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{{short description|Hindutva ideologue}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2014}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = M. S. Golwalkar
| image = Golwalkar.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = hi
| birth_name = Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar
| birth_date = 19 February 1906
| birth_place = [[Ramtek]], [[Central Provinces and Berar]], [[British India]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1973|06|05|1906|02|19|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Nagpur]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| succeeded = [[Madhukar Dattatraya Deoras]]
| office = [[Sarsanghchalak]] of the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]]
| term_start = 1940
| term_end = 1973
| preceded = [[Keshav Baliram Hedgewar]]
| alma_mater = [[Hislop College]]<br/>[[Banaras Hindu University]]
| occupation = Former chief of [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|RSS]]
}}

'''Madhavrao Sadashivrao Golwalkar''' (19 February 1906 – 5 June 1973) was the second ''[[Sarsanghchalak]]'' (or, "Chief"{{sfn|Jaffrelot, Hindu Nationalist Movement|1996|p=39}}) of the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS). He has been widely noted to be the most prominent ideologue of [[Hindutva]]. He was known for his intellectual commentary on Indian politics and religion. Golwalkar is considered one of the most influential and prominent figures among [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]]. He was not the first person to put forward the concept of a cultural nation called "[[Hindu Rashtra]]" which is believed to have evolved into the concept of the [[Akhand Bharat|"akhand bharat theory"]], united nations for Bharatiyas. Golwalkar was one of the early [[hindu nationalist]] thinkers in India.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.questia.com/library/100526434/the-saffron-wave-democracy-and-hindu-nationalism|title=The Saffron Wave: Democracy and Hindu Nationalism in Modern India|last=Hansen|first=Thomas Blom|publisher=Princeton University Press|year=1999|isbn=978-0-691-00671-0|pages=80|chapter=Imagining the Hindu Nation|jstor=j.ctt7s2fq|author-link=Thomas Blom Hansen|chapter-url=https://www.degruyter.com/view/books/9781400823055/9781400823055.60/9781400823055.60.xml}}</ref> <ref name="Guha">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sundaymagazine/the-guru-of-hate/article3232784.ece|author=Ramchandra Guha |title=The guru of hate |newspaper=The Hindu |date=26 November 2006}}</ref> Golwalkar authored the book ''We, or Our Nationhood Defined''.{{sfn|Jaffrelot, Hindu Nationalist Movement|1996|p=52-58}}{{sfn|Noorani, The RSS and the BJP|2000|p=18-23}}<ref name="Modi_Caravan">{{cite web|title=Narendra Modi on Guruji Golwalkar, translated by Aakar Patel – Part 1|url=http://www.caravanmagazine.in/vantage/modi-golwalkar-part-1|access-date=20 June 2015}}</ref> ''Bunch of Thoughts'' is a compilation of his speeches.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.thehinducentre.com/multimedia/archive/02486/Bunch_of_Thoughts_2486072a.pdf|title=Bunch of Thoughts|publisher=The Hindu Centre|year=1960}}</ref>

