Quick Info
| Profession | Author, Lawyer, Political activist |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Date of Birth | 19/02/1906 |
| Age | 67 years (died on 05, Jun, 1973) |
| Birthplace | Nagpur, Maharashtra |
| Date of Death | 05/06/1973 |
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Bio/Wiki
| Other Name | Guruji |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Madhav Sadashivrao Golwalkar |
| Title | Second Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) |
Physical Stats & More
| Eye Color | Black |
|---|---|
| Hair Color | White and Black |
Educational Qualification(s)
| College/University |
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| Qualifications |
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Personal Life
| Religion | Hinduism |
|---|---|
| Hobby | Reading |
| Cause of Death | Cancer |
Family
| Father | Sadashivrao (Clerk in the Posts and Telegraphs Department) |
|---|---|
| Mother | Lakshmibai Golwalkar |
| Siblings | Eight siblings (only surviving son) |
Career
| Overview | M. S. Golwalkar was a prominent figure in the Hindutva movement as the second Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from 1940 to 1973 and played a significant role in shaping its ideologies. His leadership spanned 33 years during which the RSS expanded its influence in various sectors, growing from approximately 100,000 to over a million members. |
|---|---|
| Influences | He was inspired by leaders like Madan Mohan Malaviya and K. B. Hedgewar, the founder of RSS. His own experiences led him to conceptualize Hindu Rashtra, a term that denotes a cultural nation. |
| Political Activism | Golwalkar became a key political figure after joining RSS and took on various responsibilities, including translating works important to the organization's ethos. He was arrested following the ban on RSS after Mahatma Gandhi's assassination in 1948 but was later released with all charges dropped. |
| Contributions | His books and ideologies, notably 'We, or Our Nationhood Defined' and 'Bunch of Thoughts', have been crucial in defining the organization's outlook and approach. He transformed the RSS into a multi-layered organization with branches in labour unions, tribal welfare, and other sectors. The Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which later became the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was created as a political wing of the RSS under his leadership. |
| Key Positions | General Secretary of RSS (1939), Second Sarsanghchalak of RSS (1940-1973) |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. He was raised in Ramtek, Maharashtra and developed a deep interest in religion and spiritual meditation as he matured. | |
| 2. Despite pursuing a prestigious education, his aspirations for a doctorate in Marine Biology were cut short due to family circumstances. | |
| 3. Golwalkar was affectionately referred to as Guruji by his students, a title that reflects his revered status among followers. | |
| 4. His leadership was marked by significant growth and transformation within RSS, including its rebranding after a ban in 1948. | |
| 5. He pioneered the concept of a united Hindu nation, which has left a lasting impact on nationalist ideologies in India. | |
| 6. He voluntarily suspended all RSS activities for six months following the organization's ban in 1948. | |
| 7. Two Indian prime ministers from the BJP—Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi—are members of the RSS, an organization shaped significantly by Golwalkar's ideology. |