Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, also known as M. S. Golwalkar or Guruji, was a prominent Indian nationalist and the second Sarsanghchalak (supreme leader) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), one of the largest and most influential Hindu nationalist organizations in India. He was born on February 19, 1906, in Ramtek, Maharashtra, and passed away on June 5, 1973, in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
Golwalkar played a crucial role in shaping the ideology and direction of the RSS, and his vision of Hindu nationalism continues to be a powerful force in Indian politics today. He was deeply committed to the idea of a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu nation) and saw the promotion of Hindu values and culture as essential to India’s future.
Golwalkar was a prolific writer and thinker, and his books and essays continue to be widely read and debated. His most famous work, Bunch of Thoughts, outlines his vision of Hindu nationalism and the role of the RSS in promoting it.
Despite his controversial views, Golwalkar remains a revered figure among many Hindu nationalists in India, and his ideas continue to influence the country’s political and social discourse.
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar education
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar completed his early education in Ramtek, Maharashtra. He then moved to Nagpur to pursue further studies. Golwalkar obtained a degree in Science from the Morris College in Nagpur, and then went on to complete his Master’s degree in Zoology from the Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi.
Golwalkar was an accomplished scholar, and he was particularly interested in the study of Hindu history and culture. He was deeply influenced by the works of Swami Vivekananda, and he saw the promotion of Hindu values and culture as essential to India’s future.
After completing his education, Golwalkar returned to Nagpur and became involved in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), one of the largest and most influential Hindu nationalist organizations in India. He quickly rose through the ranks of the organization, and in 1940 he was appointed as the second Sarsanghchalak (supreme leader) of the RSS, a position he held until his death in 1973.
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar had a close relationship with the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi, where he completed his Master’s degree in Zoology. Golwalkar was deeply influenced by the teachings of the university’s founder, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, who was a prominent Hindu nationalist and social reformer.
Golwalkar was a regular visitor to the BHU campus, and he often spoke at the university’s events and functions. He maintained close ties with the faculty and students of the university, and he was actively involved in promoting the study of Hindu culture and history.
Golwalkar’s association with BHU continued throughout his life, and he remained a staunch supporter of the university’s mission and values. In recognition of his contributions to the university, BHU awarded him an honorary degree in 1971.
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar was a regular speaker at various events and functions in Banaras (also known as Varanasi) during his time as the Sarsanghchalak (supreme leader) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Banaras is the location of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where Golwalkar had completed his Master’s degree in Zoology and where he had a close relationship with the faculty and students.
Golwalkar often visited Banaras to participate in various cultural, religious, and educational events. He would speak on a range of topics related to Hindu nationalism, culture, and history. He was known for his eloquence and his ability to connect with his audience, and his speeches were often well-attended and widely discussed.
In addition to his public speeches, Golwalkar was also involved in several initiatives aimed at promoting the study of Hindu culture and history in Banaras. He played a key role in the establishment of the Bharat Kala Bhavan, a museum at BHU that houses an extensive collection of Indian art and artifacts. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, a global organization that promotes Hindu culture and values.
why join RSS ??
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar was drawn to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) because he believed in its mission of promoting Hindu nationalism and social reform. Golwalkar joined the RSS in 1931, while he was a teacher at a school in Nagpur.
Golwalkar was deeply influenced by the writings of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who had been a prominent leader of the Hindu nationalist movement in India. Savarkar had advocated for the creation of a Hindu Rashtra, or a Hindu nation-state, that would be based on Hindu cultural and religious values. This idea resonated with Golwalkar, and he saw the RSS as a vehicle for realizing this vision.
In addition to his ideological alignment with the RSS, Golwalkar was also drawn to the organization’s emphasis on physical fitness and discipline. He saw these qualities as essential for the creation of a strong and vibrant Hindu society.
Overall, Golwalkar’s decision to join the RSS was a reflection of his deep commitment to Hindu nationalism and social reform, as well as his belief in the power of collective action and discipline to bring about social change.
