Greetings! I, Dr Nitish Bharadwaj,
welcome all of you to a new episode of Kesariya@100.
Kesariya@100, an amazing docu-series brought to you by the Zee Group.
Today, let's go 40 kilometres away from Nagpur,
to the Paramdham Ashram, built on the banks of Dham River.
This ashram was witness to a meeting
held between two great thinkers about the problems of the country.
Their opinions were different
but their simplicity, harmony and friendship were identical.
They were the same.
The two thinkers were
the leader of the 'Bhoodan Movement' in the country,
Acharya Vinoba Bhave,
and the chief of the RSS, Guru Golwalkar.
In today's episode of Kesariya@100,
let's know about the story of that historic meeting,
which has been hidden in the pages of history.
Today, it is being presented to the country for the first time.
Also, let's find out
how the RSS became the medium for major changes in the country,
and how the RSS went through struggles and ordeals.
"One colour, one union, one mind, one vow."
"One voice, one song, one melody, one mantra."
"One colour, one union, one mind, one vow."
"One voice, one song, one melody, one mantra."
"One vision, one ideology, we have just one goal."
"It's our pride and honour,"
"our country dwells in our very soul."
"Your nation calls. adorn it with your love sincere."
"With faith and courage, in serving our nation, let us persevere."
"Your nation calls. adorn it with your love sincere."
"With faith and courage, in serving our nation, let us persevere."
"Kesariya!"
'In the year 1951, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee'
'came to Guru with the proposal of forming a new party.'
'Guru was firm about keeping the RSS away from politics.'
'What was the solution then?'
After thinking for a few months, Guru Golwalkar decided
that some trustworthy volunteers of the RSS
should be sent to Dr Shyama Prasad's new party for help.
These volunteers included Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya,
Sunder Singh Bhandari, Nanaji Deshmukh,
Bapu Saheb Sohni and Balraj Madhok.
With their help, on 21st October 1951,
the party formed by Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee
was the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
Through the Bharatiya Jana Sangh,
a new foundation of politics was laid in India.
Guru made sure
that the RSS was not encroached by politics
because through the RSS,
he was establishing new dimensions of 'Hindutva' and nationalism.
Through his efforts,
in the year 1949, for the students,
he helped in the formation of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad,
or ABVP.
Now, it was time to unite all the Hindus
who were spread among different sects and groups.
For this, in 1964, a new group was formed.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad, or VHP.
This was not an easy task
because Guru wanted to bring all the Dharmacharyas
and the Shankaracharyas of all four 'Piths' on one stage.
'In the year 1969, for the first time,'
'a huge gathering of different Dharmacharyas of India'
'was organised.'
'In this gathering that took place in Prayag,'
'along with many Mathadhish and Dharmacharyas,'
'the Shankaracharyas of all four 'Piths'
'were on the stage.'
'The Vishva Hindu Parishad'
'made a grand start to uniting the Hindu Dharmacharyas.'
We have only one goal in life now.
The work that was begun by our honourable doctor.
To accept that principle wholeheartedly
and to adapt that principle in our lives,
just talking about that principle will not help.
So, the feeling of softness
and the emotional state that exists within us...
To build that emotional state in our lives,
just memorising the words won't be sufficient.
What is that emotional state?
What is our duty? Sir has told us to do our duty.
He has told every countryman to work on this.
What did he ask us to do?
He believes that this is our Hindu society.
It is vast.
It should be united now.
What is the Hindu religion? What is 'Hindutva'?
Guru openly stated his opinions on these matters.
He even wrote about it openly.
Many times, there were controversies about his words and writings.
Many times, confusions were spread.
His words were twisted and presented to the public
but Guru did not stop having conversations on these topics.
Once, he met the leader of the 'Sarvodaya Movement'
and the 'Bhoodan Movement', Vinoba Bhave.
Guru said,
'We are ready to accept Prophet Muhammad as the greatest'
'but are the Muslims ready to accept Lord Rama as the greatest?'
'I am ready to pray with the Muslims'
'but are the Muslims ready to pray with us?'
'This meeting between Guru and Vinoba Bhave'
'was much discussed.'
I always say it is more important
to have steady wisdom today than ever before.
Vinoba, it is difficult for a normal person
to have steady wisdom.
He gets disturbed then.
The leaders of our society
shouldn't let this disturbance happen.
No, it is right to say that the leaders shouldn't be upset
but the reasons that incite to anger should be dispelled.
The country is facing many problems today.
In order to solve them, it is necessary that peace prevails.
The ones who have faith in God and humanity
should stop talking about uniting the Hindus.
We should unite all the Indians.
Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Parsees!
Everyone should be brought together.
Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs are part of the Hindus.
Last year, I visited Pakistan.
I took my book Geeta Pravachane with me.
I sold 800 copies, of which 300 were purchased by Muslims.
