Dr. Tony Nader and Hindutva-Nazism – Part 3: Militant Hinduism and Italian Fascism, RSS as a fascist-inspired organization

Dr. Tony Nader and Hindutva-Nazism – Part 3: Militant Hinduism and Italian Fascism, RSS as a fascist-inspired organization

With our new 3-part series, we seek to understand why international Transcendental Meditation leader Dr. Tony Nader embraced the nazi-like Hindutva and made the Transcendental Meditation Organization a spittoon of the meditation-spirituality movements by inviting the leader of the Hindutva-Nazi-like RSS terrorist organization, Mohan Madhukar Rao Bhagwat, to the 2024 World Peace Assembly in India. In the third part of our series of articles, we look at Marzia Casolari’s study “Hindutva’s Foreign Tie-up in the 1930s – Archival Evidence”.

Background: Apart from the Indian course participants, many were unaware while meditating that the leader of the organization responsible for Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination was among them:


This paper examines the historical relationship between Hindu nationalism in India and European fascism, particularly Italian fascism. A key focus is the influence of B.S. Moonje’s 1931 trip to Italy and his subsequent efforts to militarize Hindu society using fascist models. The author analyzes archival evidence, including documents from the Congress party and intelligence reports, to demonstrate the extent of this influence on organizations like the RSS and Hindu Mahasabha. The paper also explores the ambivalent stance of Hindu nationalist leaders toward the Axis powers during World War II, contrasting their actions with those of Subhas Chandra Bose. Finally, it argues that understanding the foreign influences on Hindu nationalism is crucial to comprehending its evolution.

তন্ময় l T͞anmoy l on X (formerly Twitter): “Mussolini’s Shadow in RSSMussolini’s ideas influence the structure of the RSSA Closer Look:1. Visit to Mussolini🔸In 1931, Dr. B.S. Moonje, a mentor to #RSS founder Dr. K.B. Hedgewar, met Mussolini in Italy.🔸Moonje admired Mussolini’s youth training and militarization… pic.twitter.com/XVBhLd0U9U / X”

Mussolini’s Shadow in RSSMussolini’s ideas influence the structure of the RSSA Closer Look:1. Visit to Mussolini🔸In 1931, Dr. B.S. Moonje, a mentor to #RSS founder Dr. K.B. Hedgewar, met Mussolini in Italy.🔸Moonje admired Mussolini’s youth training and militarization… pic.twitter.com/XVBhLd0U9U

Main Themes & Ideas:

Early Recognition of Fascist Tendencies:

  • Even before WWII, the Congress party and other observers recognized the RSS and similar organizations as having fascist characteristics. A confidential Congress report after Gandhi’s assassination described the RSS as “a communal militarist organization with violent tendencies,” noting its Maharashtrian Brahmin leadership and aspiration for a “Peshwa Raj.” It was also viewed as having “secret and violent methods which promote ‘fascism’.”

Conscious Adoption of Fascist Ideas:

  • The paper argues that Hindu nationalist organizations consciously adopted fascist ideas, motivated by admiration for authoritarian leaders like Mussolini and Hitler, and the perceived success of their social models. This was not a superficial adoption but a deep influence on their ideology and practice, particularly around militarization, social organization, and concepts of internal and external enemies. “Leaders of militant Hinduism repeatedly expressed their admiration for authoritarian leaders such as Mussolini and Hitler and for the fascist model of society.”

Fascism as a “Conservative Revolution”:

  • Hindu nationalists, particularly in Maharashtra, saw Italian Fascism as a model for a conservative revolution. They admired the perceived transformation of Italy from a backward state to a first-class power and the imposition of social order. “To them, fascism appeared to be an example of conservative revolution.”

Marathi Press and Fascist Ideals:

  • Newspapers like Kesari regularly published articles praising Mussolini and fascism. They admired the socialist origins of the movement and the perceived order it brought. Articles focused on the militarization of Italian society, and the use of state power to suppress dissent, and the control over youth through organizations like Balilla and Avanguardisti. “What impressed the Marathi journalists was the socialist origin of fascism and the fact that the new regime seemed to have transformed Italy from a backward country to a first class power.”

