The Guardian of Hinduism: Manifestations of Ideals and Accomplishments
The former guardian of “Vishva Hindu Parishad” Late. Shri Ashok Singhal Ji doesn’t require an introduction. A dedicated promoter of “Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh” for almost 65 years, Ashok Ji devoted his whole life for the sacred purpose of guarding the country, society, religion and the culture of Bharat. The 80’s eminent Hindu society’s operator, Shri Ashok Singhal Ji who had his first extempore speech, not only broke the myth that Hindus can’t be united but also got his caliber of the successful leadership acknowledged. He initiated the movement for “Ram Janambhoomi”, Gau Raksha (Cow Protection) and untouchability. Handling several movements at the same time, Shri Ashok Singhal Ji not only brought all the saints of Bharat on a single platform but also got successful in uniting the Hindu society through these movements.
With the help of Rajju Bhaiyya, the former chief of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Ashok Ji became the propagator of the Sangh in 1950. He was extremely determined to serve the country and the Hindu society. Till 80’s and 90’s, there was no documentation or any book written that could depict and portray his life and accomplishments. Although, Ashok Ji was famous nationally and internationally but no one knew the devotion and sacrifices that he made.
The Nationalist and the social worker for the “Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh”, Mr. Mahesh Bhagchandka decided to write a book on his life to enlighten every aspect of his life and the works that Ashok Ji had done throughout his life. To get the information for the book, Mr. Bhagchandka first took the guidance of his uncle Mr. Satyanarayana Bhagchandka, Vice President and the Treasurer of VHP. In order to get each and every piece of information regarding Ashok ji, he kept on cooperating with the senior members of the Sangh like Mr. Joshi, Mr. Bajrang Gupt, Mr. Ramlal, Mr. Dinesh and Mr. Champat Rai.
After putting his great efforts, Mr. Bhagchandka wrote a book to make the readers go through all the facets of Ashok Ji's personality and duties. There are relevant descriptions of Ashok Ji’s life including his childhood and teenage life up till now. The inclusion of beautiful and numerous pictures of different historical occasions make this book worth reading and viewing. Even the writer considers himself lucky to portray the personality of the one who sacrificed his childhood, youth, family and life for the welfare of the country, society & Hinduism and addresses Shri Ashok Ji a great warrior and a true patriot.
This book, on one side, has been successful in bringing Ashok Ji’s whole life’s duties & heart touching incidents and on the other side, shows certain oblivious facts. There are many heart-wrangling incidents especially in the childhood and adulthood. There is an interesting elucidation of this music lover and engineering student, Shri Ashok Singhal Ji, who had a very prosperous family and who dedicated his life for the Hindu society.
This book specially reflects the progression and interesting information about joining the mass protest against the restrictions forced on the “Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh” after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, joining the “Quit Bharat Movement” in 1942 and fondness towards RSS because of the “Muslim Appeasement Policy”. One more specialty of this book is that it has covered the descriptive information about Ashok Ji’s family members.
Some interesting facts about Ashok ji’s devoted life
Ashok ji was determined to dedicate his life for the protection of the country, society, Hinduism and the Indian culture.
The dedication level of Ashok ji towards his duties was such that once he refused to take his suffering father to America for his treatment and candidly said, “I am busy in serving the nation and other brothers can go with him if they want”. Shri Ashok Singhal Ji who was a nation-oriented person couldn’t devote his time to even his mother who was on the death bed.
Being a promoter, Ashok ji spent years in a 5 by 8 feet room without any complaints. Even once, Rajju Bhaiyya complimented Ashok ji for his attire, saying, “Sunehre Lag Rahe Ho”. As a result, Ashok ji never touched that attire again.
A Heart Attack Augmented the Will Power
Ashok ji was already running the organization at a high pace to protect the country and Hinduism but an incident corroborated his will power even more. In 1962, Kanpur, a program called “Guru Dakshina” was being held at the house of Barrister Narendra Singh. While attending the other members, Singhal Ji suffered a severe heart attack there. That very moment, he realized that ultimately, we all have to die, empty handed. This incident made him stronger and persevering.
Ram Janmbhoomi movement
Ashok ji sharpened the movement during 80’s. With an amazing leadership capacity, he united all the saints of Bharat. His continuous efforts made it possible for all the Hindu devotees to come together and collectively act in the direction of something that has been long-lost and compromised by the prevalent governments.
However, he was apprehensive about the consequences but was tipped off by the great saint Baba Devraha about the consequences of “Ram Mandir foundation” complications and the broken trust of the devotees. Mr. Ashok Singhal was determined and believed in himself besides the strong will power towards the “Ram Mandir” construction.
Meeting the mother at the ‘Eleventh Hour’
Even though Ashok Ji's mother's spirituality and religiosity passed onto him but at his mother's deathbed, he could not meet her. Ashok Ji has served the nation meticulously and he had sidelined every single thing that acted as a hindrance in his way of doing so. His commitment to serving Mother Bharat was over his commitment to be with his own mother.
Attitude towards Purity and Sanctity
Ashok ji had always been in favour of purity. He was very much disciplined when it came to religion.One of the instances which can talk broadly of how much purtiy meant to Ashok Ji: Once, all the members of the Sangh decided to observe a “Chaturveda” oblation (Yagya). As per the plans, they invited the “Brahmins” from South Bharat to accomplish the oblation successfully. Ashok Ji took the entire responsibility to bring about 250 kgs of pure Classified Butter (Desi Ghee). He was so keen on maintaining the purity of the cans that he carried all the 17 cans on his own from Kanpur to Udaipur and did not let anyone touch them at all.
