Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar (1904–1973) The Rashtriya Svayamsevak Sangh's second sarsanghchalak ("Supreme Leader") (RSS).
The RSS is a conservative Hindu group whose stated objective is to develop a leadership cadre for a rejuvenated Hindu India; throughout the most of its existence, the RSS has described its mission as cultural rather than religious or political.
In RSS history, Golwalkar is a pivotal player.
After the death of the organization's founder, Dr. K.B. Hedgewar, he assumed command in 1940 and led it through the turbulent years leading up to India's independence.
The RSS and numerous other organizations were temporarily outlawed after Mohandas Gandhi was assassinated by Hindu nationalist Nathuram Godse in 1948.
The RSS has never been linked to Gandhi's killing, despite initial suspicions.
The RSS continued to operate underground under the prohibition, and many of its leaders became more politically involved, a movement Golwalkar had previously resisted.
When the prohibition was lifted in 1949, the RSS started to wield more power by founding and financing connected groups including labor unions, student organizations, charity organizations, and political parties.
This pattern lasted throughout Golwalkar's presidency, albeit he was significantly less active than his successor, Balasaheb Deoras.
See Walter K. Andersen and Shridhar D. Damle's The Brotherhood in Saffron (1987) and Tapan Basu et alKhaki .'s Shorts and Saffron Flags (1993) for further information.
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