Our prayers are different.
Some pray the 'namaz'.
Let that continue.
Can't everyone have one prayer together?
A silent prayer!
Vinoba, it is the political parties that cause these fights.
Nobody fights only in the name of religion.
This is called selfishness.
The caste system has always existed in our society.
Now, people are provoked to fight in the name of religion.
We'll have to start somewhere to stop these fights.
I have made this start by uniting the Hindus.
Some people oppose this
but according to me, it is not wrong.
I am a true Hindu myself
and that is why I accept all the other religions.
We are not just tolerant.
We even serve people from different religions.
There are many castes and scriptures in the Hindu religion.
Some people read the Ramayana, some read the Mahabharata
but there is no unity among us.
How can I unite the people of other religions then?
Tell me.
We are called communal.
What is the harm in preserving a 5,000-year-old tradition?
The arrogance that involves badmouthing others is wrong
but
how can it be wrong if we work for the welfare of the Hindus?
We are trying to unite a 5,000-year-old society.
We don't believe in the caste system and untouchability.
We treat all Hindus as equals.
Tell me. Where have the Muslims here originated from?
They are our blood, too.
If a Muslim prays 'namaz' with faith, there is no problem
but... if he prays 'namaz' to show his isolation,
there will be a problem.
The Muslims also belong to this country.
Why don't they accept our culture then?
I agree with many of your points.
We need to put an end to internal conflict and bitterness
but I have a different opinion.
The picture presented before us when we speak about Hindus,
and the picture presented before us when we speak about human beings...
is there a difference between the two?
If there is a difference between them,
that difference will prove dangerous in this scientific world.
It would be a different matter if it were only about religion...
but this is about behaviour, too.
Many things come to light when we speak about humanity.
Normal people cannot understand these things.
Vinoba, fundamentally, Hindus have no speciality.
The Muslims have the same opinion.
Muslims don't believe in one country.
They treat the whole world as theirs.
Yes, but their prophet is one. They have only one holy scripture.
When you read the Quran, you will realise that it's not true.
What the Quran says is true, Vinoba,
but you also know that the experience is different.
How is the experience of a Hindu different?
Don't we have caste discrimination amongst us?
Does everyone have equal rights?
This is philosophy
but the behaviour is different.
This is the main problem.
This difference in behaviour is visible in everyone.
That is why you should pledge to work with humanity.
We should strive for something great with humanity, not something less.
The name of your group is Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh,
not Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh.
Now, you should take up a wider role
and make sure that people come to you.
This is our principle.
A Hindu means the son of the soil.
We don't want to cause any discrimination.
We are all one.
Nobody has a problem accepting this
but this is about behaviour.
Vinoba, how can that be purified? That is the main question.
'The summary of their conversation'
'was published in the newspaper, Tarun Bharat.'
'Golwalkar was labelled anti-Muslim and orthodox.'
'Such accusations are common even today'
'but the truth is different from this.'
'Golwalkar's thought on Common Civil Court'
'was completely different from these accusations.'
'In Delhi,'
'for the establishment of Deendayal Research Institute,'
'Golwalkar said'
'that the Uniform Civil Code shouldn't be imposed forcibly.'
'There is immense diversity in this country.'
'So, there is a place for a special law for the Muslims.'
'We need to unite the hearts.'
'We can have unity in diversity'
'and there can be two peas in a pod.'
'This speech by Golwalkar'
'was mentioned by K R Malkani, the editor of The Motherland'
'in an article in Tarun Bharat'
'published in a special issue after Guru's death.'
'The chief of the RSS, Appaji Joshi,'
'mentioned something special about Guru in his article.'
'Guru Golwalkar loved the Quran.'
'It was his belief that the Muslims should be loved and befriended'
'but there should be no appeasement of the Muslims.'
'This was Guru's belief.'
'It could disrupt Hindu-Muslim relations. It was his clear stance.'
The personality of Golwalkar
publicised by the opposition and the media was not true.
Let me tell you about an incident.
15th December 1950.
When Sardar Patel passed away in Mumbai,
Guru was eager to attend his last rites.
At that time, we had the Central Province.
Its capital was Nagpur.
Guru contacted Pandit Ravishankar Shukla,
the then Chief Minister of the Central Province.
'15th December 1950'
This is an unfortunate incident.
It is a huge loss to the nation.
It is a loss for everyone.
Sardar Patel is no more.
When is his funeral?
This evening.
At the Sonapur Smashan Bhumi in Mumbai.
I wanted the last rites to take place at Chowpatty
but the family refused.
Are you going to Mumbai?
Yes, I am going.
I will have to go.
Ravishankar.
Yes?
I want to pay a tribute to Sardar Patel.
May I come to Mumbai with you?
Yes, why not?
Let's go together.
'Ravishankar was surprised.'
'Guru was eager to attend Sardar Patel's funeral.'
