Rich tributes paid to Duttapranta Thengreji in Silchar

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: On the occasion of the centenary birth celebrations of Duttapranta Thengreji, the patriarch and think-tank of RSS and ABVP, rich tributes were paid to him by yet another great thinker and architect of Hindutva, Shashikanta Chauthaiwale, in a Facebook live deliberation on Monday. He threw light on the myriad personality of Thengreji and recalled his manifold contributions in strengthening the Sangh outfits with the sole objective of solidifying nationalism and patriotism, making them unique and different in thought and action.

Shashikantaji said during his school and college days, he came closer to the colossus personality of Thengreji and got inspiration to work for betterment of human beings, having made Silchar Karyalaya the epicentre of dedication, looking after the activities of almost all the organisations who look at him as their teacher, philosopher and guide. Shashikantaji was all praise for the organisational and leadership quality of Thengreji, unparallel in his own way. It was during the quit India movement of 1942, Thengreji started his work as RSS pracharak in Left dominated Kerala. India became Independent and in 1948 Gandhiji was assassinated. RSS was blamed and banned. At this critical juncture, Thengreji was sent to Assam to take up the responsibility of organising and strengthening Sangh. During the ban, his primary priority was to imbibe the spirit of nationalism and patriotism among the youths.

ABVP was his brain child which he formed on July 9, 1949. He was also behind the formation of BMS, the working class front of Sangh to protect their interest and fight for their rights. Then came Emergency declared by the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, in 1975, imposing ban on RSS and BMS. But, this only emboldened Thengreji to organise and mobilise as well as unite opposition forces to dislodge Indira Gandhi in 1977. These were the great qualities of Thengreji and he called upon RSS and ABVP workers to follow the ideals and principles of a father like figure, the messiah of Sangh Parivar.

Also Watch: In an exclusive conversation with Diptanil Barua only on The Sentinel Assam