Balasaheb Deoras, also known as Balasahab Deoras, was the third Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization in India. He was born on December 11, 1915, in the city of Nagpur in Maharashtra. Deoras joined the RSS at the age of 18 and remained a lifelong member, dedicating his life to the organization’s ideology and goals.

Education and Early Life:

Deoras was born to a Maharashtrian family in Nagpur. He attended Hislop College in Nagpur, where he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Science. After completing his education, he joined the RSS as a full-time worker and dedicated his life to the organization.

During his college days, Deoras joined the RSS in 1934, inspired by the ideology of its founder, Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. He quickly became an active member of the organization and worked in various roles, including organizing shakhas (RSS meetings) and training new members.

In 1940, Deoras was arrested by the British colonial authorities for his participation in the Quit India Movement, a civil disobedience campaign aimed at forcing the British to leave India. He was sentenced to two years in prison and was released in 1942.

After his release from prison, Deoras resumed his activities in the RSS and rose through the ranks of the organization. He was appointed as the prant pracharak (regional organizer) of the Vidarbha region in Maharashtra in 1951 and later served as the prant pracharak of Madhya Pradesh.

In 1964, Deoras was appointed as the joint general secretary of the RSS and worked closely with the then Sarsanghchalak, Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar. After Golwalkar’s death in 1973, Deoras was elected as his successor and served as the Sarsanghchalak of the RSS until his death in 1994.

Throughout his life, Deoras remained committed to the principles of the RSS, which emphasized the importance of self-discipline, self-reliance, and the service of the nation. Under his leadership, the organization grew in size and influence, and played a significant role in the political and social life of India.

Role in the RSS:

Deoras joined the RSS in 1932 and quickly rose through the ranks of the organization. He became the first full-time Pracharak in Madhya Pradesh in 1938 and worked in the organization’s branches in several other states, including Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. In 1964, he was appointed as the RSS’s All India General Secretary and played an instrumental role in the organization’s expansion and growth.

Deoras succeeded Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar as the Sarsanghchalak of the RSS in 1973. During his tenure, he worked to expand the organization’s reach and influence in India and beyond. He emphasized the importance of social service and encouraged RSS workers to engage in activities that benefited society. Under his leadership, the RSS launched several initiatives aimed at promoting Indian culture, including the establishment of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari and the Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation, which provides education to children in rural India.

Deoras also played a key role in shaping India’s political landscape. He was a strong supporter of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was seen as the political arm of the RSS, and worked to promote the party’s growth and success. He was a mentor to several prominent BJP leaders, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani.

Why join RSS

Balasaheb Deoras was born into a family with a tradition of active participation in the Indian freedom struggle. His elder brother, Dattopant Deoras, was a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Balasaheb himself became a member in 1932 at the age of 18. He was impressed by the ideology and vision of the RSS, which emphasized selfless service to the nation and the preservation of Indian culture and heritage. Balasaheb believed that the RSS could play a key role in uniting the Hindu community and inculcating in them a sense of pride and responsibility towards the nation.

Balasaheb Deoras was also inspired by the leadership of Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the founder of the RSS, and later by Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, the second Sarsanghchalak of the organization. He admired their vision and dedication to the nation and their efforts to spread the message of the RSS to every corner of India. Balasaheb worked closely with Golwalkar and was deeply influenced by his ideas and teachings.

In addition, Balasaheb Deoras saw the RSS as a platform for personal growth and development. He believed that the organization provided opportunities for individuals to develop their leadership skills and to contribute to the society in a meaningful way. He was impressed by the discipline, dedication, and selflessness of the RSS workers and was determined to emulate these qualities in his own life.

Overall, Balasaheb Deoras joined the RSS because he was deeply committed to the nation and to the preservation of its cultural and spiritual heritage. He saw the organization as a means to achieve these goals and as a platform for personal growth and development.

Keshav Baliram Hedgewar was the founder of the RSS, and Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar succeeded him as the second Sarsanghchalak. Balasaheb Deoras, on the other hand, joined the RSS in 1932 and worked closely with both Hedgewar and Golwalkar.

Deoras was deeply influenced by Golwalkar’s philosophy of Hindutva and played a key role in expanding the organization’s reach during his tenure as the third Sarsanghchalak. He was a trusted confidant of Golwalkar and worked closely with him to implement the vision and mission of the RSS.