==Early life==
Golwalkar was born to Sadashivrao and Lakshmibai in a [[Marathi people|Marathi]] [[Karhade Brahmin]]<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ozLMmp6pcJ4C&pg=PR9|title=Terrifying vision : M.S. Golwalkar, the RSS, and India|publisher=Sharma, Jyotirmaya (2007)|year=2007|isbn=9780670999507}}</ref> family at [[Ramtek]], near [[Nagpur]] in [[Maharashtra]]. His family was prosperous and supported him in his studies and activities. Sadashivrao, a former clerk in the posts and telegraphs department, became a teacher in the [[Central Provinces]] and ended his career as headmaster of a high school. Golwalkar was the only surviving son of nine children. Since his father was frequently transferred around the country, he attended a number of schools. Golwalkar studied science and was apt and apolitical as a student. As an adolescent, he developed a deep interest in religion and spiritual meditation.{{sfn|Andersen|Damle|1987|p=41}}{{sfn|Jaffrelot, Hindu Nationalist Movement|1996|p=46}}<ref name=Sundaram>{{cite news |author=V. Sundaram |title=Salutations to Golwalkar - I |newspaper=News Today |date=9 January 2006 |url=http://www.hindunet.org/hvk/articles/0106/52.html |access-date=10 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016042603/http://www.hindunet.org/hvk/articles/0106/52.html |archive-date=16 October 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>Sharma, J., 2007. Terrifying Vision: MS Golwalkar, the RSS, and India. Penguin Books India.</ref>
Golwalkar enrolled in [[Hislop College]], a missionary-run educational institute in Nagpur. At the college, he was reportedly incensed at the [[criticism of christianity|"open advocacy" of Christianity]] and the [[anti-Hindu sentiment|disparagement of Hinduism]]; much of his concern for the defence of Hinduism is traceable to this experience.{{sfn|Andersen|1972a|p=594}} Golwalkar left Hislop College for [[Benaras Hindu University]] (BHU) in [[Varanasi]], receiving a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in 1927 and a master's degree in biology in 1929.{{sfn|Andersen|1972a|p=594}}{{sfn|Andersen|Damle|1987|p=41}} He was influenced by [[Madan Mohan Malaviya]], a nationalist leader and founder of the university.<ref>Sheshadri, H. V., [http://www.golwalkarguruji.org/shri-guruji/biography/who-was-shri-guruji Shri Guruji - Biography] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208132353/http://www.golwalkarguruji.org/shri-guruji/biography/who-was-shri-guruji |date=8 December 2015 }}, golwalkarguruji.org.</ref> Golwalkar went to [[Madras]] to pursue a doctorate in [[Marine Life|marine biology]], but could not complete it because of his father's retirement;<ref name=Sundaram/> he later taught zoology for three years at BHU. His students called him "Guruji" because of his beard, long hair and simple robe, a practice later continued in a reverential manner by his RSS followers. Golwalkar returned to [[Nagpur]], and obtained a law degree by 1937.{{sfn|Jaffrelot, Hindu Nationalist Movement|1996|p=40}}{{sfn|Andersen|Damle|1987|p=41}}

While he was lecturing at Benares Hindu University, [[Bhaiyaji Dani]], a student and close associate of RSS ''[[Sarsanghchalak]]'' [[K. B. Hedgewar]], founded an [[RSS shakha]] in Varanasi.{{sfn|Jaffrelot, Hindu Nationalist Movement|1996|pp=65-66}} Although Golwalkar attended meetings and was esteemed by its members, there is "no indication that Golwalkar took a keen interest" in the organisation.{{sfn|Andersen|Damle|1987|p=41}} In 1931, Hedgewar visited Benares and was drawn to the ascetic Golwalkar.{{sfn|Andersen|Damle|1987|p=41}}

After returning to Nagpur, Hedgewar exerted greater influence on Golwalkar. According to RSS sources, Hedgewar encouraged him to pursue a law degree because it would give him the reputation required of an RSS leader. In 1934, Hedgewar made him secretary ({{Lang|hi|karyavah}}) of the main Nagpur branch. After he began practising law, Hedgewar tasked him with the management of the Akola Officers' Training Camp.{{sfn|Andersen|1972a|p=594}}{{sfn|Andersen|Damle|1987|p=42}}

In October 1936, Golwalkar abandoned his law practice and RSS work for the Sargachi [[Ramakrishna Mission]] ashram in [[West Bengal]] to renounce the world and become a [[sanyasi]]. He became a disciple of [[Swami Akhandananda]], who was a disciple of [[Ramakrishna]] and brother monk of [[Swami Vivekananda]].{{sfn|Andersen|Damle|1987|p=42}} On 13 January 1937 Golwalkar reportedly received his [[diksha]], but left the [[ashram]] soon afterwards.<ref>{{cite web |author=Swami Bhaskarananda |title=Life in Indian Monasteries |publisher=Viveka Press |year=2004 |pages=16–19 |url=http://organiser.org/archives/historic/dynamic/modulesde66.html?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=145&page=16}}</ref>
He returned to Nagpur in a state of depression and indecision to seek Hedgewar's advice after his guru died in 1937, and Hedgewar convinced him that his obligation to society could best be fulfilled by working for the RSS.{{sfn|D. R. Goyal, RSS|1979|p=78}}

