On Thursday, the Congress party claimed that Mahatma Gandhi referred to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a “communal body with a totalitarian outlook.” The statement drew from excerpts in a book authored by Pyarelal, one of Gandhi’s close aides, marking a significant discussion as the RSS celebrates its centenary.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, made this assertion on social media platform X, emphasizing Pyarelal’s longstanding association with Gandhi, having served on his personal staff for nearly three decades. Ramesh noted that Pyarelal became Gandhi’s secretary after Mahadev Desai’s demise in 1942.
“Pyarelal’s works on Mahatma Gandhi serve as crucial reference points. He published the first volume of ‘Mahatma Gandhi: The Last Phase’ in 1956, under the aegis of Navajivan Publishing House in Ahmedabad,” Ramesh stated. This volume included an introduction by then-President Dr. Rajendra Prasad and an endorsement from Vice President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.
The second volume came out two years later. Ramesh quoted from this volume, revealing a conversation where Gandhi described the RSS as a “communal body with a totalitarian outlook,” dating back to September 12, 1947.
Interestingly, just five months post this conversation, Sardar Patel, then Union Home Minister, imposed a ban on the RSS, reinforcing the gravity of Gandhi’s words.
Ramesh provided a screenshot of Pyarelal’s passage, showcasing Gandhi’s characterization of the RSS. The conversation took on added relevance following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent praise of the Sangh for its contributions to nation-building.
In a pointed post, Ramesh recalled Patel’s warning to Modi, stating that Patel had remarked the RSS’s activities created an atmosphere leading to Gandhi’s assassination.
On Wednesday, Ramesh shared excerpts from a letter Patel sent to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee on July 18, 1948. In this letter, Patel remarked that Gandhi’s assassination case was ongoing, but reports indicated that the actions of the RSS fostered a climate in which such a tragedy became feasible.
He reiterated Patel’s concerns, highlighting that the RSS posed a significant threat to governance. “Our reports confirm that, despite the ban, the RSS’s activities have not ceased. Indeed, they have grown more defiant and subversive,” Patel noted.
Additionally, Ramesh referenced a public address by Patel in Jaipur on December 19, 1948, wherein he delivered strong remarks regarding the RSS. This historical context further underscored the ongoing tension between the Congress party and the RSS.
During the centenary celebrations of the RSS on Wednesday, PM Narendra Modi praised the organization for its unwavering commitment to the nation despite numerous challenges, suggesting a contrasting narrative to that of Congress.
As the political dialogue surrounding Gandhi and the RSS continues, Ramesh’s citations from historical records will likely influence ongoing discussions about the role of these organizations in India’s past and present.
