The objective behind creation of the BHU was that both Malaviya ji and RSS founder Dr Hedgewar were rooted in same thinking. An American author has mentioned, in his book on the University that because of congruence in objectives RSS and BHU had close linkages with each other. The evolution has been almost parallel. Immediately after the foundation of RSS by Dr Hedgewar, Madan Mohan Malaviya ji came to know about the initiative in the Hindu interests and he thought of meeting Dr Hedgewar. In 1928, Malaviya ji had gone to Akola in the annual convention of Hindu Mahasabha as elected President. On the same day, RSS founder Dr Hedgewar was also present in Akola. After the convention, Malaviyaji went to Nagpur and visited Dr Hedgewar at Mohite Wada, where the first RSS shakha was started and present RSS headquarter is located. Malaviya ji felt very bad seeing the descrepit condition of the place. His perception was that RSS requires funds so he told Dr Hedgewar that people call me as the ‘Prince of Beggars’ so I can collect as much amount you need for your cause. At this, Dr Hedgewar humbly replied that I need Jan (people) rather than Dhan (money), if you could help me by getting more people for this national cause then that will be the greatest help.
In 1928-29 itself, Dr Hedgewar sent a group of 10-12 students to the BHU. His goal was to establish contacts with students from various regions and involve them in spreading the Sangh work. It was not an accident that outside Maharashtra the first Sangh Shakha was started at BHU. Thus, RSS and BHU developed a strong bond.
In 1931, when Sri Guruji started teaching at BHU after completing MSc from the same university, it turned out to be a turning point both for Sri Guruji and the RSS. Sri Guruji became a swayamsevak in the same campus with the efforts of Bhaiya ji Dani. It was here that he was nick named ‘Guruji’ from his students. At the same BHU, he became Sanghachalak of Kashi.
In fact, there was an RSS office within the campus. In 1975, emergency was invoked and the then Vice-Chancellor was not very sympathetic to RSS, at least at that point of time. He perhaps took action to destroy the Sangh Bhawan in one night. By next morning even the debris were removed and Malaviya ji’s statue was also removed.
He used to say that patriotism is the real religion. One British Parliament member once said about Malaviya ji that had Malaviyaji not been a politician, he would have been the greatest educationist and had he not been an educationist, he would have been the greatest politician but he is both and that is unique. He was an all-rounder and has the capability to do anything.