=={{anchor|Leadership of RSS}}RSS leadership==
After Golwalkar rejoined the RSS, Hedgewar apparently began grooming him for leadership and he was placed in charge of the All-India Officers' Training Camp from 1937 to 1939. Golwalkar's abilities (managing complex details of the large camp, public speaking, reading and writing) were appreciated. In 1938, he was asked to translate [[G. D. Savarkar]]'s 1934 [[Marathi language]] {{Lang|mr|Rashtra Mimansa}} (''Nationalism'') into Hindi and English. The resulting book, ''We, or Our Nationhood Defined'', was published in Golwalkar's name and regarded as a systematic treatment of RSS ideology;{{sfn|Andersen|Damle|1987|p=43}} the fact that it was an abridged translation did not come to light until 1963.{{refn|{{harvtxt|D. R. Goyal, RSS|1979|pp=80–81}}: According to [[Dhananjay Keer|Keer]]"s report, "Golwalkar... said that the book ''We'' which was read by the RSS was the abridgement done by him (Golwalkar) of the work ''Rashtra Mimansa'' of Babarao Savarkar. He added that he had translated Babarao Savarkar's book into Hindi and handed it over to a certain man. He said that it was most befitting on his part to acknowledge publicly the debt of gratitude."}}

In 1939, at a [[Dakshina#Gurudakshina|Gurudakshina]] festival, Hedgewar announced that Golwalkar would be the next general secretary ({{Lang|hi|sarkaryavah}}, the second-most-important position in the RSS).{{sfn|Andersen|Damle|1987|p=43}} A day before he died on 21 June 1940, he gave Golwalkar a sheet of paper asking him to be the RSS leader. On 3 July, five state-level {{Lang|hi|sanghchalak}} (directors) in Nagpur announced Hedgewar's decision.{{sfn|Andersen|Damle|1987|p=41}}

Golwalkar's choice was said to have stunned the RSS volunteers,{{sfn|Andersen|Damle|1987|p=41}} since Hedgewar passed over several senior activists. Golwalkar's background, training, and interests made him an unlikely successor, and [[Balasaheb Deoras]] said that several RSS leaders were sceptical about Golwalkar's ability as a {{Lang|hi|sarsanghchalak}}.{{sfn|Andersen|Damle|1987|p=41}} In retrospect, Hedgewar's grooming (including encouragement to obtain a law degree and the authorship of ''We, or Our Nationhood Defined''), is seen as key to Golwalkar's later success. One reason advanced for his choice is that he was thought likely to maintain RSS independence, otherwise liable to be regarded as a youth front of the [[Hindu Mahasabha]].{{sfn|D. R. Goyal, RSS|1979|pp=78-82}}

As RSS' leader for more than 30 years, Golwalkar made it one of the strongest religious-political organisations in India; its membership expanded from 100,000 to over one million, and it branched out into the political, social, religious, educational and labour fields through 50 [[Sangh Parivar|front organisations]]. The RSS extended to foreign countries, where Hindus were recruited into organisations such as the Bharatiya Swayamsevak Sangh or the [[Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh]].{{sfn|D. R. Goyal, RSS|1979|p=84}} There was a subtle yet important shift in the RSS worldview. One of Golwalkar's major innovations was an [[Anti-communism|anti-communist]], anti-socialist ideology, with the slogan "Not socialism but Hinduism." According to [[D. R. Goyal]], the RSS' anti-Marxist tinge made it popular with the wealthy sections of society who generously supported it.{{sfn|D. R. Goyal, RSS|1979|pp=82-84}}

The RSS expanded into [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] in 1940, when [[Balraj Madhok]] was sent as a {{Lang|hi|pracharak}} to [[Jammu]] with [[Prem Nath Dogra]] as director. A {{Lang|hi|shakha}} was founded in [[Srinagar]] in 1944, and Golwalkar visited the city in 1946. On 18 October 1947 he is reported to have met [[Maharaja Hari Singh]] at the request of India's Home Minister [[Vallabhbhai Patel]] to persuade the Maharaja to accede to India. He was accompanied by the RSS Delhi {{Lang|hi|pracharak}} [[Vasantrao Oak]] and the RSS United Provinces {{Lang|hi|sanghchalak}} Narendrajit Singh. Although it is believed that the maharaja agreed to the proposal, the accession was not signed until 26 October after the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947|invasion by Pakistan]].{{sfn|Chitkara, RSS National Upsurge|2004|p=263}}{{sfn|Mahesh Sharma, Shri Guruji Golwalkar|2006|p=44}}<ref>
{{cite news |author=Tapan Bose |title=Modi's Kashmir Policy |newspaper=Kashmir Times |date=1 September 2014 |url=https://www.academia.edu/8179707 |access-date=2016-05-02}}
</ref>

