Mahatma Gandhi and Sangh: A tale of civility and mutual respect

On 30th January 1948, the then Sarsanghchal Shri Guru Ji was participating in an event in Madras when he got the news of Gandhi Ji’s assassination. He wrote a letter to Prime minister Pt. Nehru, Home minister Sardar Patel and Gandhi Ji’s son Devdas expressing his condolences.

Guruji wrote in it, “I am deeply hurt after hearing about the demise of a great personality by a brutal and deadly attack. In the present tough situation, it has caused an immeasurable loss to the country. May God give us the ability to, fill the void created by the demise of the incredible organizer and bear this great burden on our shoulders.”

To express his respect towards Gandhi ji, he informed all Swayamsevaks of the country to stall the daily activities of Sangh for 13 days. In that Guru ji writes, “to express our condolences after Mahatma Ji’s demise, a mourning period of 13 days should be observed and all daily activities shall be suspended.”

Shri Guru ji immediately concluded his journey and returned to Nagpur. On the very next day Shri Guru Ji wrote a detailed letter to the Prime minister and Home Minister, in which he writes, “Yesterday in Chennai, I heard this dreadful thing that a thoughtless and corrupt-hearted man has committed an abominable act by firing at the great man, leading to his death. This condemnable act has proved to be a blot on our society in front of the whole world.”

This entire correspondence is available in the book Justice on Trial and Complete works of Guru Ji.

In 1934, when Gandhiji was residing at Jamnalal Bajaj’s residence, he attended a camp of the RSS being conducted nearby. During his conversations there, he was happy to learn that the camp included swayamsevaks from the Scheduled Castes and everyone lived together in fraternity. Later, when Gandhiji was staying in what was then called a Bhangi colony (sweeper’s colony), after Independence, a morning shakha used to be conducted in front of his residence. As per his wishes, more than 500 Swayamsevaks, above the mandal level, assembled and Gandhiji addressed them.

He started his address with these words: “I had visited the RSS camp years ago at Wardha. At that time the founder Shri Hedgewar was alive… and I was impressed by their rigorous discipline, the complete absence of untouchability and simplicity. Since then the sangh has grown. I have always believed that any organisation which is inspired by the ideal of service and self-sacrifice, is bound to grow in strength.”

On the occasion of the birth centenary of Mahatma Gandhi, a statue of Gandhi Ji was unveiled by Shri Guru Ji in Sangli, Maharashtra on 6th October 1969. In his address Shri Guru Ji said, “We have congregated here on an important and pious occasion. 100 years ago, on this day a child was born in Saurashtra. Several other children would have taken birth on that day but we don’t celebrate their birth centenaries. Mahatma Gandhi was born like any other common man but he attained the status of a great man due to his deeds and love in his conscience. We should mould our life on his lines. We should try and follow his life as much as we can”

“My last meeting with Mahatma ji was in 1947. At that time riots broke in Delhi. Even those who were non-violent by tradition had become cruel, rogue and heartless… Mahatma Ji said to me: ‘See, what is happening?” he added.

“I said: ‘This is our misfortune. British used to say when we leave; you people will slit each other’s throats. Today, the same thing is happening. It is bringing disrepute to us in the whole world.’ In the prayer meeting of that day, Gandhi Ji took my name with pride and expressed my thoughts. It was my great fortune that the great Mahatma took my name. In this entire context, I reiterate that we should imitate Gandhiji. If we act on Mahatma Ji’s thoughts we shall reawaken the great Hindu Dharma that imparts such lessons.”

(This speech has been published in collected works of M S Golwalkar, vol.1 page 208-221)

Today, while the nation is observing the 73rd death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, it is important for the public to know about the respect the Sangh and Mahatma Gandhi had for each other.