Deoras also maintained a close relationship with Hedgewar and was deeply committed to the organization’s ideology of nationalism and social service. He played a pivotal role in expanding the RSS’s social and political influence during the 1970s and 1980s, and his tenure as Sarsanghchalak saw the organization emerge as a major force in Indian politics.

Overall, while each of these leaders had their own unique contributions to the RSS, they were all deeply committed to the organization’s goals of promoting Hindu nationalism and social welfare, and worked closely together to advance its mission.

Balasaheb Deoras Characteristic

Balasaheb Deoras was known for his strong character and leadership qualities. Some of his key characteristics were:

1. Dedication: Balasaheb Deoras was highly dedicated to the cause of the RSS and worked tirelessly to promote its values and principles.
2. Visionary: He was a visionary leader who had a clear understanding of the challenges faced by the RSS and the country as a whole. He played an instrumental role in shaping the future course of the RSS and expanding its reach.
3. Organizational skills: Balasaheb Deoras had excellent organizational skills and was able to manage the complex structure of the RSS with ease. He was also a skilled orator and communicator, which helped him to mobilize support for the organization.
4. Humility: Despite his position of power and influence, Balasaheb Deoras was known for his humility and down-to-earth nature. He was always approachable and accessible to his followers, and treated everyone with respect and dignity.
5. Courage: Balasaheb Deoras was a courageous leader who was not afraid to take bold decisions and stand up for what he believed in. He faced many challenges during his tenure as the Sarsanghchalak of the RSS, but he remained steadfast in his commitment to the organization and its values.

Overall, Balasaheb Deoras was a highly respected and admired leader who made significant contributions to the growth and development of the RSS.

Balasaheb Deoras, the third Sarsanghchalak of the RSS, had a vision of building a strong and united India based on the principles of Hindu nationalism. He was a proponent of the concept of Hindu Rashtra, which envisions India as a nation guided by Hindu values, culture, and traditions.

Under his leadership, the RSS expanded its activities across India and focused on building a strong network of dedicated volunteers. Deoras emphasized the importance of discipline, selfless service, and dedication to the nation and its people.

One of his major missions was to create a sense of unity among the various castes and communities of India. He believed that a united India could only be built on the foundation of mutual respect and cooperation between all sections of society. To this end, he worked towards building bridges between different communities and promoting social harmony.

Deoras was also committed to the cause of education and believed that education was the key to building a strong and prosperous nation. He emphasized the need for a system of education that would not only impart knowledge and skills but also instill values and a sense of social responsibility in young people.

In addition to his work within the RSS, Deoras was also actively involved in the larger nationalist movement in India. He was a vocal advocate of the anti-emergency movement in the 1970s and worked towards restoring democracy and civil liberties in the country.

Overall, Balasaheb Deoras’ mission was to build a strong and united India based on the principles of Hindu nationalism, social harmony, and a commitment to education and social responsibility.

Balasaheb Deoras Friends

Balasaheb Deoras had many friends and acquaintances during his lifetime, including several prominent leaders and thinkers of his time. Some of his close friends were:

1. Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Balasaheb Deoras had a close association with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was also a leader of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and later the BJP. The two shared a deep bond of friendship and mutual respect.
2. Nanaji Deshmukh: Balasaheb Deoras and Nanaji Deshmukh were long-time friends and associates in the RSS. Both worked together to promote the organization’s ideology and goals.
3. Morarji Desai: Balasaheb Deoras had a cordial relationship with former Prime Minister Morarji Desai. While they had ideological differences, they maintained a respectful association.
4. Jayaprakash Narayan: Balasaheb Deoras had a close association with the socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan during the Emergency period. The two worked together to resist the authoritarian regime of Indira Gandhi.
5. M.S. Golwalkar: Balasaheb Deoras succeeded M.S. Golwalkar as the Sarsanghchalak of the RSS. While the two had a different leadership style, they shared a common vision for the organization.

Apart from these, Balasaheb Deoras had many other friends and associates in the RSS and the larger Sangh Parivar, with whom he shared a strong bond of camaraderie and brotherhood.

Balasaheb Deoras passed away on June 11, 1996, at the age of 79. He had been suffering from various ailments for a few years prior to his death. His death was mourned by many, including political leaders from various parties, who praised his contributions to the RSS and to the country as a whole. His legacy continues to inspire many in the RSS and beyond.

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