==={{anchor|Reorientation of the RSS}}Reorientation===
Golwalkar's religiosity and apparent disinterest in politics convinced some RSS members that the organisation was no longer relevant to the nationalist struggle. It remained separate from the freedom movement, and connections with the Hindu Mahasabha were severed. The RSS membership in the Marathi-speaking districts of Bombay became disillusioned and the Bombay {{Lang|hi|sanghchalak}}, K. B. Limaye, resigned. Several {{Lang|hi|swayamsevaks}} defected and formed the [[Hindu Rashtra Dal]] in 1943, with an agenda of a paramilitary struggle against British rule; [[Nathuram Godse]] ([[assassination of Mahatma Gandhi|Gandhi's assassin]]) was a leader of that group.{{sfn|Andersen|Damle|1987|p=43}}

However, Golwalkar moved quickly to consolidate his position. He created a network of {{Lang|hi|prant pracharaks}} (provincial organisers), who would report to him rather than to the {{Lang|hi|sanghchalaks}}. Golwalkar recruited local Congress leaders to preside over RSS functions, demonstrating the organisation's independence from the Hindu Mahasabha.{{sfn|Andersen|Damle|1987|p=44}} The RSS continued to expand during the Second World War, especially in North India and present-day Pakistan. Many new members were religious, small-scale entrepreneurs interested in consolidating their caste positions with the RSS' Hindu symbols.{{sfn|Andersen|Damle|1987|p=45}}

Organisation policy during the war years was influenced by potential threats to Hinduism, with the RSS expected to be prepared to defend Hindu interests in the event of a Japanese invasion. It also expected a renewed Hindu-Muslim struggle after the war. Golwalkar did not want to give the British government an excuse to ban the RSS. He complied with all governmental instructions, disbanding the RSS military department and avoiding the [[Quit India]] movement. The British acknowledged that the organisation "scrupulously kept itself within the law, and refrained from taking part in the disturbances that broke out in August, 1942".{{sfn|Andersen|Damle|1987|p=44}}<ref name="Bandyopādhyāẏa2004">{{cite book|author=Śekhara Bandyopādhyāẏa|title=From Plassey to Partition: A History of Modern India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0oVra0ulQ3QC&pg=PA422|date=1 January 2004|publisher=Orient Blackswan|isbn=978-81-250-2596-2|pages=422–}}</ref>{{sfn|Bipan Chandra, Communalism|2008|p=140}} RSS effectively became a tool<ref>https://thewire.in/history/rss-hindutva-nationalism</ref> of colonial British government to keep Indian populace divided in the name of religion and thus weakening independence struggle.

In addition to pragmatism, Golwalkar appeared ideologically opposed to an anti-British struggle; the RSS pledged to defend India's freedom by defending religion and culture, and there was "no mention of the departure of the British".<ref name="Golwalkar1974">{{cite book|author=M.S. Golwalkar|title=Shri Guruji Samagra Darshan, Volume 4|date=1974|publisher=Bharatiya Vichar Sadhana}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Shamsul Islam|title=Religious Dimensions of Indian Nationalism: A Study of RSS|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iaQjbO8SN48C&pg=PA191|year=2006|publisher=Media House|isbn=978-81-7495-236-3|pages=191–}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Ram Puniyani|title=Religion, Power and Violence: Expression of Politics in Contemporary Times|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ioyHAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA135|date=6 July 2005|publisher=SAGE Publications|isbn=978-81-321-0206-9|pages=135–}}</ref>

