On the occasion of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) completing 100 years, the Congress party has reignited the debate surrounding the organization’s character by citing Mahatma Gandhi’s description of it as a “communal body with a totalitarian outlook.” This claim surfaced during a recent statement made by Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh.
In his post on the social media platform X, Ramesh highlighted a conversation documented in Pyarelal’s book, reflecting Gandhi’s thoughts on the RSS. Pyarelal served as one of Gandhi’s closest aides for nearly three decades and assumed the role of secretary following Mahadev Desai’s death in 1942. His writings, particularly the book titled “Mahatma Gandhi: The Last Phase,” serve as standard reference works on Gandhi’s life and ideologies.
The first volume appeared in 1956 and includes a foreword by then-Indian President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, complemented by an endorsement from Vice President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. The second volume followed two years later, in which Ramesh pointed out, on page 440, Gandhi referred to the RSS during a conversation on September 12, 1947.
“On that page, Pyarelal writes that my great-grandfather described the RSS as a ‘communal body with a totalitarian outlook’,” Ramesh stated, further disclosing that this critique came just five months before Sardar Patel, who was the Union home minister, imposed a ban on the RSS.
Ramesh supported his claims by sharing a screenshot of the quoted passage, shining a light on Gandhi’s critical perspective of the organization. Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tribute to the RSS for its alleged contributions to nation-building on Wednesday, Ramesh reminded the PM of Patel’s historical remarks linking the RSS’s actions to an environment that ultimately led to Gandhi’s assassination.
“The Prime Minister has spoken much of the RSS this morning. Is he even aware of what Sardar Patel wrote to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee on July 18, 1948?” Ramesh queried. He then included excerpts from Patel’s letter, noting its concerns about the RSS and Hindu Mahasabha.
Patel’s correspondence detailed, “As regards the RSS and the Hindu Mahasabha, the case relating to Gandhi ji’s murder is sub-judice. However, our intelligence reports confirm that the activities of these two bodies, particularly the RSS, fostered a climate in which such a horrific tragedy became possible.”
In the same letter, Patel pointed out, “The activities of the RSS constituted a clear threat to the existence of the government and the State. Despite the ban, our reports show that they have not ceased. In fact, their defiance has increased, engaging in their subversive activities ever more vigorously.”
Continuing his critique, Ramesh referred to a significant address Patel delivered on December 19, 1948, at a large gathering in Jaipur where he underscored the dangers posed by the RSS.
This controversy arises as PM Modi, during the centenary celebrations of the RSS, defended the organization against its critics, emphasizing its commitment to national integrity. The Prime Minister remarked that the RSS has consistently avoided bitterness despite facing numerous attacks, functioning under the principle of prioritizing the nation.
The ongoing discourse surrounding Gandhi and the RSS reflects an enduring tension in Indian politics as stakeholders invoke historical figures to reinforce their ideological positions.
The Congress’s latest assertions spotlight the intricate relationship between political narratives and historical accounts, reminding citizens of the dynamic and often contentious dialogues that shape the Indian socio-political landscape.
