Sangh & Swarajya
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RSS Freedom Movement & Partition
RSS and freedom movement
RSS founder Dr Hedgewar was against British rule since his childhood. He was closely associated with revolutionaries and Anushilan Samiti. Dr Hedgewar had even obtained training bomb manufacturing. He was involved in freedom struggle after division of Bengal in 1905. Dr Hedgewar was given the responsibility of revolutionary work in Central Province during the first world war. Plan was to organize armed struggle against the British rule like 1857. Dr Hedgewar was also active in Congress and participated in the movement even after formation of RSS. Significantly, RSS pledge specifically mentioned about freedom of Hindu Rashtra. Secret report prepared by police said that RSS was a dangerous organization.
RSS and freedom movement
RSS founder Dr Hedgewar was against British rule since his childhood. He was closely associated with revolutionaries and Anushilan Samiti. Dr Hedgewar had even obtained training bomb manufacturing. He was involved in freedom struggle after division of Bengal in 1905. Dr Hedgewar was given the responsibility of revolutionary work in Central Province during the first world war. Plan was to organize armed struggle against the British rule like 1857. Dr Hedgewar was also active in Congress and participated in the movement even after formation of RSS. Significantly, RSS pledge specifically mentioned about freedom of Hindu Rashtra. Secret report prepared by police said that RSS was a dangerous organization.
Special functions were organized in all RSS shakhas to support Congress resolution on January 26, 1930, which demanded complete freedom. Several RSS volunteers participated in 1942 quit India movement and many of them were jailed. Many Congress and revolutionary leaders were given shelter by RSS volunteers in the freedom struggle. RSS’s role was not only restricted to Indian freedom movement. RSS activists vigorously participated in liberation of Goa, Dadra, Nagar and Haveli, which continued to be ruled by Portuguese even after independence.
RSS and partition
RSS vehemently opposed partition of the country. In June 1947, Congress unexpectedly supported partition. RSS undertook massive awakening drive against the partition, for which all its office bearers travelled across the country. The then Sarsanghchalak M S Golwalkar alias Guruji, himself, travelled at Lahore, Karachi, Jalandhar and Amritsar. RSS leaders met Hindu and tried to boost their morale in diverse condition. They also met administrative officers, insisting on the security of Hindus.
Special training programmes were organized to protect Hindus and retaliate any attacks. As many as 300 such programmes were organized and 80 of them in Lahore alone. In addition, RSS activists were engaged in providing various services like medical and supply of essential food. Swayamsevaks were asked to stay in their villages, town and cities to protect Hindus. As many as 1000 RSS volunteers lost their lives during this period but the work was not stopped. RSS workers worked under various banners like Hindu Raksha Samiti, Punjab Relief Committee and Vasthuhara Sahayata Samiti at the time of partition. RSS made arrangements for 50,000 refugees to provide them meal, clothes, medicine and other essentials by organising camps at various places.