He called the conflation of anti-Britishism with patriotism and nationalism a "reactionary view", which would have "disastrous effects upon the entire course of the freedom struggle".<ref name="Basu1993">{{cite book|author=Tapan Basu|title=Khaki Shorts and Saffron Flags: A Critique of the Hindu Right|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CimVTTVHtwQC&pg=PA29|date=1 January 1993|publisher=Orient Blackswan|isbn=978-0-86311-383-3|pages=29–}}</ref><ref name="Ludden1996">{{cite book|author=David Ludden|title=Contesting the Nation: Religion, Community, and the Politics of Democracy in India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jEUdPqYQjhoC&pg=PA274|date=1 April 1996|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|isbn=0-8122-1585-0|pages=274–}}</ref> Golwalkar acknowledged that his attitude confused people (including many {{Lang|hi|swayamsevaks}} in the RSS), leading them to distrust the Sangh.<ref>{{cite book|author=Shamsul Islam|title=Religious Dimensions of Indian Nationalism: A Study of RSS|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iaQjbO8SN48C&pg=PA187|year=2006|publisher=Media House|isbn=978-81-7495-236-3|pages=187–}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Ram Puniyani|title=Religion, Power and Violence: Expression of Politics in Contemporary Times|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZdPipb-u21gC&pg=PA134|date=21 July 2005|publisher=SAGE Publications|isbn=978-0-7619-3338-0|pages=134–}}</ref> At the peak of the freedom struggle Golwalkar had famously uttered "Hindus, don’t waste your energy fighting the British. Save your energy to fight our internal enemies that are [[Muslims]], [[Christians]], and [[Communism|Communists]]."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Why Is Anand Teltumbde So Dangerous for the Narendra Modi Government?|url=https://thewire.in/rights/anand-teltumbde-arrest-narendra-modi|access-date=2020-12-07|website=The Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-03-06|title=BJP's brand of patriotism|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/533034/bjps-brand-patriotism.html|access-date=2020-12-07|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref>

==={{anchor|RSS ban and arrest|Sangh Parivar}}Ban and arrest===
When [[Mahatma Gandhi]] was assassinated in January 1948 by [[Nathuram Godse]], there was widespread apprehension that the RSS was involved.{{sfn|Andersen|1972c|p=675}} Golwalkar and 20,000 {{Lang|hi|swayamsevaks}} were arrested on 4 February, and the RSS was banned for promoting "violence" and "subversion".{{sfn|D. R. Goyal, RSS|1979|pp=201-202}} Godse said that he acted on his own initiative, and no official connection between the RSS and Gandhi's assassination has ever been made. However, Nathuram Godse's brother [[Gopal Godse]]—also accused in the assassination plot—said that Nathuram never left the RSS and his statement was designed to protect the RSS and Golwalkar (who were "in deep trouble" after the assassination).<ref>{{cite news|title=The BJP and Nathuram Godse|url=http://www.frontline.in/books/the-bjp-and-nathuram-godse/article4328688.ece|date=8 February 2013|publisher=Frontline|access-date=25 June 2015}}</ref> Golwalkar was released on 5 August, after the six-month statutory limit expired.{{sfn|Andersen|1972c|p=675}}

The RSS ban continued, and Golwalkar tried to negotiate with [[Home Minister]] [[Vallabhbhai Patel]] about having it lifted. The mass arrests, violence against members and the ban by an independent Indian government of what was understood as a patriotic organisation was a shock to the RSS membership.{{sfn|Andersen|1972c|p=675}}