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar and Keshav Baliram Hedgewar had a close and longstanding relationship that was instrumental in shaping the direction of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Hedgewar, who founded the RSS in 1925, served as the organization’s first Sarsanghchalak (supreme leader) until his death in 1940. Golwalkar, who had joined the RSS in 1931, became Hedgewar’s trusted lieutenant and was widely regarded as his successor.
Golwalkar played an important role in shaping the ideological and organizational direction of the RSS, and he worked closely with Hedgewar to build and expand the organization. Under their leadership, the RSS grew rapidly and became a major force in Indian politics and society.
Although Golwalkar succeeded Hedgewar as the Sarsanghchalak of the RSS, he continued to view Hedgewar as his mentor and guide. In his writings and speeches, Golwalkar frequently referred to Hedgewar as the “founder and builder” of the RSS, and he credited Hedgewar with laying the foundation for the organization’s success.
Overall, the relationship between Golwalkar and Hedgewar was characterized by mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to the vision of a strong and vibrant Hindu society.
When join RSS
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1931. At the time, he was a teacher at a college in Nagpur, and he was drawn to the RSS’s vision of a strong and united Hindu society. He quickly rose through the ranks of the organization, and he became a close associate of the RSS’s founder, Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. In 1940, after Hedgewar’s death, Golwalkar became the second Sarsanghchalak (supreme leader) of the RSS, a position he held until his own death in 1973. Under Golwalkar’s leadership, the RSS grew in size and influence, becoming one of the most powerful and influential organizations in Indian politics and society.
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar became the second Sarsanghchalak (supreme leader) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) after the death of the organization’s founder, Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, in 1940. Golwalkar was a trusted lieutenant of Hedgewar, and the two men had worked closely together to build and expand the RSS.
Golwalkar was widely respected within the RSS for his intellectual and organizational abilities, as well as his unwavering commitment to the organization’s vision of a strong and united Hindu society. He had also played an instrumental role in expanding the RSS’s reach and influence beyond its Nagpur base, and he had established a strong network of RSS workers and supporters across India.
After Hedgewar’s death, Golwalkar was the obvious choice to succeed him as the Sarsanghchalak. He had already been serving as the RSS’s “Sah-Sarsanghchalak” (joint supreme leader) for several years, and he had the support of the organization’s leadership and rank-and-file members.
As the second Sarsanghchalak of the RSS, Golwalkar continued to build on the foundation laid by Hedgewar, expanding the organization’s reach and influence and further strengthening its ideological and organizational structures. Under Golwalkar’s leadership, the RSS became a major force in Indian politics and society, and it continues to wield significant influence in India to this day.
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar in USA
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, the second Sarsanghchalak (supreme leader) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), visited the United States in 1954 at the invitation of the Hindu community in America. His visit was part of a broader effort by the RSS to establish contacts with the Indian diaspora and to promote its vision of a strong and united Hindu society.
During his visit, Golwalkar gave a number of speeches and lectures at various Hindu temples and cultural centers across the United States. He also met with a number of prominent members of the Indian-American community and discussed issues of mutual interest.
Golwalkar’s visit to the United States was not without controversy, however. He was criticized by some Indian-Americans for his alleged links to the Hindu nationalist movement in India, which was seen by some as a threat to India’s secular and democratic values. Some also accused him of promoting a narrow and exclusivist version of Hinduism that was at odds with the diverse and pluralistic traditions of India.
Despite these criticisms, Golwalkar’s visit to the United States was seen as a significant milestone in the RSS’s efforts to establish itself as a global organization and to promote its vision of a strong and united Hindu society. His visit also helped to strengthen ties between the Indian-American community and the RSS, and it paved the way for future visits by other RSS leaders to the United States and other countries around the world.
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, the second Sarsanghchalak (supreme leader) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), did not visit many countries during his lifetime. He primarily focused on strengthening the organization within India and promoting its vision of a strong and united Hindu society.
However, Golwalkar did make a few international trips during his tenure as Sarsanghchalak. Apart from his visit to the United States in 1954, which I mentioned in my previous response, he also visited Nepal and Bhutan in 1960 to attend a Hindu conference.
It’s worth noting that the RSS as an organization has expanded its presence globally in recent years, with branches and affiliated organizations in several countries around the world. However, Golwalkar’s international visits were primarily focused on establishing connections with the Indian diaspora and promoting the organization’s vision within the broader Hindu community.
