June 29, 1975
Shri Madhav Rao Ji left for Firozabad by car in the early morning at 5.30 am. The Sangh Shiksha Varg [Officers Training Camp (OTC)] of Western Uttar Pradesh Zone was going on there. Sarsanghchalak Shri Balasaheb Deoras was there at that time. It was necessary to deliberate with him on what sort of eventualities might evolve and what kind of role the Sangh should play.
At the time of the clamping of Emergency, Balasaheb Deoras was present at the OTC camp at Kanpur. He had gone to Firozabad as per his pre-planned schedule. He did not consider it appropriate to amend his future schedule as well. On the evening of June 29, 1975, after the valedictory session of the OTC, he was supposed to leave for Agra by car and from Agra by train for Nagpur by GT Express.
At the same time, a new situation had emerged in the Rohtak Sangh ShikshaVarg. In the morning, police surrounded the Vaishya College, where the training camp was going on and asked everyone to leave the premises within two hours. Dr Om Prakash Mengi Ji was the Sarvadhikari (Overall in-charge) of the camp, who was Sanghchalak (President) of Jammu and Kashmir. Dr Mengi argued that such an order is inappropriate. The camp was scheduled to end in two days, and there was no untoward incident in the city, because of which this camp should be called off abruptly. The police officer replied that he had orders from the Superintendent of Police (SP), so he could not do anything. Dr Mengi tried to convince him that more than 1000 Swayamsevaks were undergoing training from different places and it would be unjust to send them off without any reason without completing the training camp. Therefore, he informed the police officer to convey to the SP that it would not be possible to follow his orders. The police officer, possibly an SHO rank, requested him to accompany him and convince the SP. Dr Mengi immediately got ready. He was also accompanied by a Karyakarta of Delhi, Shri Ramesh Prakash, in a police jeep. They reached the SP office with SHO.
Before leaving for the police station, he had deliberations with other Sangh office bearers there. Akhil Bharatiya Boudhik Pramukh (All India in-charge of intellectual activities), Shri Bapurao Moghe and Punjab Prant Pracharak Shri Thakur Ramsingh were also present there. All of them, after consultation, decided that under no circumstances not to abandon the training programme before the scheduled date. Also, in case the Government has imposed a ban on the Sangh, then no resistance should be made. Mogheji has given clear instructions to avoid such a situation where all Swayamsevaks in the camp would get arrested.
The SP did not take any responsibility and passed it on to the Deputy Commissioner (DC). “I have strict orders from the DC. If you want to have any discussion regarding this, talk to him”, the SP replied politely.
“So, you arrange my meeting with the DC”, Dr Mengi requested.
When the SP rang up the DC and told him that the in-charge of the RSS camp wanted to meet him, he called them at his home.
“You have not dispersed yet?”, the DC shot a question immediately after taking a seat.
“Why do you want us to get dispersed? We want to know this”, Dr Mengi made a counter-question.
“I need not answer to this ‘why’. You have to vacate that location before 9.00 am at any cost”. “How is this possible?”. DC said, “That is your responsibility”.
Dr Mengi tried to convince him, “Sriman, this training camp is of one month. Today is the twnty-eighth day. Day after tomorrow morning it is going to conclude. Only two days are left”.
DC: I do not want to hear all this. You have to follow my instructions.
Dr Mengi: At least, let us know the reason. Is there any mishap in the city? DC: No.
Dr Mengi: Is there any threat to the peace?
DC: No, No. How can you pose a threat?
Dr Mengi: Then why are you hell-bent on dispersing the camp prematurely?
DC: There is no point in dragging this discussion. You have to conclude this camp. If you do not do that by 9.00 am, then I will have to use the police force to do so.
Dr Mengi: Sir, such intimidation is of no use. Without knowing the reason, we cannot conclude the training camp. As per your narration, neither untoward incident has taken place in the city, nor is it likely to happen. In such a situation, your order is unlawful. We are not in a position to comply with the same. Yes, if you give any appropriate reason, we might think the same.
DC, too, was taken aback by the bold stand taken by Dr Mengi. Notwithstanding, he retorted, “So, do you want to know the reason”.
“Definitely”, Dr Mengireplied.
DC: Then listen. A ban is imposed on RSS.
“Neither we have any such news nor it has been announced on All India Radio”, Ramesh Prakash intervened immediately.
I had a conversation with RSS functionaries at Rohtak this morning, and they did not mention that there was a ban. Ramesh Kumar asserted with confidence.
DC: I have received this message via wireless
Now, Ramesh JI Kumar and Dr Mengi started staring at each other. As per the earlier decision, there was no point in dragging the issue. The only alternative was to seek more time to conclude the training camp.
Ramesh ji asked, “When was ban imposed”?
DC: I don’t know. I received the wireless message today early morning. So better disperse as fast as feasible.
Ramesh Ji: But how can all get dispersed by 9.00 am?
DC: Why? What is the difficulty?
Ramesh ji: Swayamsevaks from different locations have arrived here. Ultimately, their departure can be planned as per the availability of buses and trains.
DC: All right. The train for Delhi leaves around 11.00 am. I can give you time till then.
Ramesh Ji: Only people going towards Delhi can go by that train. The train towards Jind and Bhatinda etc., goes at 6.00 pm. So, give us time till then.
DC: I will arrange special buses. You must leave Rohtak by 11.00 am.
Ramesh Ji: For the nearer places like Ambala, Karnal, Sangrur, Bhatinda etc., you can make the arrangements. What about the people from Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, Kangra, Kullu, Shimla etc.?
Dr Mengi: You are an efficient administrator. Maintaining law and order is your responsibility. Will there be law and order if you disperse over thousand people from one place simultaneously? Think practically. Giving time till 6.00 pm is only in your interest.
DC remained silent for a while. Dr Mengi’s assertion did make an impact. Then he said, “Alright, everyone must leave by 6.00 pm”.
“We assure you that”, Dr Mengi and Ramesh ji returned to the camp.
It was decided to have the valedictory session at 11.00 am. In the valedictory speech, Shri Bapurao Moghe informed the Swayamsevaks about the ban on Sangh, as per the information given by the DC. He also advised them to wait for further instructions after reaching their respective destinations. He also gave the following instruction: “Do not organise regular Shakhas; Use other means to maintain lively contact with each other; Nothing to be done in reaction. We will not tolerate the ban and will try to change the situation. You will get the instructions regarding this at your place. Do not forget that this is a test of our patience and duty.” This was the tone of his valedictory speech.
After the Deekshant (convocation) ceremony, everyone left for their respective places as per the availability of trains and buses. The happening location of the camp looked deserted by evening. Near the Vaishya college, bus stand and railway station, activities of the secret police increased. It was clear that they were in search of some important RSS leaders. So Thakur Ramsingh ji adorned a lungi instead of a dhoti, wrapped a headgear and left from the rear gate in the disguise of a villager. He walked through a trail to reach the main road. A motorcycle was ready there. By the same, he reached Bahadurgarh, and from there, he left for Delhi by bus. Shri Bapurao Moghe also changed into a pant shirt, and from the back gate Dr Ashok Garg dropped him on a bike to the bus stand; from there, he also left for Delhi.
On reaching Delhi, Bapurao Moghe learnt that there was no ban imposed on Sangh, and the Rohtak DC had lied to them. This left an indelible impression on him for 4-5 days.
I also came to know in the evening that the Rohtak training camp was forcibly concluded by telling a lie. I established contact with a Karyakarta and asked him to pass on this information to Shri Madhav Rao Ji at Firozabad. Somehow, this news did not reach him.
