Sangh@100: K.B. Hedgewar’s new biography sheds light on the evolution of the Sangh and its founder
“Today, the Sangh begins,” thirty-six-year-old Keshav Baliram Hedgewar told a handful of people, including some of his friends, who had gathered at his house on Vijaya Dashami, September 27, 1925. He may not have foreseen the magnitude of his succinct words, but a hundred years later, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has grown into a formidable force. Its influence extends from the highest echelons of government to the grassroots, from temples to the training grounds in over 51,000 locations across the country.
Last year, the RSS added 10,000 more daily shakhas, bringing the total to 83,129. Its weekly meetings stood at 32,147, while the monthly figure surpassed 12,000, reaching a total of 1,27,367. In a data-driven world, these numbers offer a glimpse into how the Sangh, which began in a humble setting, has grown into world’s largest voluntary organisation promoting the Indic thought movement, though it often finds itself at odds with other political ideological streams in the country.
Hedgewar led the RSS for nearly 15 years before passing away at the early age of 51. Sangh’s second chief, M.S. Golwalkar, who served as Sarsanghchalak for 32 years, then took the organisation to new heights. In its centenary year, interest in the RSS is only set to grow, as is curiosity about its icons and ideological movement. A new book on the Sangh’s founder, Hedgewar: A Definitive Biography by Sachin Nandha, aims to bridge the gap in understanding this “enigmatic” personality.
The biography provides insights into the formative years of the RSS founder, his experiences in the Indian freedom struggle, and how he navigated societal and political complexities to establish the organisation. It explores Hedgewar’s engagement with prominent political figures of his time, including Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Subhas Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi, and B.S. Moonje, presenting the evolution of the Sangh’s thought and, more specifically, the personality of its founder. While Hedgewar shines in the author’s portrayal, other historical figures receive a critical and an opinionated look.
To compile this detailed account of Hedgewar’s life and contributions to Indian polity, the author consulted RSS archives and the PM Museum Library.
Described as a “philosopher, thought leader, and seasoned strategist with a successful career in private equity,” Nandha is the Director General of a London-based research and advisory organisation. His first book aims to present the Sangh and its founder in a fresh light, particularly for the new generation of Indians settled across the world, and also those who are observing India’s rise globally. The author provides some incisive insights into Hedgewar’s motivations and strategic decisions.
“People have always viewed India through the prism of Gandhi, which may have served well in understanding India’s struggle for freedom, but it has grossly misconstrued the reality of India in the twenty-first century,” he writes.
He further contends: “It is now imperative that, in order to understand modern India, we must view it through the legacy of Hedgewar. Indeed, I argue that Hedgewar has become the father of the Indian nation—ironically, a title he and the RSS would have abhorred.”
The biography frames the Sangh’s evolution and attempts to address many questions surrounding the politically charged pre-independence era. It provides detailed insights into Hedgewar’s intellectual and strategic thinking and what shaped his ideology. Those interested in Indian history, nationalism, and political movements will find the book valuable, though some may disagree with the author’s interpretation of certain historical events and personalities.
Hedgewar: A Definitive Biography
Author: Sachin Nandha
Published by: Penguin, Vintage Books
Pages: 432
Price: Rs 999
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