Brief Dissociation with Father
After graduating from the “Banaras Hindu University‘, Ashok Ji told his father about his intentions to serve the “Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh” which left his father speechless. The displeased father asked him to have second thoughts on the decision. The father said, “One can still serve the nation without becoming an apostle”. He even threatened to banish him but couldn't break his determination. At last, he showered him with his blessings and advised him to serve the nation with all of his heart, body and mind.
Ashok ji’s elder brother- A great freedom fighter
Mr. Ashok Singhal Ji elder brother, Mr. Vinod Singhal was a great freedom fighter and had assisted Freedom Fighter Chandrashekhar Azad in the freedom movement. He contributed for years and joined the Indian force after the assassination of Mr. Azad. He has been in Tripura as an Administrative officer and got married at the age of 37.
When Chandrabhanu Gupt went speechless
After the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, Ashok Ji was put behind the bars during the protest against the restrictions on the Sangh. Mr. Chandrabhanu Gupt, senior politician of Congress, bailed out him and questioned the legitimacy of the Sangh. Ashok ji asked him, “If this condition persists then who is going to rule this country?”. Mr. Gupt said, “Communist will.” Ashok ji abruptly said, “I will not let this happen”. According to Ashok Ji, “The communist don’t have the capacity to rule this country”.
Mother gave her consent
When Ashok ji refused to go visit America for the treatment of his father, the mother was displeased with the decision. After some time, she understood the firm beliefs of Ashok Ji and his determination to serve the country. She gave her consent and welcomed Ashok ji’s sentiments towards the National service by doing “tilak” with her blood.
Close to Mr. Rajju and Mr. Golvalkar
Since the inception of “Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh” Ashok ji was very close to Mr. Rajju, member of RSS. Mr. Rajju was very familiar with him and that’s why Ashok Ji developed interest in the Sangh. He was very close to Revered Madavraj Sadashiv Golvalkar aka Guruji, Chief of the Sangh. Ashok ji was one of the persons whom Guruji considered the future leader of the Hindu society.
Attack on the Stock Car to protect the cows
While Ashok ji was in Kanpur as a propagator, he got information about a stock car full of cows. Ashok ji was restless and planned to set the cows free. To accomplish this task, he rapidly gathered many workers and reached the Kanpur station. He along with the other workers, attacked the Stock car, broke down all the locks and finally set all the cows free.
A reply to Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav
In 1990’s, under the “Muslim Appeasement” policy then Chief Minister of U.P, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav, arrogantly released a statement, “No one can ever enter Ayodhya without my permission.” Ashok ji found this statement unpalatable and casted all his capacity and power in landing all the volunteers (Kar- Sevak) on the land of Ayodhaya. Thousands of volunteers entered Ayodhya, breaching every barrier. Furiated Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav released the shooting order but Mr. Ashok ji gave Mr. Mulayam a befitting reply.
Political Chaos following Indira Gandhi's Assassination
Ashok ji united all the Hindus to fulfil his determination of “Ram Mandir Nirmaan”. To unite all the saints of Bharat , Ashok ji planned a religious conference at the Science Hall on April 8, 1984. Everyone agreed to the idea of “Ram Janki Rath Yatra”. They wanted a positive nod from Mrs. Indira Gandhi towards the construction of “Rama Temple”. Unfortunately, the day the “Rath Yatra” reached Delhi, Mrs. Gandhi had already been assassinated.
Incredible knowledge of music
Shri Ashok Singhal Ji was a great lover of music. He always used to listen to the classical music and crooning all the time. He also had a great knowledge of Musical instruments. Only a few people know that he had given his voice in many songs, sung for the Sangh.
Prediction of Ashok ji being a propagator came true
Once, an Astrologer told Ashok ji’s mother that Ashok ji would observe celibacy throughout his life. The mother didn’t believe then as the father was a big officer, one son was an IPS officer and other one was in the Indian Army besides the rest of the two sons were the big industrialists. However, the prediction did come true.
Got a unique lesson from his Father
During his childhood, one of Ashok Ji's brother hurled a frog to death. Seeing this, their father got mad at him and ordered him to account for that deed. The boy said innocently that he didn’t kill the frog instead it was his fate and that he was only the medium. Furiated father started beating the boy saying that it was the boy’s fate and the father was the medium. In this way, Ashok ji learned that Sophism is not justified all the time.
Shri Ashok Singhal Ji: Two times behind the bars
VHP’s guardian, Shri Ashok Singhal Ji went to the jail, two times; first time for the protest against the restrictions forced on the “Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh” in 1949 and second time for the protest against the emergency in 1975. Mr. Chandrabhanu Gupt, senior politician of Congress, bailed out him and questioned the legitimacy of the Sangh. Ashok Ji asked him, “If this condition persists then who is going to rule this country?”. Mr. Gupt said, “Communist will.” Ashok ji abruptly said, “I will not let this happen”. According to Mr. Singhal, “The communists don’t have the capacity to rule this country”.
Ashok ji was indignant towards the restrictions put on the Sangh despite having no involvement in Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination.
