To keep up the purity of the Race and its culture, Germany shocked the world by her purging the country of the Semitic Races—the Jews,’ Golwalkar wrote. ‘Race pride at its highest has been manifested here. Germany has also shown how well nigh impossible it is for Races and cultures, having differences going to the root, to be assimilated into one united whole, a good lesson for us in Hindusthan to learn and profit by.’ – An excerpt from the book

In the current socio-political environment, marked by religious extremism and the widespread ‘othering’ of Muslims, it is crucial to understand the historical roots that have led the country to this point. This is not a recent phenomenon but rather the realization of an ideology cultivated by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for over a century. Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, the second and highly revered leader of RSS, played an important role in shaping its ideological framework.  The book by Dhirendra Jha, Golwalkar – The Myth Behind the Man, The Man Behind the Machine delves into the life and influence of this ‘significant’ figure.

While exploring the RSS, I came across Golwalkar and found him to be one of India’s most polarizing figures. So, when a book focusing on him and his ideology was released, I decided to dive in.

Dhirendra Jha crafts a detailed portrayal of Golwalkar by meticulously analyzing original primary sources, such as interviews, police records, and biographical documents. The author delves into his childhood, family background, and schooling, narrating the journey of his association with the RSS and his eventual rise to its leadership. In the process of documenting his life, the author breaks many myths surrounding Golwalkar. One such myth, being a professor at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), widely embraced by his followers and even earning him the nickname “Guruji,” has been revealed as a fabrication.

The book explores Golwalkar’s views on Muslims and Christians, highlighting his admiration for Hitler and Mussolini as sources of inspiration. It references Golwalkar’s work, We or Our Nationhood Defined, which explicitly conveys his deep-seated animosity toward non-Hindus, labeling them as “traitors or enemies to the national cause.” Additionally, it examines the RSS’s role in post-partition violence, their alleged involvement in Gandhi’s assassination, and the establishment of the Jana Sangh to pursue the vision of a Hindu Rashtra. The narrative also delves into Golwalkar’s post-independence efforts to expand RSS membership and how Jawaharlal Nehru actively countered his divisive politics. Overall, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of Golwalkar’s personality and ideology.

I have a passion for history, and this book truly captivated me. It deepened my admiration for Nehru, particularly his insightful judgment of the RSS and Golwalkar. His foresight and skepticism about the potential risks posed by the RSS, if left unchecked, are proving to be true.

‘We have a great deal of evidence to show that the R.S.S. is an organisation which is in the nature of a private army and which is definitely proceeding on the strictest Nazi lines, even following the technique of organisation,’ he wrote. ‘It is not our desire to interfere with civil liberties. But training in arms of large numbers of persons with the obvious intention of using them is not something that can be encouraged. […] The Nazy party brought Germany to ruin and I have little doubt that if these tendencies are allowed to spread and increase in India, they would do enormous injury to India. No doubt India would survive. But she would be grievously wounded and would take a long time to recover.’

 –Excerpt from Nehru’s letter to chief ministers of India, December 1947

On the other hand, the book reveals Patel’s subtle admiration for the RSS, which became a point of contention between the two most prominent leaders of independent India. He had a different opinion of the RSS; to him, “the RSS men were not thieves and dacoits. They are patriots who love their country. Only their trend of thought is diverted. They are to be won over by Congressmen by love.”

The book highlights how the RSS repeatedly sought to legitimize both the organization and Golwalkar by aligning itself with prominent figures like Nehru and Gandhi. It mentions that rumors were spread that Nehru had invited the RSS to participate in the Republic Day parade as a separate contingent. More significantly, the book reveals the RSS’s strong commitment to the idea of a Hindu Rashtra, which excluded Muslims and Christians. To advance this ideology, the RSS worked tirelessly and passionately over the years, building a substantial base of members indoctrinated with hatred toward Muslims and the vision of a Hindu Rashtra. 

What we see unfolding today reflects the ideology of the RSS and its prominent leader, Golwalkar. The discrimination against Muslims and the attempts to marginalize them—legally, constitutionally, and socially—are the culmination of a century of RSS efforts. Understanding Golwalkar’s influence and mindset is crucial to challenge this narrative effectively.

A must-read book to understand the making of a staunch advocate of the Hindu Rashtra, steeped in bigotry.

About The Author

Dhirendra K. Jha is a Delhi-based journalist. He is the author of Gandhi’s Assassin: The Making of Nathuram Godse and His Idea of India; Shadow Armies: Fringe Organizations and Foot Soldiers of Hindutva; and Ascetic Games: Sadhus, Akharas and the Making of the Hindu Vote. He is the co-author of Ayodhya: The Dark Night—The Secret History of Rama’s Appearance in Babri Masjid