OPINION | RSS@100: Evolution of the Sarsanghchalak role

Mohan Bhagwat

(RSSFACTS is a column that demystifies the functioning, organisational structure and ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.) 

In light of the thoughts expressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of the 75th birthday of RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, which were published by major Indian media outlets, it becomes important to understand how the institution of the Sarsanghchalak has evolved in the 100-year journey of the RSS. This is especially relevant as the Sangh is set to complete its fascinating journey of 100 years on Vijaydashami this year.

The institution of the Sarsanghchalak has been at the helm of the organisational expansion, guiding this journey through several challenging phases that the RSS has faced, while ensuring that its ideological core has remained intact.

Who is the Sarsanghchalak?

The closest English translation of ‘Sarsanghchalak’ is Chief Mentor. The executive head of the RSS is the Sarkaryavah (General Secretary), who is assisted by five to six joint secretaries (Sah Sarkaryavah) in running the organisation on the ground. Mohan Bhagwat is the sixth Sarsanghchalak. The previous five were Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, M.S. Golwalkar, Madhukar Dattatreya Deoras, Prof. Rajendra Singh, and Kuppahalli Sitaramayya Sudarshan.

The evolution of the institution of the Sarsanghchalak is an interesting journey, as unlike the Sarkaryavah, which is an elected position, the position of Sarsanghchalak is a nominated one.

The Initial Journey

The first Sarsanghchalak of the RSS was Dr. Hedgewar, who founded the organisation in 1925. By the late 1930s, his health had deteriorated. On June 20, 1940, he called Golwalkar and told him, in the presence of senior functionaries of the organisation, “Well, hereafter you have to shoulder the responsibility of the Sangh.” On Friday, June 21, 1940, Hedgewar passed away, and Golwalkar assumed the responsibility, leading the RSS until 1973.

On June 5, 1973, Golwalkar passed away. Golwalkar, popularly known as Guruji, had written three letters and handed them over to Akhil Bharatiya Vyavastha Pramukh Pandurangpant Ksheersagar on April 2, 1973. These letters were related to future arrangements and Ksheersagar was instructed to open them after Guruji’s death.

Before Guruji’s final rites were performed, two of these letters were read by Balasaheb (Madhukar Dattatreya Deoras, popularly known as Balasaheb Deoras). He instructed Maharashtra Prant Sanghchalak, Babarao Bhide, to read the third letter, which was supposed to announce the new Sarsanghchalak.

Babarao Bhide stood up amidst a teeming crowd of emotional swayamsevaks and began reading the letter into a microphone attached to loudspeakers so that the crowd could hear. The letter read:

“For all my brethren swayamsevaks, For the last one month, my body has been losing strength rapidly. The doctors have left hope. It appears that everyone knows that this body will not be with us for long.
Thus, an important question of arranging the Sangh’s work arises. The Sangh (RSS) will continue smoothly according to its constitution. The appointment of a new Sarsanghchalak will also be dealt with under the same constitution. I have met several members of the Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal, all seasoned and experienced workers, who are currently Sanghchalaks at the provincial level. It is my responsibility, as the Sarsanghchalak, to share their collective decision.
I am fulfilling this responsibility by revealing my decision that, after my death, the responsibility of Sarsanghchalak will be borne by Shri Madhukar Dattatreya, aka Balasaheb Deoras, who is known to all…”

Balasaheb Deoras only came to know of his appointment as Sarsanghchalak after the letter was read aloud.

The Third Sarsanghchalak

Balasaheb often quoted an anecdote about his appointment as Sarsanghchalak, which offers a true reflection of the essence of the institution from the organisation’s perspective and the experience of those who have held this position. He said, “There was an extremely overweight person travelling in a train. He was so large that, when he wanted to get down at a station, he kept his back towards the platform and tried to get down by walking upside down towards the platform. As there was a huge crowd, people didn’t realise he wanted to get down, and they pushed him back into the rail coach as the train moved on. My situation was similar. I never wanted to be Sarsanghchalak, but everyone pushed me inside and I became the Sarsanghchalak. Now, I will succeed only through your trust in me.”

Balasaheb was initially uncomfortable when he was addressed as “Param Pujniya” (Most Revered) Sarsanghchalak Shri Balasaheb Deoras. He was not comfortable with this expression being associated with an individual. However, after discussions, he relented, as there was a consensus that the expression “Param Pujniya” was meant for the position of Sarsanghchalak, rather than the individual.

Balasaheb Deoras appointed Rajju Bhaiyya (Prof. Rajendra Singh) as the Sarsanghchalak during his lifetime, setting a new tradition. This tradition was carried forward by Rajju Bhaiyya, who appointed K.S. Sudarshan as Sarsanghchalak, and later, Sudarshan appointed Bhagwat as the sixth Sarsanghchalak.

Balasaheb had also decided that in RSS programmes, only the portraits of Bharat Mata, Dr. Hedgewar, and Guruji would be displayed, and no portraits of successive Sarsanghchalaks would be put up. This tradition remains intact. There is no memorial of any Sarsanghchalak except for the founder, and this decision has been followed consciously by all subsequent Sarsanghchalaks.

Conclusion

The Sarsanghchalak is seen by RSS volunteers as the head of a large family, which includes the RSS and dozens of organisations inspired by it. Millions of volunteers refer to this institution as ‘most revered’ because of the grace brought by every Sarsanghchalak, who has walked the talk and become a living example of an ideal RSS Swayamsevak.

Earlier RSSFACTS columns can be read here.

(Arun Anand has authored two books on the RSS. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive.)

Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.