As the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) celebrates its 100th anniversary, the Congress party has ignited a fresh debate about the organization by referencing Mahatma Gandhi’s views. They claim that Gandhi once described the RSS as a ‘communal body with a totalitarian outlook’.
On Thursday, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh took to X to unveil a conversation documented by Pyarelal, a significant aide of Gandhi. Ramesh emphasized that Pyarelal served on Gandhi’s personal staff for nearly thirty years and became his secretary after Mahadev Desai’s death in 1942.
Ramesh mentioned that Pyarelal’s works have earned authoritative status in the study of Gandhi. His landmark book, “Mahatma Gandhi: The Last Phase”, first published in 1956, features contributions from prominent figures including the then President Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Vice President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.
In the second volume of this book, released in 1958, Ramesh pinpointed a conversation from September 12, 1947, on page 440, where Gandhi explicitly called the RSS a ‘communal body with a totalitarian outlook’.
Ramesh also noted that just five months after this conversation, Union Home Minister Sardar Patel implemented a ban on the RSS.
Furthermore, Ramesh shared a screenshot from Pyarelal’s book, which he claims underlines Gandhi’s critical perspective towards the RSS. This comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising the organization for its contributions to nation-building during a centenary event on Wednesday.
In a pointed retort, Ramesh reminded Prime Minister Modi of Patel’s remarks regarding the RSS, suggesting that the organization fostered an environment contributing to Gandhi’s assassination. He questioned Modi’s awareness of Patel’s correspondence with Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee dated July 18, 1948.
In the letter, Patel conveyed a strong message, mentioning that while he remained cautious about discussing the pending case concerning Gandhi’s murder, reports suggested that the activities of the RSS created conditions conducive to such a tragic event. His assertions categorized the RSS as a clear threat to governmental authority, emphasizing that their activities appeared to intensify despite the ban.
Moreover, during a massive public gathering in Jaipur on December 19, 1948, Sardar Patel voiced similar concerns about the RSS, reinforcing the narrative that the organization posed a significant threat to the state.
The clash of narratives highlights ongoing tensions between the ruling party and the Congress over interpretations of India’s historical and ideological foundations.
As such conversations revive interest in Gandhi’s legacy, the Congress continues to leverage historical context to challenge contemporary nationalism as defined by RSS supporters. As national discussions evolve, the Congress aims to remind citizens of the differing perceptions of patriotism and national unity throughout India’s complex history.
