RSS, Hindu Mahasabha role in Gandhiji's murder? What documentary evidence reveals

By Shamsul Islam*
Following is the compilation in chronological order the communications of Sardar Patel's home ministry, his letters to Nehru, Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Golwalkar on Gandhiji's murder. This chronological presentation shows how Sardar Patel developed his understanding (which must have been based on facts supplied by his officials) of the alleged role of RSS and Hindu Mahasabha involved in Gandhiji's assassination.
The documents also carry comment of a contemporary senior ICS on the linkages of the killers with RSS. Another shocking document is from 2013 Goa conference for Hindu nation of Hindu Janjagruti Samity which was opened with a congratulatory message of Narendra Modi (then CM of Gujarat) and where Gandhiji's killing was celebrated.

4TH FEBRUARY 1948 GOVERNMENT COMMUNIQUÉ BANNING RSS

"Undesirable and even dangerous activities have been carried on by members of the Sangh. It has been found that in several parts of the country individual members of the RSS have indulged in acts of violence involving arson, robbery, dacoity, and murder and have collected illicit arms and ammunition. They have been found circulating leaflets exhorting people to resort to terrorist methods, to collect firearms, to create disaffection against the government and suborn the police and the military." [Cited in “Justice on Trial”, RSS, Bangalore, 1962, pp. 65-66.]

SARDAR PATEL LETTER TO NEHRU: FEBRUARY 27 1948

"All the main accused have given long and detailed statements of their activities. In one case, the statement extends to ninety typed pages. From their statements, it is quite clear that no part of the conspiracy took place in Delhi... It also clearly emerges from these statements that the RSS was not involved at all. It was a fanatical wing of the Hindu Mahasabha directly under Savarkar that (hatched) the conspiracy and saw it through. It also appears that the conspiracy was limited to some ten men, of whom all except two have been got hold of.”
RSS supporters quote the above part of Sardar's letter and hide the following text of the same letter which is very significant:

"In the case of secret organization like the RSS which has no records, registers, etc. securing of authentic information whether a particular individual is active worker or not is rendered a very difficult task." [V. Shankar, “Sardar Patel: Select Correspondence 1945-50”, Navjivan Publishing House, Ahmedabad, 1977, p. 283-85 ]

SARDAR PATEL LETTER TO SYAMA PRASAD MOOKERJEE: JULY 18 1948

"As regards the RSS and the Hindu Mahasabha, the case relating to Gandhiji’s murder is sub judice and I should not like to say anything about the participation of the two organizations, but our reports do confirm that, as a result of the activities of these two bodies, particularly the former, an atmosphere was created in the country in which such a ghastly tragedy became possible. There is no doubt in my mind that the extreme section of the Hindu Mahasabha was involved in the conspiracy.

"The activities of the RSS constituted a clear threat to the existence of Government and the State. Our reports show that those activities, despite the ban, have not died down. Indeed, as time has marched on, the RSS circles are becoming more defiant and are indulging in their subversive activities in an increasing measure.” [Letter 64 in Sardar Patel: “ Select Correspondence 1945-1950”, volume 2, Navjivan Publishing House, Ahmedabad, 1977, pp. 276-77.]

SARDAR PATEL LETTER TO THE THEN SUPREMO OF RSS, M S GOLWALKAR: 19 SEPTEMBER, 1948:

"Organizing the Hindus and helping them is one thing but going in for revenge for its sufferings on innocent and helpless men, women and children is quite another thing…Apart from this, their opposition to the Congress, that too of such virulence, disregarding all considerations of personality, decency or decorum, created a kind of unrest among the people. All their speeches were full of communal poison.

"It was not necessary to spread poison in order to enthuse the Hindus and organize for their protection. As a final result of the poison, the country had to suffer the sacrifice of the invaluable life of Gandhiji. Even an iota of the sympathy of the Government, or of the people, no more remained for the RSS. In fact opposition grew.

"Opposition turned more severe, when the RSS men expressed joy and distributed sweets after Gandhiji’s death. Under these conditions it became inevitable for the Government to take action against the RSS…Since then, over six months have elapsed. We had hoped that after this lapse of time, with full and proper consideration the RSS persons would come to the right path." But from the reports that come to me, it is evident that attempts to put fresh life into their same old activities are afoot.” [Cited in “Justice on Trial”, RSS, Bangalore, 1962, pp. 26-28.]

COMMENT OF A SENIOR ICS WHO WAS FIRST HOME SECRETARY OF UP

"Came January 30, 1948 when the Mahatma, that supreme apostle of peace, felt to a bullet fired by an RSS fanatic. The tragic episode left me sick at heart." [Rajeshwar Dayal, “A Life of Our Times”, Orient Longman, 94.]
Cartoons like this were published in Hindutva publications which created hatred against Gandhiji.

MODI'S MESSAGE

Modi as CM of Gujarat sent congratulatory message to Goa Hindu rashtra conference (2013) where Gandhi’s 'vadh' was celebrated. It shows RSS hatred for Gandhiji even today.
He sent the message to the ‘All India Hindu Convention for Establishment of Hindu Nation’ organised by the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) on June 7. Modi's message reads:

“Even though every Hindu conducts himself with love, compassion and intimacy with god, giving precedence to non-violence, truth and “satvikta”, repelling demoniacal tendencies is in our destiny. It is our tradition to remain alert and raise a voice against persecution… Only by protecting our culture, can the flag of “dharma” and unity be kept intact. Organisations inspired by nationalism, patriotism and devotion for the Nation are true manifestations of people's power.”
On the 3rd day from the same dais in this convention from where Modi's felicitation message was read, one of the prominent speakers, K.V. Sitaramiah, declared that Gandhi was 'terrible, wicked and most sinful'. Rejoicing the killing of M.K. Gandhi, he went on to declare:

“As Bhagwan Shri Krishna said in the Gita, Paritranaya Sadhunam Vinashaya Cha Dushkritam/ Dharamasansthapnaya Sambhavami Yuge-Yuge (For the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked and for the establishment of righteousness, I am born in every age) On… 30th January 1948 evening, Shriram came in the form of Nathuram Godse and ended the life of Gandhi.”
Let me add that K.V. Sitaramaiah has also authored a book titled ‘Gandhi was Dharma Drohi and DesaDrohi’ in which the back cover matter, quoting from the epic Mahabharat, demands ‘Dharma Drohis must be killed’, ‘Not killing the deserved to be killed is great sin’ and ‘where the members of Parliament seeing clearly allow to kill Dharma & truth as untruth, those members will be called dead’.
---
*Formerly with Delhi University, click here for some of P of Islam's writings and video interviews/debates. Facebook: https://facebook.com/shamsul.islam.332. Twitter: @shamsforjustice. Blog: http://shamsforpeace.blogspot.com/

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