According to Dattopant Thengadi, the founder of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and a two-time Rajya Sabha MP, the second Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar (Guruji), used to tell swayamsevaks: “Those of you who did not see Dr. Hedgewar, the founder of the RSS, should observe Balasaheb Deoras. You will see Dr. Hedgewar in him.” Guruji often remarked, “It is because of Balasaheb Deoras that I am called the Sarsanghchalak.”
Madhukar Dattatraya Deoras, fondly known as Balasaheb Deoras, the third Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), was born on December 11, 1915, in a Marathi Deshastha Rigvedi Brahmin family. Although he is often less discussed compared to his predecessors, Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, Deoras’ tenure redefined and expanded the role of the RSS, redefining the organisation, transforming the RSS into a powerful socio-political movement that brought Hindu values and aspirations into the mainstream discourse. Through his work, Deoras played a key role in reawakening Hindu consciousness and asserting it nationally, making the RSS a bold voice for Hindu society in the post-independence era.
Balasaheb Deoras was not just any swayamsevak; he was part of the first batch of swayamsevaks to join the first shakha established by Dr. Hedgewar at Mohite Bara, Nagpur in 1926. Though he only became the chief of the Sangh in 1973, Deoras was by no means a new face. He had been a part of the organisation since the age of twelve and had established himself as a favourite of both Hedgewar and Golwalkar. As Kanungo puts it, “Deoras was thus rightly described as a true child of the organisation.”
This early initiation into the RSS, combined with grooming by Dr Hedgewar, shaped him into a staunch nationalist and brilliant strategist. Deoras deeply understood the needs of the Hindu masses and recognised the importance of teaching and developing unity, strength, and pride in their culture. He quickly became an active organisation member and worked in various roles, including organising shakhas and training new members. In 1940, Deoras was arrested by the British colonial authorities for his participation in the Quit India Movement, a civil disobedience campaign aimed at forcing the British to leave India. He was sentenced to two years in prison and was released in 1942.
After his release from prison, Deoras resumed his activities in the RSS and rose through the organisation’s ranks. He was appointed as the prant pracharak (regional organiser) of the Vidarbha region in Maharashtra in 1951 and later served as the prant pracharak of Madhya Pradesh.
In 1964, Deoras was appointed as the joint general secretary of the RSS and worked closely with the then Sarsanghchalak, Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar. After Golwalkar died in 1973, Deoras was elected as his successor and served as the Sarsanghchalak of the RSS until he died in 1994.
Under his leadership, the RSS launched several initiatives aimed at promoting Indian culture, including the establishment of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari and the Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation, which provides education to children in rural India.
He was known for his deep understanding of the socio-political environment of his time. He was a strategic thinker who realised the importance of adapting to changing circumstances. Unlike his predecessors, who focused primarily on cultural and spiritual awakening, Deoras emphasised the need for the RSS to actively engage with the socio-political challenges facing Hindu society. He believed that for the Hindu community to thrive, it needed to assert itself culturally, politically, and socially. This belief drove him to expand the RSS’s activities beyond the confines of shakhas and into the broader societal arena, making the organisation more relevant to the common masses.
One of the most transformative aspects of Deoras’ leadership was his commitment to eradicating caste-based discrimination within Hindu society. During a time when caste divisions were deeply entrenched, Balasaheb took a revolutionary step by emphasising equality among all Hindus. He demonstrated his beliefs early on by insisting that swayamsevaks visiting his home should be treated equally, regardless of caste, with no separate utensils or distinctions.
In a lecture at the Vasant Vyakhyanmalain 1974, Deoras declared untouchability a “grave error,” and that it must be eradicated. He saw caste discrimination as a significant obstacle to true Hindu unity and urged swayamsevaks to work tirelessly to integrate all sections of society. Under his leadership, the RSS launched initiatives to dismantle caste barriers, reaffirming that Hindu unity could only be achieved by bridging internal divides. This call for social equality transformed RSS into a more inclusive movement for all Hindus, the roots of which Savarkar put in Deoras’s thoughts.
Deoras’ efforts to combat caste discrimination were not limited to rhetoric. He actively encouraged swayamsevaks to work in Dalit communities, build relationships, and provide support in areas such as education, healthcare, and social welfare. Balasaheb Deoras’ reading and interpretation of Hindu scriptures convinced him that none of them sanctioned untouchability, which was a gruesome social practice of mistreating a particular section of the population. He even persuaded his orthodox mother of this truth, leading her to wash the plates of the untouchables (or Harijans) with whom the young Deoras would often dine at his home. In 1973, a year after becoming the Sarsanghchalak, Deoras declared, “If untouchability is not wrong, nothing in the world is wrong,” similar to the spirit of Abraham Lincoln’s denunciation of slavery.
