On Thursday, the Congress party marked the centenary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) by referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s critiques, claiming he described the organisation as a ‘communal body with a totalitarian outlook’. This assertion surfaced during the 100-year celebrations of the RSS, with Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh sharing details on social media.
Ramesh emphasised that Pyarelal, a close aide to Gandhi, documented their conversations in his significant work, “Mahatma Gandhi: The Last Phase”. This book, initially published in 1956, has gained recognition as a standard reference on Gandhi, with endorsements from notable figures such as Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.
In the second volume, released in 1958, Pyarelal details a conversation dated September 12, 1947, where Gandhi reportedly labelled the RSS as a ‘communal body with a totalitarian outlook’. Ramesh highlighted that this perspective underscores Gandhi’s concerns regarding the organisation’s ethos and actions.
Ramesh noted that just five months after Gandhi’s remarks, then Union Home Minister Sardar Patel imposed a ban on the RSS in the wake of Gandhi’s assassination. He provided a screenshot of Pyarelal’s account to further substantiate the Congress’s claims.
This recent assertion gains traction against the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent praise for the RSS, in which he acknowledged its contributions to nation-building. In response, the Congress party reminded Modi of Patel’s stark warnings about the atmosphere cultivated by RSS activities, claiming it played a role in the conditions that led to Gandhi’s murder.
Ramesh directly addressed Modi, questioning his awareness of Patel’s documented perspective from a letter dated July 18, 1948. In this correspondence to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Patel conveyed apprehensions about the RSS and the Hindu Mahasabha’s involvement surrounding Gandhi’s murder, stating that, “activities of these two bodies, particularly the former, created an atmosphere in which such a ghastly tragedy became possible”.
He further elaborated that Patel identified the activities of the RSS as a substantial threat to the government and state structure. Reports suggested that even post-ban, the RSS was engaging in various activities which increasingly posed challenges to the country’s stability.
In his communication, Ramesh also recalled a public gathering addressed by Patel in Jaipur on December 19, 1948, where Patel expounded on the RSS’s actions. Such historical references aim to frame the current narrative within a broader historical context, reflecting longstanding political tensions.
Modi’s remarks during the centenary celebrations had depicted the RSS as a resilient organisation that maintained its foundational principles amidst various challenges. However, Congress’s recent statements reveal the ongoing debates about the organisation’s historical and present-day implications in Indian society.
This controversy underscores the evolving political landscape in India, where historical interpretations and legacies continue to influence contemporary narratives. The Congress party’s revival of Gandhi’s critiques suggests an attempt to engage voters and spark dialogue regarding the fundamental values attributed to civil society and nationalism in India.