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar dialogue
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, also known as Guruji, was a prolific writer and speaker, and he delivered many memorable speeches and dialogues throughout his life. Here are a few quotes attributed to him:
- “The foreign races in Hindustan must either adopt the Hindu culture and language, must learn to respect and hold in reverence Hindu religion, must entertain no idea but that of the glorification of the Hindu race and culture… or may stay in the country, wholly subordinated to the Hindu nation, claiming nothing, deserving no privileges, far less any preferential treatment not even citizen’s rights.”
- “The ultimate goal of this organization is to make this country Hindu Rashtra [a Hindu nation], to make this land a land of eternal Hinduism, to bring back ancient Hindu Rashtra.”
- “Hindus and Muslims are two separate and distinct cultures, and thus, they cannot coexist in one nation.”
- “The Hindu religion is not an exclusive religion. In it there is room for the worship of all prophets in the world. It is not a missionary religion in the ordinary sense of the term. It has no doubt absorbed many tribes in its fold, but this absorption has been an evolutionary, imperceptible character.”
- “We must keep our blood pure and non-violent. We must keep our heart pure and strong. We must keep our mind pure and sharp.”
It’s important to note that Golwalkar’s views and statements have been controversial and have generated debate and criticism from many quarters.
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar problems
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, also known as Guruji, was a controversial figure in Indian politics and society. Some of the problems and criticisms associated with him and his ideology include:
- Communalism: Golwalkar was known for his staunch Hindu nationalist views and his belief in the creation of a Hindu Rashtra or Hindu nation. His emphasis on the Hindu identity of India and his exclusionary views towards other religions and cultures have been criticized as divisive and communal.
- Casteism: Golwalkar’s ideology has been accused of perpetuating and promoting the caste system, which is a hierarchical social system that divides people based on their birth and assigns them different privileges and restrictions. Many critics argue that the RSS’s emphasis on Hindu unity and cultural revivalism reinforces the caste system and its inequalities.
- Controversial Statements: Some of Golwalkar’s statements and writings have been controversial and have generated debate and criticism. For example, his praise for Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime, his comments about Muslims and Christians, and his views on women and gender roles have been widely criticized as bigoted and regressive.
- Lack of Democratic Values: Critics have accused Golwalkar and the RSS of being anti-democratic and intolerant of dissenting views. The organization’s hierarchical structure and its emphasis on discipline and obedience have been seen as incompatible with democratic values and free speech.
- Militant Wing: The RSS has been accused of promoting a militant and violent agenda, particularly towards religious minorities and political opponents. Some critics have alleged that the organization has been involved in acts of violence and terrorism, although the RSS denies these allegations.
Golwalkar’s strategy
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, the second Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), had a clear and well-defined strategy for the organization. He believed in the cultural and spiritual unity of India, which he felt was under threat from external forces and divisive ideologies.
One of Golwalkar’s key strategies was to build a strong and disciplined organization that could work towards the common goal of Hindu unity. He believed that this could only be achieved through a rigorous training program that would instill discipline, patriotism, and a sense of social responsibility in RSS members.
Golwalkar also emphasized the need for a strong and self-reliant India, which he felt could only be achieved through the promotion of indigenous industries and technologies. He believed that the country should be self-sufficient in all essential commodities and should not depend on foreign powers for its development.
Another key aspect of Golwalkar’s strategy was the promotion of Hindu culture and values. He believed that the country’s spiritual heritage was its greatest strength, and that the RSS should work towards preserving and promoting this heritage. To this end, he emphasized the need for cultural education and the promotion of traditional Indian arts and crafts.
Overall, Golwalkar’s strategy focused on building a strong and disciplined organization that would work towards the preservation of India’s cultural and spiritual heritage, as well as its economic self-sufficiency. His vision for the RSS continues to shape the organization’s work and philosophy to this day.
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar passed away on June 5, 1973, in Nagpur, India at the age of 67. He had been suffering from throat cancer for some time prior to his death. His death was mourned by many, and he was remembered for his contributions to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Hindutva movement.
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