To uplift the poor, marginalised, Dalits, and tribal communities, Balasaheb Deoras, after consulting with RSS volunteers, founded Seva Bharati on October 2, 1979. This organisation runs thousands of projects seamlessly, including schools, libraries, cultural centres, and coaching centres for special children. Beyond education, it plays a leading role in child welfare, healthcare, disaster relief, and rehabilitation efforts.
‘Hindu sare ek, ped ek hai shakha anek’ (All Hindus are one; it is one tree, even though it has innumerable branches); ‘Dhokha, lalach, petrodollar, nahin chalega, nahin chalega’ (fraud, corruption and petrol dollars shall not prevail); ‘Ek hi patni, ek Vidhan, Hindu ho ya Musalman’ (let there be one law and monogamy –– for Hindus and Muslims). These slogans reminded one of the ideal ideological thrust of the Deoras era by proposing a Hindu unity on the foundation of an anti-Muslim tirade.
Another slogan which needs a special mention is ‘Hindu Hindu sab mil Jao, chooa chhot ka bhoot bhagao’ (let all Hindus unite and exercise The monster of untouchability). Golwalkar never gave priority to the abolition of untouchability. The Meenakshipuram conversion compelled the RSS to adopt a clear line. Deoras also understood that the RSS had to co-opt the Untouchables on a much bigger scale to become a national political force.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s imposition of the Emergency in 1975 was a dark period in India’s democratic history. Under Balasaheb Deoras’ leadership, the RSS stood firm against the authoritarian regime. He and numerous swayamsevaks were imprisoned during this time, but this did not deter the movement. From behind bars, Deoras continued to send messages to swayamsevaks, urging them to resist the undemocratic regime.
Balasaheb Deoras’ tenure as Sarsanghchalakcoincided with major historical events that placed the RSS at the centre of Indian politics. He played a significant role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, recognising the unifying power of Lord Ram as a symbol for Hindus across the country. The Ayodhya movement, spearheaded by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), an RSS affiliate, became a major mobilising force that united millions of Hindus in a common cause: reclaiming the birthplace of Lord Ram. The Ram Janmabhoomi movement galvanised millions of Hindus, cutting across regional, linguistic, and caste barriers.
Under the leadership of Deoras and likes, this movement was not merely about building a temple; it was about reclaiming Hindu identity and restoring the pride that had long been undermined.
Balasaheb’s strategic insights also led to the formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1980, which succeeded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh as the political arm of the RSS. Deoras was instrumental in defining the RSS’s approach to political engagement, recognising that cultural resurgence needed to be accompanied by political power. His leadership was characterised by pragmatism—he was willing to make political compromises if they served the greater cause of Hindu unity and empowerment.
Balasaheb Deoras was a leader who believed in introspection and continuous evolution. In a landmark speech in 1985, he called upon swayamsevaks to shed negativity and constantly strive for self-improvement. His leadership style was characterised by strict discipline and openness to change, making the organisation more adaptable to evolving socio-political dynamics. Under his aegis, the ABVP and the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) expanded their bases amongst students and workers respectively.
Deoras expanded the reach of the RSS beyond its traditional boundaries, encouraging the establishment of shakhas across the country. He understood that the growth of the RSS had to be both numerical and qualitative. He emphasised the importance of social service, and under his guidance, the RSS undertook numerous initiatives to serve society, especially during natural disasters. His emphasis on social work helped create a positive image of the RSS among the masses.
Legacy of Balasaheb Deoras
Balasaheb Deoras passed away on June 17, 1996, but his legacy endures. He was the leader who brought the RSS from the shadows into the mainstream, making it an influential force in Indian society and politics. His tenure saw the expansion of the RSS’s influence, the establishment of key affiliates like the BJP, and a fight against caste discrimination. Deoras’ vision of a united Hindu society, free from internal divisions and confident in its identity, inspires the RSS and its affiliated organisations.
Balasaheb Deoras was not just a leader; he was the driving force behind a movement that sought to awaken the Hindu spirit, challenge societal divisions, and build a society based on equality, pride, and cultural resurgence. His life and work remind us that the path to a strong nation lies in unity and that true leadership involves inspiring millions to work for a greater cause.
Deoras’ contributions extended beyond the Sangh. He played a key role in connecting the RSS with other organisations, including educational and social service bodies, to ensure that the Sangh’s influence permeated different spheres of society. He believed that the strength of the RSS lay in its ability to adapt and evolve, and he constantly sought new avenues for the Sangh to grow and contribute to the nation. He was also instrumental in promoting the RSS’s ideology internationally, encouraging swayamsevaks to settle abroad to establish shakhas and spread the Sangh’s message beyond Indian borders. This international expansion was part of his vision to make Hindu culture and values recognised globally, and today, the RSS has a presence in several countries, thanks in part to Deoras’ foresight.
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