B.S. Moonje’s Trip to Italy:

  • B.S. Moonje, a key figure and mentor to RSS founder Hedgewar, visited Italy in 1931 and met Mussolini. His diary reveals a strong admiration for fascist youth organizations like the Balilla and Avanguardisti. He saw these organizations as models for “the military regeneration of the Hindus,” aiming to create a disciplined, militarized Hindu society and eliminating the British-imposed “distinction of martial and non-martial classes.” He stated in his diary, “India and particularly Hindu India need some such institution for the military regeneration of the Hindus…Our institution of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh of Nagpur under Dr Hedgewar is of this kind, though quite independently conceived. I will spend the rest of my life in developing and extending this Institution of Dr Hedgewar all throughout the Maharashtra and other provinces.”

Moonje’s Attempts to Implement Fascist Models:

  • Upon his return, Moonje actively worked to militarize Hindu society, modeling his plans explicitly on the German and Italian examples. He argued for the necessity to “imitate the youth movement of Germany and the Balilla and Fascist organisations of Italy” which he deemed “eminently suited for introduction in India.” This included establishing the Bhonsala Military School and the Central Hindu Military Education Society.
  • These efforts aimed at training Hindu youth for national defense, emphasizing the “science and art of personal and national defense” and propagating a “militarist” mentality. Documents from the school stated, “This training is meant for qualifying and fitting our boys for the game of killing masses of men with the ambition of winning victory with the best possible casual-ties (sic) of dead and wounded while caus-ing the utmost possible to the adversary.”

RSS’s Fascist Character:

  • British intelligence reports identified the RSS as attempting to be “in future India what the ‘Fascisti’ are to Italy and the ‘Nazis’ to Germany.” This demonstrates the extent to which observers saw the organization as inspired by, and modeled on, fascist groups.

Fascist Propaganda and Local Collaboration:

  • By the late 1930s, Italian consulates in India, especially in Bombay, were actively promoting fascist ideology by providing Italian language courses to Indian students and distributing fascist literature, including translations of Mussolini’s Doctrine of Fascism. “From June 1938 the consulate in Bombay started to ‘recruit’ as many Indian students as possible for Italian language courses, with the purpose of indoctrinating them with propaganda in favour of Italy and fascism.”
  • One such local collaborator, Madhav Kashinath Damley, even founded a magazine titled Lokhandi Morcha (Iron Front), which was modelled on Italian fascism.

Savarkar’s Admiration for Authoritarian Regimes:

  • V.D. Savarkar, president of the Hindu Mahasabha, openly expressed admiration for Italy and Germany’s authoritarian systems. He argued that each nation has the right to choose its own form of government, and that the success of Nazism and Fascism in their respective nations validated those systems.
  • Savarkar promoted a deterministic view of race, suggesting that “Political systems correspond then to the nature of the respective population.”

Savarkar’s Anti-Muslim Rhetoric and Comparison to Jewish Question in Germany:

  • Savarkar’s speeches and rhetoric became increasingly anti-Muslim, drawing parallels to the Nazi persecution of Jews in Germany. He suggested that if a plebiscite were held, Muslims would chose to unite with other Muslims, while Hindus would chose to unite with other Hindus. He explicitly stated, “What did the Jews do in Germany? They being in minority were driven out from Germany.”
  • Savarkar’s view on nationality emphasized unity of thought, religion, language, and culture, which he believed Muslims lacked. He asserted that “Nationality did not depend so much on a common geographical area as on unity of thought, religion, language and culture. For this reason the Germans and the Jews could not be regarded as a nation.”

Golwalkar’s Embrace of German Racial Purity:

  • M.S. Golwalkar, a key figure in the RSS, similarly admired Germany’s pursuit of racial purity and its treatment of Jews. He stated, “To keep up the purity of the nation and its culture, Germany shocked the world by her purging the country of the semitic races – the Jews. National pride at its highest has been manifested here. Germany has also shown how well-nigh impossible it is for races and cultures, having differences going to the mot [?], to be assimilated into one united whole, a good lesson for us in Hindustan to learn and profit by.” This further demonstrates the pervasiveness of the admiration for Nazi Germany among Hindu nationalists.

Shifting Alignment towards Germany:

  • While initially admiring Italy, by the late 1930s, many Hindu nationalists and organizations, like the Hindu Mahasabha, began aligning more closely with Nazi Germany. This shift was driven by the belief in shared “Aryan” heritage, and the perceived success of Germany’s racial policies. The Hindu Mahasabha asserted that “Germany’s solemn idea of the revival of the Aryan culture, the glorification of the Swastika, her patronage of Vedic learning and the ardent championship of the tra-dition of Indo-Germanic civilisation are welcomed by the religious and sensible Hindus of India with a jubilant hope.”
  • Savarkar attempted to establish contacts with the Axis powers, most notably Japan, via Rash Behari Bose, seeking potential alliances against the British.

