Arise Bharat

Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, visited a Shakha of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Maharashtra 85 years ago.

On January 2, 1940, Dr. Ambedkar visited the RSS shakha in Karad, Satara district, where he addressed the Sangh swayamsevaks.

This event was reported in the Marathi daily Kesari on January 9, 1940, with a news clipping shared by the Vidarbha prant of the Vishwa Samvad Kendra (VSK).

During his visit, Dr. Ambedkar expressed a sense of belonging to the RSS despite differences on certain issues.

In his address, he remarked, “Although there are differences over certain issues, I look at the Sangh with a sense of belongingness.”

To commemorate this historic event, the Lok Kalyan Mandal Trust organized an ideological program called the Bandhutva Parishad at Shri Bhavani Sangh Sthan on January 2, 2025.

This, however, is not the first documented account of Dr. Ambedkar’s visit to an RSS shakha. The book Aamche Saheb references his visit to an RSS camp in 1939 on pages 25 and 53.   Aamche Saheb is a compilation of memories from Sri Balasaheb Salunke, a close associate of Dr. Ambedkar and a former Member of Parliament.

Salunke, who was never an RSS member, accompanied Dr. Ambedkar during his visit.

The book, compiled by Salunke’s son, Kashyap Salunke, along with Bhanudas Gaikwad, offers detailed insights into Balasaheb Salunke’s experiences with Dr. Ambedkar.

On page 53, Salunke recounts, “I had the fortune of meeting two great individuals who were dedicated to the upliftment of the depressed classes—Pujya Babasaheb Ambedkar and Dr. Hedgewar, the founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh—at Bhausaheb Gadkari’s residence (Pratapgarh) on May 12, 1939.”

In the Page 25 , last para ” he writes

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Dr. Hedgewar ( founder of RSS ) met at Bhausaheb Gadkari’s home in Pune. Sri Bhausaheb Abhyankar took all of us (including Balasaheb Salunke ) to the summer camp. Dr. Ambedkar addressed the swayamsevaks on military discipline and organisation.

These documented accounts should serve to dispel any confusion spread by those seeking to divide Hindu society, particularly by misleading the Scheduled Castes about the RSS.

These individuals falsely present themselves as the champions of Dalits, while the RSS works tirelessly to unite the Hindu community, transcending all divisions.