Although Patel asked the RSS to join the Congress, Golwalkar disapproved. Patel then demanded, as a precondition, that the RSS adopt a written constitution. Golwalkar responded by beginning a [[satyagraha]] on 9 December 1948, and he and 60,000 RSS volunteers were arrested. RSS leaders [[Eknath Ranade]], [[Bhaiyaji Dani]] and [[Balasaheb Deoras]] suspended the satyagraha in January 1949 and, in collaboration with liberal leader [[T. R. Venkatarama Sastri]],<ref>{{cite news |title=RSS to abandon politics |newspaper=The Hindu |date=24 May 1949 |url=http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/archive/01619/01_RSS_abandons_po_1619424a.pdf |access-date=2014-10-14}}</ref> wrote an RSS constitution of which Patel approved. The ban was lifted on 11 July 1949.{{sfn|Jaffrelot, Hindu Nationalist Movement|1996|p=88-89}}
The government of India issued a statement that the decision to lift the ban had been made in view of Golwalkar's promise of loyalty to the [[Constitution of India]] and acceptance of India's national flag explicitly in the RSS constitution.<ref name="FES">{{citation |last=Curran |first=Jean A. |title=The RSS: Militant Hinduism |journal=Far Eastern Survey |volume=19 |number=10 |date=17 May 1950 |pages=93–98 |jstor=3023941|doi=10.2307/3023941}}</ref>{{sfn|Noorani, The RSS and the BJP|2000|p=43}} Organisations founded and supported by RSS volunteers became collectively known as [[Sangh Parivar]].

== Writings and Ideology ==
Golwalkar is known to have propagated Dharmic teachings. A book based on extracts of his writings, titled ''Guruji: Vision and Mission'', includes a chapter titled "Hindu—the Son of this Motherland", which claims that 'Bhartiya' includes only those who have followed faiths rooted in pluralism, and that Indic faith followers represent this in India, since it accepts all approaches towards spirituality. In another chapter titled "Our Identity and Nationality", he wrote that "All the elements required to develop as a great nation are present in this Hindu society in their entirety. This is why we say that in this nation of Bharat, living principles of the Hindu society are the living systems of this nation. In short, this is ‘Hindu Nation’.".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/how-rss-infiltrating-india-intellectual-spaces|title=How the RSS is infiltrating India's intellectual spaces|last=Bal|first=Hartosh Singh|website=The Caravan|access-date=2019-07-28}}</ref> Some of Golwalkar's ideas have differed with those from the RSS. For example, in his book ''We or Our Nationhood Defined'' published in 1939, he compares the creation of a Hindu culture propagating the concept of acceptance of a shared Hindu heritage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/golwalkar-ideology-underpins-modi-india|title=How MS Golwalkar's virulent ideology underpins Modi's India|last=Bal|first=Hartosh Singh|website=The Caravan|access-date=2019-08-13}}</ref>

Golwalkar always believed that [[casteism]] "served a great purpose in critical times".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-04-23|title=No love for Ambedkar|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/ram-madhav-b-r-ambedkar-indian-constitution-no-love-for-ambedkar-2766152/|access-date=2020-12-07|website=The Indian Express}}</ref> He called [[Manusmriti|Manu]] "the first, greatest and the wisest lawgiver of mankind".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-02-22|title=RSS's standardised Hinduism – Part 4|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/seeing-the-invisible/rsss-standardised-hinduism-part-4/|access-date=2020-12-07|website=Times of India Blog}}</ref>

According to [[Ramachandra Guha]]'s book ''Makers of Modern India'', Golwalkar saw Muslims, Christians and communists as the biggest threats to the creation of a Hindu state. Golwalkar has been criticized for similarities in ideas with those of the [[Nazism|Nazis]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Guha|first=Ramachandra|title=Makers of Modern India|publisher=Penguin Books|year=2013|isbn=978-8-184-75289-2|location=India}}</ref> For instance, Golwalkar's book ''We, or Our Nationhood Defined'', published in 1939, includes the following quote:

{{Cquote|"To keep up the purity of the nation and its culture, Germany shocked the world by her purging the country of Semitic races – the Jews. National pride at its highest has been manifested here. Germany has also shown how well-nigh impossible it is for races and cultures, having differences going to the root, to be assimilated into one united whole, a good lesson for us in Hindustan to learn and profit by.”<ref>{{cite book |last1=Golwalkar |first1=M. S. |title=We, or Our Nationhood Defined |date=1939 |publisher=Bharat Publications |location=Nagpur |pages=87-88}}</ref>
}}