Ambiguous Stance during WWII:

  • The Hindu Mahasabha adopted a policy of “responsive cooperation” during WWII, which was interpreted by some as collaborationism. While outwardly opposing the British, their rhetoric focused more on the “internal enemy” (Muslims and Congress) than on direct confrontation with the British. The Mahasabha stated that “the policy of responsive co-operation…covers the whole gamut of patriotic activities from unconditional co-operation to active and even armed resis-tance” thus providing itself a wide berth to move in different directions.
  • Organizations like the RSS and the Hindu Mahasabha did not participate in the Quit India Movement. Their primary goal seemed to be the establishment of Hindu dominance in India, which they hoped to achieve with the British or with their departure.

The “Internal Enemy” and Militarization:

  • The paper argues that the concept of the “internal enemy” (Muslims) was central to their militarization efforts and was reinforced by the fascist idea of transforming diverse populations into enemies. The formation of a national Hindu militia by Moonje was largely focused on dealing with this internal threat, indicating that, “Who could be the internal aggressors if not the Muslims?”

RSS has significant links to fascism

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has significant links to fascism, both ideologically and through practical influences, as evidenced by historical documentation and analysis. These connections are a recurring theme in the sources and have been a subject of discussion among scholars and political observers.

Ideological Links:

  • Early Recognition of Fascist Traits: Even in its early days, the RSS was recognized as having similarities with fascist organizations. A confidential report from within the Congress party after Gandhi’s assassination noted the RSS was developing into a communal militarist organization with violent tendencies1. The report stated that the RSS practiced secret and violent methods which promoted ‘fascism’, and it did not adhere to truthful or constitutional methods.
  • Admiration for Authoritarianism and Strong Leaders: Like Italian Fascists, the RSS favored a centralized structure and a strong leader. The concept of “obedience to one leader” (“ek chalak anuvartitva”) in the RSS mirrors the fascist emphasis on a single, powerful figure.
  • Rejection of Democracy: The RSS, along with other Hindu nationalist groups, saw democracy as a negative, and a British value. Fascism was seen as a positive alternative to democracy.
  • Militarization of Society: The RSS aimed to militarize Hindu society, which was a core aspect of Italian Fascism. This included the use of paramilitary training and a focus on physical fitness and discipline…
  • Concept of Internal Enemy: Similar to fascist ideology, the RSS developed a concept of an “internal enemy,” particularly targeting Muslims, which was often compared to the way Germany treated its Jewish population…

Practical Influences and Connections:

  • B.S. Moonje’s Role: B.S. Moonje, a key figure in the RSS and mentor to its founder, K.B. Hedgewar, was instrumental in shaping the organization’s structure along fascist lines. Moonje visited Italy in 1931 and was deeply impressed by the fascist youth organizations.
  • Influence of Italian Fascist Youth Organizations: Moonje was particularly influenced by the Balilla and Avanguardisti youth groups and sought to implement similar models in India, seeing them as a means for military regeneration. These groups used paramilitary training, drills, and uniforms that were similar to what Moonje envisioned for Hindu society.
  • Hedgewar’s Fascist Leanings: Hedgewar himself was a proponent of the militarization of society according to fascist patterns, and participated in events where fascism and Mussolini were praised.
  • Secrecy and Lack of Transparency: The RSS operated with a high degree of secrecy, lacking a clear constitution and maintaining no public records of membership, income, or expenditures, which was also characteristic of fascist organizations. This lack of transparency further contributed to the perception of the RSS as an organization with a hidden agenda.
  • British Intelligence Reports: British intelligence reports from the 1930s noted the RSS’s aspiration to be for India what the Fascists were to Italy and the Nazis to Germany. This highlights how contemporaries recognized the fascist undertones in the RSS’s ideology and activities.
  • Direct Contacts: There were direct contacts between Hindu nationalists and members of the Italian fascist state, including meetings between Moonje and Mussolini.

