‘Socialists, RSS had common ground then… Sangh families sustained underground movement’: Dattatreya Hosabale

The Gujarat CM had to resign under pressure of the student agitation. There were many such corrupt practices in different parts of the country… Student agitations were brewing on many campuses.

In Bihar, a student agitation started against price rise and corruption of the (state’s) Abdul Ghafoor government. The agitation was led by the ABVP and other student organisations. There was police lathicharge and firing on the students… There were widespread protests by the people and some prominent leaders in the society in response.

After this, the ABVP leaders and others approached Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan to guide them.

What was his response?

JP had two conditions. One, the agitation should be totally non-violent and peaceful. Second, it should not be led by political leaders. The student leaders consented, and JP agreed to lead the movement. The ABVP was an active participant… The Sangh leadership also stood behind this as it was an agitation for the betterment of society… a fight against corruption, price rise… and the demand was for better employment and education systems.

This is how the RSS joined the JP Movement… Not directly as an organisation – but indirectly – through swayamsevaks who were active among students, labour unions… JP’s agitation too was organised by these organisations (linked to the Sangh). And Sangh workers extended support for these tours, local meetings and rallies. Seeing all this, the Indira Gandhi government banned the RSS.

What was the Sangh’s experience of collaborating with the socialists and the Left? Many of them were – and are – your critics…

We had better relations with the socialists during the movement. Communists were not very active in most of the states… But the socialists, Samajwadi Jan Sabha, Jana Sangh and ABVP… We all had common meetings to organise rallies for JP…

There were some common points, common grounds (between socialists and the RSS). George Fernandes, Ravindra Verma, Ravi Ray, Mohan Dharia and many socialists…. all had direct interactions with (Jana Sangh leaders) Nanaji Deshmukh, Bhaurao Deoras and many others.

Student and youth organisations of the Sangh vichar parivar (the larger Sangh family) also played an active role. I was one of them in Karnataka.

Some people tried to oppose the participation of the ABVP, but JP directly told them that those who agree with the agenda of the movement can join in. He said others had no right to prevent the entry of any organisation that is ready to support those common points. Even those who were critical (of the RSS) had to shut their mouth.

How did RSS sustain an underground resistance despite being banned and facing jail?

On November 14 1975, the satyagraha against the Emergency was launched. A large number of the RSS cadre and other organisations inspired by the RSS were detained. In the beginning, the underground movement was led by Nanaji Deshmukh, Ravindra Verma, George Fernandes, Duttopant Thengadi and many others. When Nanaji Deshmukh and Ravindra Verma were arrested, the Lok Sangharsh Samithi (the common platform leading protests against the Emergency) appointed (RSS leader) Dattopant Thengadi as its general secretary.

So, the underground movement was sustained greatly because of the Sangh’s personal contacts and through the help of their families. To run an underground movement, it is necessary to escape from the eyes of the police… The RSS had this informal contact and communication.

For months together, workers who were part of the underground movement could not go to their families and homes. Many had to shut their business, resign from their jobs or discontinue their education.

Many people could not meet their family members, particularly elders, who were suffering because of certain diseases. Income was almost zero… Sangh workers made arrangements for various such resources through an organisational network.