However, Golwalkar cooperated with the British in [[World War II]] in their war against Hitler and Nazism and the [[Axis Powers]], and was supportive of the Jews, showing admiration and sympathy for them.<ref name="Golwalkar1974" /><ref>{{cite book|title=Golwalkar's We or our nationhood defined: a critique |page=30 |publisher=Pharos Media & Pub. |year=2006 |author=Shamsul Islam}}</ref> He was also firmly supportive of the formation of [[Israel]].<ref>{{cite report|last1=Quraiza|first1=Jai Banu|title=Hindu Pro-Zionism and Philo-Semitism|url=http://www.nhsf.org.uk/images/stories/HinduDharma/Interfaith/hinduzion.pdf|date=January 2004|page=84|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060423090103/http://www.nhsf.org.uk/images/stories/HinduDharma/Interfaith/hinduzion.pdf|archive-date=23 April 2006|access-date=11 April 2014}}</ref>

==Legacy==
It is the works of [[K.B. Hedgewar]] and Golwalkar, which made [[RSS]] the largest non-political organization in India and led to the formation of [[BJP]].
{{Citation needed|date=January 2021|reason=Your explanation here}}

The move of Central Government to name the second campus of [[Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology]] after Golwalkar has led to controversy in [[Kerala]].<ref>{{Cite news|others=Special Correspondent|date=2020-12-05|title=Naming of Kerala institute after RSS leader Gowalkar kicks up a row|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/naming-of-rgcb-unit-after-gowalkar-kicks-up-a-row/article33258778.ece|access-date=2021-04-10|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/dec/12/golwalkars-name-for-rgcb-to-shift-narrative-pinarayi-2235043.html</ref> [[Shashi Tharoor]], in a series of tweets, asked whether the centre should "memorialize a bigoted Hitler-admirer who in a 1966 speech to VHP asserted the supremacy of religion over science"<ref>{{Cite web|last1=ThiruvananthapuramDecember 5|first1=P. S. Gopikrishnan Unnithan|last2=December 5|first2=2020UPDATED|last3=Ist|first3=2020 20:31|title=Shashi Tharoor slams Centre for renaming 2nd RGCB campus after RSS ideologue with 'bigoted Hitler-admirer' jibe|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/shashi-tharoor-slams-centre-for-renaming-2nd-rgcb-campus-after-rss-ideologue-with-bigoted-hitler-admirer-jibe-1746983-2020-12-05|access-date=2021-04-10|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>[[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] opposed this move and Kerala Chief Minister [[Pinarayi Vijayan]] has sent a letter to Centre requesting it to reconsider its decision to name the second campus of Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology ([[RGCB]]), coming up in Thiruvananthapuram, after M S Golwalkar.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-06|title=In letter to Centre, Kerala CM opposes move to name new Centre for Biotechnology campus after Golwalkar|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/in-letter-to-centre-kerala-cm-opposes-move-to-name-new-rgcb-campus-after-golwalkar-7093115/|access-date=2021-04-10|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref><ref>https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/golwalkar-s-name-for-new-rgcb-campus-pinarayi-vijayan-writes-to-harsh-vardhan-1.5258311</ref>

== {{anchor|See Also}}See also ==
* [[Indigenous Aryans]]
* [[Vinayak Damodar Savarkar]]