Specific Instances:

  • Military Training and Indoctrination: Moonje wanted to create military schools and reorganize Hindu society using fascist models. He aimed for a more functional organization and a stronger political character to the existing organizations.
  • Newspaper Articles: Marathi newspapers like Kesari published articles praising Mussolini and the fascist regime.
  • Support for the Axis Powers: The RSS was generally supportive of the Axis powers, with some leaders praising the policies of Hitler and Mussolini.
  • Savarkar’s Support: Savarkar, a prominent leader within the Hindu Mahasabha and closely tied to the RSS, openly supported Hitler’s anti-Jewish policy and suggested similar solutions for the Muslim problem in India.

Ambiguous Stance During WWII:

  • The RSS did not participate in the Quit India movement and seemed more interested in fighting internal enemies than the British.
  • Despite the atrocities committed by Hitler and Mussolini, the RSS and other Hindu nationalists continued to praise the dictators and their regimes26.

The paper demonstrate that the RSS’s links to fascism were not accidental or superficial, but a deliberate adoption of fascist ideology and practices to further their goals of creating a Hindu-dominated nation. The organization’s admiration for authoritarianism, militarization, and the concept of the “internal enemy” indicate a strong connection with fascist principles.

British intelligence reports from the 1930s noted the RSS’s aspiration to be for India what the Fascists were to Italy and the Nazis to Germany

British intelligence reports from the 1930s provide crucial evidence of the contemporary perception of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) links to fascism, noting the RSS’s ambition to emulate fascist and Nazi organizations. These reports highlight how the RSS’s activities and ideology were viewed by British authorities at the time, reinforcing the idea that the connections between the RSS and fascism were not merely a later interpretation but a contemporary observation.

Here’s a breakdown of the key points regarding these intelligence reports:

  • Direct Comparison: A British intelligence report from 1933, titled ‘Note on the Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh’, explicitly stated that, “It is perhaps no exaggeration to assert that the Sangh hopes to be in future India what the ‘Fascisti’ are to Italy and the ‘Nazis’ to Germany”. This direct comparison indicates that British authorities recognized the RSS’s ambition to establish a similar form of political and social control in India as those fascist and Nazi organizations had in Europe.
  • Implication of the Comparison: This comparison was not just about superficial similarities, but it pointed to the RSS’s aspiration to become a powerful, centralized force that would shape the future of India, much like the Fascists and Nazis had done in their respective countries. The report suggested that the RSS aimed to wield significant political influence and control over the populace through its activities, mirroring the authoritarian methods employed by fascist regimes.
  • Contemporary Recognition: The fact that these observations were made by British intelligence during the 1930s, when the RSS was still developing, is significant. It shows that the fascist undertones in the RSS’s ideology and methods were apparent to contemporary observers, not just later analysts. This early recognition by an external, neutral entity (in this case, the British government) lends further credibility to the analysis of the RSS’s fascist links.
  • Confirmation of Ideological Alignment: The British reports were also indicative of the ideological alignment of the RSS with fascist movements1. The RSS’s emphasis on a strong leader, militarization, and the creation of an “internal enemy” to rally against all resonated with the core tenets of fascism and Nazism. The intelligence reports would have been informed by observing the RSS’s organizational structure and the messages of its leaders, which were often explicitly admiring of the European dictators.
  • Role of B.S. Moonje: The same intelligence report also attributed the reorganization of the Sangh in the Marathi-speaking districts and in the Central Provinces in 1927 to B.S. Moonje, a key figure in the RSS with known links to Italian fascism. This detail further reinforces the idea that the RSS’s fascist leanings were not accidental but rather a result of deliberate choices and influences from individuals like Moonje.

The British intelligence reports from the 1930s are, therefore, not just historical curiosities but important pieces of evidence in understanding the RSS’s deep connections to fascist ideologies and movements. They underscore that the RSS’s ambition to mirror fascist and Nazi organizations was evident early in its development, and was recognized by external observers at the time.


The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) organizational structure

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) organizational structure and its emphasis on secrecy are critical aspects that have contributed to its perception as a fascist-inspired organization. These elements are consistently highlighted in the sources as key factors in understanding the RSS’s nature and goals.

