The Congress party on Thursday sparked a political debate by citing Mahatma Gandhi’s remarks about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as it commemorates its 100th anniversary. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh stated that Gandhi referred to the RSS as a “communal body with a totalitarian outlook” based on Pyarelal’s accounts, a close aide of Gandhi.
Ramesh made this assertion in a social media post, emphasizing that Pyarelal served on Gandhi’s personal staff for nearly three decades and succeeded Mahadev Desai as his secretary in 1942. He highlighted that Pyarelal’s writings are critical references in understanding Gandhi’s ideologies.
In 1956, Pyarelal published the first volume of “Mahatma Gandhi: The Last Phase,” receiving accolades from notable figures including India’s first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Vice President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. Ramesh pointed specifically to a conversation recorded in the book from September 12, 1947, whereby Gandhi labeled the RSS as a “communal body with a totalitarian outlook.”
Ramesh noted the significance of this statement, especially given that it occurred shortly after India gained independence. Five months later, then Union Home Minister Sardar Patel banned the RSS due to concerns over its activities.
In the backdrop of recent remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising the RSS for its role in nation-building, Congress retraced historical assertions made by Patel regarding the organization. Ramesh reminded that Patel attributed the atmosphere leading to Gandhi’s assassination partly to the activities of the RSS.
He questioned whether the Prime Minister was aware of a letter Patel sent to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee on July 18, 1948. In this correspondence, Patel remarked, “As regards the RSS and the Hindu Mahasabha, the case relating to Gandhi ji’s murder is sub-judice, but our reports indicate that an atmosphere created by these organizations, particularly the RSS, made such a tragedy possible.”
Additionally, Patel described the actions of the RSS as a formidable threat to governmental stability, stating that reports indicated the organization’s subversive activities had persisted despite the ban. He feared these activities were growing in assertiveness.
In another social media update, Ramesh referenced Patel’s powerful speech at a major gathering in Jaipur on December 19, 1948, where he spoke earnestly on the RSS. This historical lens serves to contrast current portrayals of the RSS, amplifying the ongoing debate regarding its role in contemporary Indian politics.
Participating in the centenary celebrations of the RSS, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the organization’s principles of prioritizing nation-building over past attacks and controversies. His endorsement further accentuates the national dialogue surrounding the RSS’s longstanding presence in Indian society.
The Congress’s invocation of Gandhi’s perspective seeks not only to challenge contemporary narratives but also to remind the populace of the historical context surrounding the RSS and its alleged totalitarian undertones. The alignment of past sentiments with current events indicates a continued ideological clash in Indian politics.
