Ashok Singhal, a man of many expressions but one foundational belief that lies in Hinduism. 27th September marks the birth anniversary of this visionary, who fought for the Hindu voice at a time when it was not in the mainstream culture to celebrate religious and cultural roots. His life is a lesson for leaders to come, and believers who take for granted the joy of being a Hindu. His life is a tale of sacrifices, commitment and service.
He was a metallurgical engineer by profession and earned his degree from Banaras Hindu University Institute of Technology in 1950. It was in his graduation days when he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and ever since then there has been no looking back. He instantly related with the ideas and learning of the RSS, and enthusiastically served at various locations in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi. His selfless service to the cause and will of the RSS was rewarded throughout his career and it was in 1980, when was he appointed the Joint General Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). During the upsetting period of 1984, when Delhi witnessed the infamous Sikh riots, he became the General Secretary and in time promoted to the post of working President, a role he had till 2011.
He has been deemed a ‘visionary’ who has always stood for the right cause owing to his clear and staunch opposition to the power elite. He has not just been a Hindu leader, he has always been at the forefront of opposing the unjust. He was the ray of light in the dark days of democracy that was brought in during the Emergency by then PM Indira Gandhi. He successfully launched an Andolan in UP to challenge the dictatorial terms of the ruling party.
His work precedes his reputation and he has been equally inward-looking as he was outward. He played a significant role in organizing the first ever ‘Dharma Sansad’ in 1984 in Delhi. This particular Sansad played a pivotal role both for Singhal and the larger cause of Hinduism. The Sansad had in attendance hundreds of Saints and Sadhus who discussed at length the ideas of rejuvenating Hinduism and bringing its ideas, teachings and learning into the mainstream. It was here at this moment when the thought of reclaiming our lost heritage, and culture was born. This idea manifested in reclaiming the ‘Ramjanambhoomi’ temple in Ayodhya.
The realisation that reclaiming the Ramjanambhoomi is an essential act, turned Singhal into the chief architect of the cause. He organized a ‘Kar Seva’ to build the Ram temple and reignited a long-lost will in the hearts and souls of thousands of Hindus, and the culmination of which resulted in victory of his ideas, and reclamation of the Ramjanambhoomi.
It was under his farsighted leadership that VHP blossomed throughout the world and managed to open branches in over 40 countries, including the United States, Germany, France, Japan, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom. His aspirations to take Hinduism on a world scale and unite every Hindu in the world kept him going.
Despite being encircled with controversies for his unapologetic stance, nothing ever stuck to him. He came out of the fire of detractors like shining gold, more refined and purer because he never sought anything for himself. It was his selflessness and pure service to the cause of Hinduism that made him the man he was. He inspired thousands across the nation and maintained a sect that drew everyone in. It was his willingness to take up the challenges and give up the luxuries of being born into a wealthy family, that resonated with the masses.
He had the guts to call ‘a spade a spade’, and that stood him apart from the masses. Moreover, it was not just his leadership that earned him numerous admirers; he was a man of many talents. He was a poet, music director and a trained vocalist, and it was he who brought rhythm to the RSS songs.
He has been rightly called ‘Hindu-Hridaya Samrat’, that is, ‘the emperor of Hindu hearts’ because he chose to lead by example. His preachings were never hollow or ill-founded. He knew his ground, he knew his art, and he practised it without malice. He has shaped the Hindu identity of today and has contributed to the cause of Hinduism in a way that no other leader can.
Despite never being in politics actively, he has managed to be a true leader. A leader who never chased power, but rather realised that it was with the elevation of the marginalised that the nation could progress. He throughout his service worked tirelessly to fight evils both inside and outside. He was a visionary in the truest sense of the word, for he knew to unite Hindus it is important to restructure the order. He was never shy to call out the evils of casteism and was determined to eradicate it. He understood that Hinduism is not a rigid religion and has more to it than what the masses know. Hinduism as a religion is all-encompassing and puts humanity at the core of its existence. It has treated everyone alike and has been leading humans in a way of truthfulness. Furthermore, it is the only religion in the world that shows kindness towards animals as well. It was inspired by these ideas only that he actively pursued the cause of ‘Gau Raksha’.
He was amongst the first leaders who explicitly worked against forceful religious conversions, and believed that Hindus were being misled and not made fully aware of the beauty of their own religion. It was for this reason that he sought to modernise religion into a larger political identity as well, where there is no shame in the hearts of people to call themselves a ‘proud Hindu’. He wanted to make religion an instrument of effective political change where the guiding principles draw from the learnings bestowed on us by Hindu scriptures. He has always believed that these scriptures have stood the test of time, and have always been ahead of humankind. They have guided generations after generations and have answers to all these worldly and otherworldly questions.
For him, Hinduism is like a deep sea, every time someone takes a dip in it, they will find something new. It will keep giving valuables each time, and one would never be fully able to gauge the depth of it. It is so profound that it has led the civilisations to victory, and has never preached hatred for anyone. It is forgiving and accepting at the same time, yet it is empowered with the finest form of realism and liberalism combined. If practised in its truest form, there is and there will be no better religion, and way of life than Hinduism.
Singhal, the man who is much more than what is known, is difficult to be summarised in a word or two. His personality has been of a leader, a revolutionary, a sevak, a preacher, a believer, and a practitioner. It was his aura that earned him his stature, and compelled even Prime Ministers and Chief Ministers from across the party line, to seek wisdom. He gave Hindus a gift that they can only compensate for in one way, by carrying forward his legacy and implying his teachings in the best way possible.