Organizational Structure:

  • Hierarchical and Centralized: The RSS operates with a hierarchical structure, emphasizing the importance of a central authority and obedience to a single leader. This is reminiscent of fascist organizations that also prioritize a strong, centralized leadership. The principle of “obedience to one leader” (“ek chalak anuvartitva”) is a core tenet.
  • Paramilitary Structure: The RSS has a paramilitary structure, which includes physical training, drills, and a focus on discipline. This mirrors the structure of fascist youth organizations like the Balilla and Avanguardisti in Italy, which B.S. Moonje admired and sought to emulate.
  • Focus on Youth: Similar to the fascist emphasis on the indoctrination of the youth, the RSS recruits and trains young people from a young age. The goal is to mold them into disciplined members of the organization, instilling its ideology from an early age.

Secrecy and Lack of Transparency:

  • Secret Operations: The RSS maintains a high degree of secrecy regarding its internal operations. This secrecy extends to various aspects of the organization, including its goals, membership, and financial matters.
  • No Clear Constitution: The RSS lacks a clearly defined constitution, and its aims and objectives are not openly communicated, even to its rank-and-file members1. This opacity makes it difficult to understand the organization’s true intentions and allows for a flexible interpretation of its goals.
  • Hidden Aims: While the RSS publicly promotes physical training as its primary aim, the sources indicate that its real objectives are not revealed to the general public, or even to most of its members. Only the “inner circle” is privy to the organization’s true agenda.
  • No Public Records: The RSS does not maintain public records of its membership or its financial transactions. There are no membership registers, nor are there records of its income and expenditures. This lack of transparency makes it challenging to monitor the RSS’s growth and activities and raises questions about its financial accountability.
  • Comparison to Fascist Tactics: The RSS’s secrecy and lack of transparency are characteristics of fascist organizations. The sources note that these tactics contribute to the perception of the RSS as an organization with a hidden agenda.

Significance of the Structure and Secrecy:

  • Control and Power: The RSS’s hierarchical structure and secrecy allow for a greater concentration of power within the organization, enabling its leadership to exert control over its members and activities.
  • Avoiding Scrutiny: The lack of transparency makes it more challenging for external observers, including authorities, to scrutinize the RSS’s activities and objectives. The secrecy also helps to obscure any potential connections between the RSS and the broader goals of Hindu nationalism.
  • Fostering Unquestioning Loyalty: The combination of a hierarchical structure, secrecy, and indoctrination from a young age fosters a culture of unquestioning loyalty among members, making the organization less vulnerable to internal dissent.
  • Facilitating Militancy: The organizational structure and secrecy also provide a means for the RSS to engage in potentially militant activities without direct public accountability1. The emphasis on physical training and paramilitary drills contributes to the mobilization of a cadre of dedicated members ready to act on the organization’s directives.

The RSS’s organizational structure and secrecy are, therefore, not merely incidental aspects of the organization but rather deliberate strategies that reflect its ideological underpinnings and facilitate its broader goals. The sources highlight that these elements have contributed to the perception of the RSS as a secretive, authoritarian, and potentially militant organization with strong ties to fascist ideals.

Victim of Dr Tony Nader’s cronies

Comment by Raja Presston:

So with the proven intent of the Raja Kingdom to create an actual country (newspaper articles with details can be found) with borders and territory, and the FACT that the rajas advertised on a website actual citizenship and even passports that would be issued to the participating meditators, the question was what kind of governmental policies would be for those living there and living outside but with citizenship in it.
So we can now safely say it would be a government with a dictator or something similar (raja crowns – kingships in locals) and a very hard justice system, something like fascism.

It would be very restrictive to religious and press freedoms (RajaLeaks would be banned at minimum there), and nothing resembling human rights would be found. Anybody want to join now?

The truth of the matter is that this raja system and the whole GCWP-TMO should be brought to a court, but first investigated by lawyers and the nation state secret services and the attorney generals of nations. This is truly a dangerous organization attempting to reintroduce sick ideas into society and even form a bona fide country with sovereign rights.

Shame, shame and even more shame on those few rajas pushing this program (some rajas are innocent in a way). Forget about introducing TM to your country or local leaders.

I myself have invested over 1 million dollars into a large multi-country project involving many government officials whereby TM and group practice of Yoga Sutras could be supported by local leaders, only to find years later that the TM movement has moved into a Kingdom of semi-fascists with a neo-hindu bent. This change catalyzed the creation of RajaLeaks.

Forget about the original non-religious and friendly to all political systems setup that was before. Shame on the creators and up keepers of this raja movement. End of story.

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