'Whereas, Sardar Patel'
'had imposed a restriction on the RSS.'
'He had got Golwalkar arrested.'
'Despite that, in any condition,'
'he wanted to attend Sardar Patel's last rites.'
'Golwalkar, who looked like a saint,'
'was a saint by behaviour, too.'
'He had good connections with many leaders.'
'At public functions,'
'Guru's photos would be published with the Congress leaders.'
'Guru was filled with passion till his last breath,'
'even though he was besieged by cancer.'
'5th June 1973'
'was the last day of Guru Golwalkar's life.'
'As per his daily routine,'
'he performed puja in the evening.'
'He recited the prayers of the Sangh'
'and his life's journey came to an end that night.'
'O greatly auspicious holy land,'
'for your sake, may this life be sacrificed.'
'Salutations. Salutations.'
'In the 100 years of the RSS,'
'in a tenure of around one-third of the time,'
'Guru Golwalkar was the chief.'
'I bow down to you.'
'Tarun Bharat'
'Golwalkar's death, tragic beyond words, JS chief.'
'A shining star... faded away.'
'India's Parliament House.'
'Guru Golwalkar was never a member here'
'but when he passed away,'
'both Houses of this Parliament paid homage to him.'
This was against the custom.
As per the custom, the Parliament
pays homage only to the Members of the Parliament.
The Lok Sabha Speaker said...
'Mr Golwalkar was a leader with great organisational power.'
'On the basis of the power of his personality,'
'strong faith in his values,'
'and learnings,'
'he made a place for himself in the country's social life.'
'Many people disagree with his ideologies'
'but through constant hard work,'
'he served the country through his own approach.'
'Guru Golwalkar's death'
'is a loss to the public life of the country.'
'When Guru returned from the Sargachi Ashram,'
'there was no confusion in his mind as Dr Hedgewar suspected.'
'What was on Golwalkar's mind?'
'This question was answered'
'to a journalist by Golwalkar himself,'
'which was published in an article of Tarun Bharat after many years.'
'From the beginning, my sentiment'
'has always been'
'with organising the nation along with spirituality.'
'By staying with the RSS, I can do my work more fruitfully.'
'I experienced it during my tours to Banaras, Nagpur and Kolkata.'
'That is why I dedicated my mind and body to serve the RSS.'
'I think Swami Akhandananda's'
'philosophy, teachings and methodology'
'match my principles.'
'I am so influenced by him'
'that I have never been influenced'
'by any other sage's life or teachings.'
'I am sure'
'that I can carry forward'
'Swami Akhandananda's teachings by being a part of the RSS.'
After Guru Golwalkar's demise,
a compilation of his speeches was published in seven parts.
At the dedication ceremony of one of the parts,
Atal Bihari Vajpayee participated specially.
During this occasion, famous singer, Late Sudhir Phadke,
who was a volunteer himself...
A song sung by him
became an inspiration for all the RSS volunteers.
"Grant us blessings, O noble guide."
"It's a humble prayer to the revered guru."
"Grant us blessings, O noble guide."
"It's a humble prayer to the revered guru."
"Grant us blessings, O noble guide."
"It's a humble prayer to the revered guru."
"Grant us blessings, O noble guide."
"It's a humble prayer to the revered guru."
"We are progressing on the path you paved, guided by your vision."
"Guided by your light, countless lamps shine steadfast."
"The dark night that veils our land..."
"The dark night that veils our land will soon be dispelled."
"Your divine worship adorns the sacred temple of the motherland"
"Grant us blessings, O noble guide."
"It's a humble prayer to the revered guru."
"Grant us blessings, O noble guide."
"It's a humble prayer to the revered guru."
During his lifetime, Guru started a new tradition in the RSS
of choosing the successor.
On 2nd April 1973,
he handed over three sealed envelopes
to the chief of the Akhil Bharatiya Vyavastha.
They were opened before Guru's last rites.
'In the first letter, Guru wrote...'
'Apart from Dr Hedgewar, the founder of the RSS,'
'nobody else's memorial should be built.'
'In the second letter, Guru wrote...'
'Knowingly or unknowingly,'
'if I have hurt anyone's feelings,'
'I apologise to them wholeheartedly.'
'In the third letter, Guru wrote...'
'The next chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh'
'will be Balasaheb Deoras.'
Somebody has said,
'When a huge tree falls, the earth shakes.'
This is true.
When Guru Golwalkar passed away,
the Sangh family was shaken up.
This was the end of an era.
This means, during one-third of the tenure of the RSS,
a person who sheltered everyone like a tree for 33 years,
protected them, and guided them
was swept away in the flow of time...
but a new tree came into existence.
His name was Balasaheb Deoras.
A new divine tree.
In the next episode, we'll watch the story of this divine tree.
Keep watching Kesariya@100.
Goodbye!