Encyclopaedia of Eminent Thinkers: The Political Thought of M. S. Golwalkar

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This volume presents a critical evaluation of political ideology of Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, popularly known as Guruji. Providing deep insights into his life and achievements, it offers an elaborate discussion on his differential between nation and state, his definition of Rashtra as a geo-cultural concept, and his views on democracy, communism, socialism and secularism. His dialogue on Muslim problem, economic issues, agitations, population problem, religious matters and the RSS also finds place in discussion.

Dr. Jai Narain Sharma (b. 1951) is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Gandhian Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh. He is also Hon. Director of Gandhi Bhawan; member of Board of Studies, Nagpur University, Nagpur and Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi; member of Research Degree Committee of the Department of Political Science, H.P. University, Shimla: General Secretary of Indian Soviety of Gandhian Studies; and member on the Presidium of the Alliance for Sarvodaya. He regularly writes for leading newspapers, and has published more than hundred research papers in professional journals of repute. Dr. Sharma has many books to his credit including "Gandhi's View of Political Power", "Economics of Defence: A Study of SAARC Countries", "Economic Thought of Mahatma Gandhi", "Human Resource Management", "Alternative Economics: Economics of Mahatma Gandhi and Globalisation", "Power, Politics and Corruption: A Gandhian Solution" and "Research Methodology: The Discipline and its Dimensions".

Modern India has not produced a systematic political thinker like Manu or Kautilya but many of her leaders were creative individuals of high order whose utterances gave expression to many important ideas. These are of great significance both in theoretical and practical politics. The students of modern political thought are, therefore faced with the fact that although there are no systematically worked out theories of importance in their field of study, they cannot ignore the ideological implications of the views held by many statesmen.

Judged by any standard, Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, adored as "Guruji", belonged to the world-class thinkers of modern India- Vivekananda, Tilak, Savarkar, Aurobindo and Mahatma Gandhi.

Golwalkar's credo was to fight against anti-nationhood forces. He introduced an apolitical disposition in Indian politics, an antidote to Machiavellian mode of power-grabbing. In fact, he spelled out the 'service' concept of power which seems a far cry in the present system ridden with corruption, self-seeking and expediency. He advocated the age-old dictum of spiritualizing man with elevated consciousness as a base on which the moral structure and the politico-economic superstructure could be built. This was specifically a secular, national, innovative Rashtra paradigmatics consistent with the ennobling cultural heritage. A civilizational change was implied in the R.S.S. crusade for Hindu self-consciousness and is indestructible identity that has survived the vicissitude of history.

He is the modern exponent of that ancient wisdom which enabled the Hindu Society to steer clear of various self- contradictions that appear to be inherent in the natural scheme of things.

**Contents and Sample Pages**