The RSS: Icons of the Indian Right

by Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay

With the possibility of Partition looming large, Golwalkar took the lead in campaigning against it. Starting from the mid-Forties, the RSS chief beseeched the Indians to stay united and repeatedly evoked the popular symbols of Hindu valour and sacrifice. The leitmotif was none other than the iconic, Chattrapati Shivaji, whose ‘supreme devotion to our Hindu way of life coupled with his unparalleled organisational acumen which gave it a practical dynamic form, that made him a force which changed the entire course of our history.’ In speeches after speeches, Golwalkar’s constant refrain was that ‘only the idea of Akhand Bharat would solve the problems of Muslims in this country.’82 The centrality of the idea of Akhand Bharat remained within the parivar. It was based on the belief that ‘Bharatiya nationalism was based on the concept of one people, one country, one culture.’83 After India became independent, ‘all the local branches of the RSS, on August 14 every year, began to hold a function called Akhand Bharat Sankalp Diwas for the formation of a reunited India.’84 For the affiliates of the RSS, this was an article of faith as well. On 15 August 1953, the Jana Sangh had resolved that the party ‘will always keep this ideal before itself and will work for Akhand Bharat.’