The post of head of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is called “Sarsanghchalak”. RSS founder Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar became the first Sarsanghchalak. He was followed by Guru Golwalkar, Madhukar Dattatreya Deoras, Rajju Bhaiya, Prof. Sudarshan and currently Mohan Bhagwat took place. However, Laxman Vasudev Paranaye also held this position for some time.
Generally, the second largest position in the RSS is considered to be of Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) and a formal election is held every three years for this post. Currently Dattatreya Hosbole holds this position. However, the tradition regarding Sarsanghchalak is that Sarsanghchalak himself selects his successor keeping in mind the advice of senior officials. When the first Sarsanghchalak was elected to the RSS, he was neither consulted, nor informed nor consulted. Instead, senior RSS officials discussed and announced their names.
Dr. Hedgewar was shocked to hear his name “Sarsanghchalak”
The RSS was established in 1925 on the day of Vijayadashami. However, the post of Sarsanghchalak did not remain for the next four years. Dr. Hedgewar’s biographical writer Nana Palkar writes that in October 1929, discussions were going on within the RSS to organize a huge gathering in Nagpur. Dr. Hedgewar realized that a meeting of loyal and dedicated workers was more important. On October 19, 1929, he sent a letter to all the state RSS leaders, requesting him to attend a meeting to be held in Nagpur on 9 and 10 November. He also wrote that people dedicated to this purpose can also join it.
When all campaigners, RSS leaders, senior officials and volunteers gathered on the first day, it was felt that an administrative system was required, and a leader is also needed to lead it. Interestingly, Dr. Hedgewar was kept away from these discussions. Senior RSS officials including Vishwanath Rao Kelkar, Balaji Huddar, Appaji Joshi, Krishna Rao Moharir, Tatyaji Kalikar, Bapurao Muthal, Baba Saheb Kolte and Martand Rao Jog participated in the discussion. The next day, a joint program was held with Nagpur volunteers. Mohite’s Wada was chosen for this event. This was the second time in the history of RSS when Dr. Hedgewar started the first branch of RSS there.
When Dr. Hedgewar was standing near the saffron flag, all the people were standing near the entrance. Suddenly, Wardha RSS chief Appaji Joshi shouted loudly, “Sarsanghchalak, Pranam, Ek … Do … three.” This is a common greeting to the saffron flag in the RSS, which the volunteers consider their guru. On saying “Ek”, everyone put his right hand on his chest, only his thumbs touching his chest and his palms were towards the ground. On saying “two”, his head bowed down and he came to his normal position when he said “three”. Dr. Hedgewar remained speechless. Meanwhile, Appaji Joshi apprised everyone of the decisions taken in the previous meeting and explained in detail how the RSS’s administrative system is being established under the leadership of Sarsanghchalak. Dr. Hedgewar was elected the first Sarsanghchalak.
Dr. Hedgewar was unhappy with his appointment as Sarsanghchalak
After this Vishwanath Rao Kelkar gave his effective speech. Although Dr. Hedgewar remained silent at that time, he later expressed his displeasure to Appaji Joshi, especially the way the “Sarsanghchalak Pranam” ceremony was held in his honor. However, Appaji Joshi stated the need of a formal head to run the organization smoothly, and everything else was enthusiastically. He also said that if he had been told earlier, he would not have agreed.
However, apart from Sarsanghchalak that day, two other important posts were also announced, and the names of two senior volunteers were announced for him. Balaji Huddar was elected Sarkaryavah and Martandrao Jog was elected as Sarasena. Although these posts later disappeared from the Chief Executive of the RSS, the posts of Sarsanghchalak and Sarkaryavah are still considered the highest posts among the RSS and its allies.
