Unveiling a Forgotten Hero? BJP Leader Pushes for Bharat Ratna for RSS Founder Hedgewar

In a significant move that could reignite discussions about India's historical narratives and the recognition of its freedom fighters, Jamal Siddiqui, the National General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Minority Morcha, has formally advocated for the Bharat Ratna, the nation's highest civilian honour, to be bestowed upon Dr.

Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the visionary founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Siddiqui's impassioned plea was communicated through official letters addressed to none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and President Droupadi Murmu. His core argument centres on what he describes as Dr.

Hedgewar's "unparalleled contribution" to India's arduous struggle for independence – a contribution he believes has been largely overlooked or understated in mainstream historical accounts.

Dr. Hedgewar's journey as a freedom fighter, according to Siddiqui, was marked by tangible sacrifices and active participation.

He highlights Hedgewar's imprisonment during the tumultuous Non-Cooperation Movement of 1921, a pivotal moment in India's fight against British rule. Furthermore, Siddiqui points to Hedgewar's incarceration during the 1930 Jungle Satyagraha, another critical episode demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the nation's liberation.

The BJP leader also shed light on Hedgewar's strategic decision in 1925 to resign from the Indian National Congress.

This pivotal moment led to the establishment of the RSS, an organization conceived with the explicit purpose of cultivating a generation of dedicated patriots. Siddiqui emphasizes that through the RSS, Dr. Hedgewar aimed to instill a profound sense of national duty, cultural pride, and discipline among young Indians, believing that such character-building was fundamental to achieving and sustaining true independence.

Siddiqui’s request is not merely a political endorsement but a broader call to "rectify historical oversight." He asserts that acknowledging Dr.

Hedgewar with the Bharat Ratna would be a fitting tribute to a leader whose foundational work led to the creation of a disciplined, volunteer-driven organization that has, for nearly a century, been dedicated to national service and cultural rejuvenation. This recognition, he argues, would rightfully place Dr.

Hedgewar among India's most revered figures, celebrating his legacy as a profound nationalist and architect of a powerful socio-cultural movement that continues to shape the nation.