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
{{Refbegin|40em}}
* {{cite journal |last=Andersen |first=Walter |author-link=Walter K. Andersen |title=The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, I: Early Concerns |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=7 |number=11 |date=11 March 1972 |pages=589+591–597 |jstor=4361126 |ref={{sfnref|Andersen|1972a}}}}
* {{cite journal |last=Andersen |first=Walter |author-link=Walter K. Andersen |title=The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, II: Who Represents the Hindus? |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=7 |number=12 |date=18 March 1972 |pages=633–640 |jstor=4361149 |ref={{sfnref|Andersen|1972b}}}}
* {{citation |last=Andersen |first=Walter |author-link=Walter K. Andersen |title=The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, III: Participation in Politics |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=7 |number=13 |date=25 March 1972 |pages=673+675+677–682 |jstor=4361179 |ref={{sfnref|Andersen|1972c}}}}
* {{cite journal |last=Andersen |first=Walter |author-link=Walter K. Andersen |title=The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, IV: Jana Sangh and Other Organisations |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=7 |number=14 |date=1 April 1972 |pages=724–727 |jstor=4361197 |ref={{sfnref|Andersen|1972d}}}}
* {{citation |first1=Walter K. |last1=Andersen |author-link=Walter K. Andersen |first2=Shridhar D. |last2=Damle |title=The Brotherhood in Saffron: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Hindu Revivalism |orig-year=Originally published by Westview Press |publisher=Vistaar Publications|location=Delhi |year=1987}}
* {{citation |last=Chandra |first=Bipan |author-link=Bipan Chandra |title=Communalism in Modern India |publisher=Har-Anand |year=2008 |isbn=978-8124114162 |ref={{sfnref|Bipan Chandra, Communalism|2008}}}}
* {{citation |first=M. G. |last=Chitkara |title=Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh: National Upsurge |publisher=APH Publishing |year=2004 |isbn=8176484652 |ref={{sfnref|Chitkara, RSS National Upsurge|2004}}}}
* {{citation |last=Dayal |first=Rajeshwar |author-link=Rajeshwar Dayal |title=A Life of Our Times |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dZwwTjXT8GEC |year=1998 |publisher=Orient Blackswan |isbn=978-81-250-1546-8}}
* {{citation |first=Des Raj |last=Goyal |author-link=Des Raj Goyal |title=Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh |publisher=Radha Krishna Prakashan |location=Delhi |year=1979 |isbn=0836405668 |ref={{sfnref|D. R. Goyal, RSS|1979}}}}
* {{citation |last1=Guha|first1=Ramachandra|author-link=Ramachandra Guha |title=India after Gandhi : the history of the world's largest democracy|date=2008|publisher=Pan|location=London|isbn=9780330396110|edition=1. publ.}}
* {{citation |last=Jaffrelot |first=Christophe |author-link=Christophe Jaffrelot |title=The Hindu Nationalist Movement and Indian Politics |publisher=C. Hurst & Co. Publishers |year=1996 |isbn=978-1850653011 |ref={{sfnref|Jaffrelot, Hindu Nationalist Movement|1996}}}}
* {{citation |last=Noorani |first=A. G. |author-link=A. G. Noorani |title=The RSS and the BJP: A Division of Labour |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6PnBFW7cdtsC |year=2000 |publisher=LeftWord Books |isbn=978-81-87496-13-7 |ref={{sfnref|Noorani, The RSS and the BJP|2000}}}}
* {{citation |first=Mahesh |last=Sharma |title=Shri Guruji Golwalkar |publisher=Diamond Pocket Books |location=New Delhi |year=2006 |isbn=8128812459 |ref={{sfnref|Mahesh Sharma, Shri Guruji Golwalkar|2006}}}}
* {{cite book|last1=Raje|first1=C.P. Bhishikar ; translated into English by Sudhakar|title=Shri Guruji : pioneer of a new era|date=1999|publisher=Sahitya Sindhu Prakashana|location=Bangalore|isbn=81-86595-16-3|edition=1st}}
* {{cite book|last1=Islam|first1=Shamsul|title=Golwalkar's We or our nationhood defined : a critique|date=2006|publisher=Pharos Media & Pub.|location=New Delhi|isbn=8172210302|edition=1st}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
*[http://www.golwalkarguruji.org/ golwalkarguruji.org]
*{{cite web |title=RSS Declared Unlawful: GOI communique of February 4, 1948 (extracted from Goyal, 1979, pp. 201-202) |url=http://dilipsimeon.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/report-of-commission-of-inquiry-into.html |publisher=Dilip Simeon's blog |access-date=2014-10-11}}

{{s-start}}
{{succession box
|title=[[Sarsanghchalak|Sarsanghchalak of the RSS]]
|before=[[Dr. K. B. Hedgewar|Keshav Baliram Hedgewar]]
|after=[[Madhukar Dattatraya Deoras]]
|years=1940–1973}}
{{s-end}}
{{Sangh Parivar}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Golwalkar, M. S.}}
[[Category:1906 births]]
[[Category:1973 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Nagpur district]]
[[Category:Marathi people]]
[[Category:Sarsanghchalaks]]
[[Category:Hindu revivalist writers]]
[[Category:Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh pracharaks]]
[[Category:Indigenous Aryanists]]
[[Category:Banaras Hindu University alumni]]

M. S. Golwalkar - Revision history

Asiaarts: added references

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