The RSS’s Role in Our Freedom Struggle

The Indian independence struggle, often narrated through the lives of a few prominent leaders, is only a partial story. But emerging documents now reveal a more complete picture. Kalyan Kumar De's book ‘Netaji’ reveals British archive information linking public outrage over INA trials and the naval rebellion to the British's decision to leave.

Few are aware that the first revolt for independence was led by the Maruthu Pandiyar brothers at Tamil Nadi in 1801. Similarly, the contributions of figures like Subramanya Bharathi, VO Chidambaram Pillai, Kumarswamy Mudaliar, Birsa Munda are rarely mentioned in favour of more widely recognised leaders like Gandhi and Nehru.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has received little recognition. Founded in 1925, the RSS focused on spiritual patriotism rooted in India’s Hindu culture, inspired by Bankimchandra, Lokmanya Tilak, and Savarkar. Dr. Hedgewar advocated for nationalism based on Bharat’s cultural and geographical identity.

He initially revolted against the British during his school days. While studying medicine in Kolkata, he joined the Anusheelan Samiti and led against the British-imposed restrictions on Indian doctors. As a Congress joint secretary, his advocacy for ‘complete freedom’ was rejected in favour of limited self-rule.  His support for the non-cooperation movement led to a nine-month prison term.

Realising that India’s divisions-caste, orthodoxy, parochial conflicts, and language, hindered the unity required to overthrow the British.  After conferring with leaders of Hindu Mahasabha and Congress, he established a new organisation apart from politics, the RSS.

The original RSS pledged to work with complete commitment for the freedom of the Hindu Rashtra, that is, Bharat. Dr. Hedgewar envisioned an all-India organisation prepared to fight for freedom after WWII. Before his passing, he regretted not completing this task by 1940 to seize this historic moment. His vision became clearer when we see that the Quit India movement was launched in 1942 and the INA was formed.

The second RSS sarsanghchaalak, Shri Guruji, worked to make the RSS a strong all-India organisation. At this time, the Quit India came to the fore, and RSS swayamsevaks participated in the movement.

Since RSS's biggest and most powerful participation was in Vidarbha, two towns, Chimur and Ashti, saw a takeover of government with ‘Patri Sarkar.’ Multiple Swayamsevak were either shot, hanged, or imprisoned. The RSS further supported the Quit India movement by providing shelter and legal assistance in fighting cases of satyagrahis and these leaders.

When independence was declared, RSS volunteers protected the people of Punjab and Sindh and assisted many of them in escaping from the newly formed Pakistan. Hundreds of swayamsevaks sacrificed their lives, families, and businesses. 

Even before the Indian army marched into Jammu and Kashmir after the signing of the treaty of accession, it was the RSS that stood with the Dogra army and later the Indian army to provide support. They aided in the construction of roads, bridges, and runways; and picked up ammunition dropped by air force planes.

As unbelievable as it may sound, there were small colonies in India even after independence. Pondicherry was liberated with a treaty with the French in 1954. Dadra Nagar Haveli was liberated by RSS swayamsevaks led by Vinyakrao Apte, Sanghchaalak of Pune, in 1954.  Thousands of swayamsevaks liberated Goa under the leadership of Jagannathrao Joshi. Rajbhau Mahkal from Indore was shot through the eye and lost his life, holding the Tricolour aloft.

In my book “Sangh & Swaraj”, I have included the names of 33 swayamsevaks who lost their lives defending Hindus in the Amritsar riots. Other books like “Now it Can be Told”, “Jammu Kashmir ki Ankahi Kahani”, and “Jyoti Jala Nij Pran ki” must be read to understand the contribution of the RSS, before and after Independence.    

Post World War II, the British Raj decided to give up on Bharat as they realised the rising anger against INA trials and the Naval rebellion. I do not negate the sacrifices of Indians under the non-violent path of freedom struggle, but request historians and others to take a balanced view and give credit where it is due. We all pay our respects to all the freedom fighters, whether sants, patriotic sadhus, janajaati leaders, revolutionaries, Congress, or others like the RSS. To truly understand our struggle for independence, we must revisit it with the depth and nuance it deserves, as the venerable historian R.C. Majumdar began, and finally give voice to the silenced narratives that shaped our nation.