, was it a temporary fix or did it offer a permanent solution?
After various discussion and experiments, Drji arrived at an informed decision to start a new movement which will have the unadulterated Goal of Taking This Hindu Rashtra once again to the pinnacle of its glory through Character building (vyakti nirman) and Hindu Sanghatan With preserving and nurturing this great Sanatana Hindu Dharma as the precondition for attaining the cherished Goal.
An answer to all these was his concept of Shakha, a one hour karyakram where Hindus will gather under a common Flag/Dhwaj with common purpose - with just the Hindu identity and work on their vyakti nirman in a family-like environment of shuddha sattvik prem.
These Men (Swayamsevaks) will then work out the solutions for all the problems facing the society by taking together the entire society around them. And thus Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh came into being. In the next Sansmaran, let us have a look into a couple of instances that highlight the great personality that Drji was, an embodiment of an Ideal/Adarsha Swayamsevak.
No comments:
Post a Comment