RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar stated in Kochi on November 14 that Swargiya Ranga Hariji was equal to a Rishi. Addressing the Ranga Hariji Remembrance Day programme on the occasion of his second death anniversary, Sunil ji said that real change can only be brought through Dharma. He delivered the keynote address on “Civic Dharma and the Prosperity of the Rashtra” (Poura Dharma & Rashtra Vaibhav).
Ranga Hariji was known as one of the senior-most Sangh Pracharaks, an intellectual giant, polyglot, celebrated author, and an organiser par excellence. He served as the Akhil Bharatiya Boudhik Pramukh for several years and authored more than 60 books in various languages.
Sunil ji said that despite being a treasure of knowledge and wisdom, Hariji always maintained simplicity in his behaviour. He possessed the qualities of Rishis and remained a constant source of inspiration for Sangh swayamsevaks and karyakartas. He recalled Hariji’s leading role in preparing the Guruji Samgraha (Complete Works of Guruji) during the Guruji centenary period.
He further pointed out that changes in society can only be brought by people who walk the path of Dharma. Only when we understand the concept of Bharatmata can we understand our duty to our Janmabhumi. He said that school curricula gave undue prominence to Mughal kings, and therefore students never got the opportunity to study good governance and the greatness of this country. The Sangh, he said, gives utmost priority to our Mathrubhumi. A country transforms only when its people dedicate themselves to its interest.
He said that history shows how power was used when various ideologies came to rule. He cited how communist regimes and European powers imposed their authority with cruelty, and remarked that this is where the relevance of Dharma emerges. Dharma, he stressed, must be followed voluntarily, not by force.
Sunil ji further said that Param Poojaneeya Guruji (RSS’ second Sarsanghchalak) often spoke about the concept of Rashtra. He noted that Rashtra and Nation are frequently misinterpreted. When society follows Dharma, good leaders naturally rise; when Dharma declines, the wrong people reach positions of power. Our scriptures, he said, highlight this clearly. The Yajurveda speaks about Nagarik Kartavya (citizen’s duty). When truth collapses, Dharma collapses too. He emphasised the importance of the Panchaparivartan, highlighted by Poojaneeya Sarsanghchalak Mohanji Bhagwat, describing it as the path towards Dharma.
He added that the human body consists of the Panchtatwas (Panchabhutas), and when they remain in balance, the sixth tatwa—Ishwariya tatwa—emerges, sustaining life. When these elements fall out of balance, death follows.
Earlier, P.R. Sasidharan, Dakshin Kshethriya Karyakari Sadasya and former Kerala Pranth Pracharak, delivered the Ranga Hari commemoration speech. Sasidharan said that Hariji had the unique ability to draw people towards him rather than going to them. He taught that the nation itself is the murti to be worshipped, thereby imparting organisational science to swayamsevaks. Hariji used to say that the Sangh is engaged in creation, not construction. He believed that those who practise the Gita in life are the true sajjans (good souls).
Hariji conducted extensive research to trace elements of nationalism in the Vedas, quoting from Sripad Damodar Satvalekar’s works; he translated Satvalekar’s book “The Concept of Rashtra in Vedas”. He guided swayamsevaks in Sangh-inspired organisations, advising that they should not seek total control.
The event was presided over by Kochi Mahanagar Sanghchalak Adv. P. Vijayakumar. All dignitaries paid floral tributes before the image of Ranga Hariji.
