https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Eknath_RanadeEknath Ranade - Revision history2026-07-31T04:16:54ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Eknath_Ranade&diff=461572&oldid=prevMaryellenBuckman at 19:00, 7 February 20262026-02-07T19:00:05Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian social activist and leader of the RSS (1914–1982)}}<br />
{{Distinguish|Mahadev Govind Ranade}}<br />
{{independent sources|date=February 2017}}<br />
{{Use British English|date=October 2013}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Eknath Ramakrishna Ranade<br />
| image = Eknath_Ranade_image.jpg<br />
| birth_date = 19 November 1914<br />
| birth_place = [[Amravati district|Timtala]], [[Central Provinces and Berar]], [[British India]]<br />
| death_date = {{death date and age|1982|8|22|1914|11|19|df=y}}<br />
| death_place = [[Chennai|Madras]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]<br />
| other_names = <br />
| known_for = [[Social reformers of India|Indian Social and Spiritual Reformer]]<br />
| education = <br />
| alma_mater = [[Dr. Hari Singh Gour University]]<br />
}}<br />
'''Eknath Ramakrishna Ranade''' ({{IPA|mr|ekᵊn̪at̪ʰ ɾɑmɐkɾuʂɳə ɾäɳäɖe|lang}}; 19 November 1914 – 22 August 1982) was an Indian [[social activist]]. He joined the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS) while still in school and served as a general secretary from 1956 to 1962.{{Not verified in body|date=June 2025}}<br />
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Ranade was deeply influenced by the teachings of [[Swami Vivekananda]] and compiled a book of his writings. He played a significant role in the construction of the [[Vivekananda Rock Memorial]] and the [[Vivekananda Kendra]] in [[Kanyakumari|Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu]].<br />
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==Early life and education==<br />
Ranade was born on 19 November 1914 in Timtala, located in the [[Amravati district]], in the once-[[Presidencies and provinces of British India|British Indian]] state of [[Bombay State|Maharashtra]]. In 1920, his family relocated to [[Nagpur]], and he completed his early education at Pradanavispura School.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Special Visit of Timtala Village - Birth Place of Ma. Eknathji Ranade {{!}} Vivekananda Kendra |url=https://www.vrmvk.org/report/2015/march/16/Special-Visit-of-Timtala-Village-Birth-Place-of-Ma-Eknathji-Ranade |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=www.vrmvk.org}}</ref><br />
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In 1932, he completed his education at the New English High School in Nagpur.<br />
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Subsequently, he earned a [[Master of Arts]] degree with [[honours degree|honours]] in [[Philosophy]], followed by a [[Bachelor of Laws]] from [[Dr. Hari Singh Gour University|Sagar University]] in [[Jabalpur]] in 1945.<ref name="Rock Memorial biography" />{{sfn|Vivekananda|2009|p=169}}<br />
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==Role in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh==<br />
Ranade held key roles within the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS), a Hindu nationalist volunteer organization, where he served as an activist, ideologue, and leader.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Eknath Ranade: Architect of unity behind the Vivekananda Rock Memorial |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/opinion/eknath-ranade-architect-of-unity-behind-the-vivekananda-rock-memorial-12801588.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916232138/https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/opinion/eknath-ranade-architect-of-unity-behind-the-vivekananda-rock-memorial-12801588.html |archive-date=16 September 2024 |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=Moneycontrol |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
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During his school years, Ranade was deeply influenced by [[K. B. Hedgewar]], the founding figure of the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]], a [[Right-wing politics|right-wing]] paramilitary organisation established in 1925. Ranade joined the organization as a ''Swayamsevak'' (volunteer) in 1926.<ref name="Rock Memorial biography">{{cite web|title=Eknath Ranade biography|url=http://rockmemorial.org/people/eknathranade.html|publisher=Vivekananda Rock Memorial|access-date=24 September 2013|archive-date=24 September 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130924103829/http://rockmemorial.org/people/eknathranade.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{sfn|Vivekananda|2009|p=169}} After working for the RSS in Nagpur, Ranade was appointed as a ''[[RSS pracharak|Pranth Pracharak]]'' (provincial organizer) in [[Mahakoshal|Mahakoshal, Madhya Pradesh]] in 1938.{{sfn|Jaffrelot|1999|p=146}}<br />
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Following the assassination of [[Mahatma Gandhi]] and the subsequent ban of the RSS, Ranade went underground to lead organizational efforts, earning the moniker of the ''Underground [[Sarsanghchalak]]''.{{sfn|Chitkara|2004|pp=326–327}} At the same time, the RSS launched a [[satyagraha]] under the leadership of [[M. S. Golwalkar]] to lift the ban. After Golwalkar's arrest, Ranade led the satyagraha and participated in secret negotiations with [[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel|Sardar Patel]], the nation's [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Home Minister]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=How MS Golwalkar and Vallabhbhai Patel ensured the RSS's survival after Gandhi's assassination |url=https://caravanmagazine.in/extract/gandhi-assassination-rss-vallabhbhai-golwalkar |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=caravanmagazine.in |language=en}}</ref><br />
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As a condition for rescinding the RSS ban, Patel insisted that the RSS should be organized with a written [[constitution]].<br />
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Ranade formed a constitution in association with fellow RSS members [[Prabhakar Balwant Dani]] and [[Madhukar Dattatraya Deoras]], but it did not meet government expectations. As a result, it was redrafted to include clauses such as allegiance to the [[Constitution of India|Indian Constitution]] and [[Flag of India|Flag]], shunning violence, only enrolling minors in the movement with the permission of their parents, and setting procedures for the election of ''Sarsanghchalak'', among other things. The government accepted the re-drafted constitution in June 1949. The ban imposed on the RSS was revoked on 11 July 1949.{{sfn|Jaffrelot|1999|p=41}}{{sfn|Andersen|1972|p=677}}<br />
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In 1950, he worked as a ''[[Pracharak|Kshetra Pracharak]]'' for [[Poorvanchal]] Kshetra, comprising [[Bengal]], [[Odisha]], and [[Assam]]. In [[Kolkata|Calcutta]], he established a ''Vastuhara Sahayata Samiti'' ({{Literal translation|}} 'Committee to Help the Dispossessed') to aid refugees from [[Pakistan]] following the [[Partition of India]]. In 1953, Ranade became the ''Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh'' ({{Literal translation|}} 'All-India [[Pracharak|Propagation]] Chief').<ref name="Rock Memorial biography" /> From 1956 to 1962, Ranade served as RSS's [[general secretary]]. During this period, he tried to refocus the RSS on character-building rather than pursuing a more activist stance in coordination with affiliated organizations.{{sfn|Basu|1993|p=51}} In 1962, he was selected as All-India Baudhik Pramukh of the RSS.<ref name="Rock Memorial biography" /><br />
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During the 1963–72 period, Ranade served as the organizing secretary for the construction of the [[Vivekananda Rock Memorial]].<br />
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In 1972, Ranade founded the [[Vivekananda Kendra]], centered at [[Kanyakumari]], as a [[Hinduism|Hindu]] spiritual organisation based on the principles of "[[Tyāga#Hinduism|Renunciation]] and [[Sevā#Seva in Hinduism|Service]]".{{sfn|Advani|2008|pp=142–144}}{{sfn|Vivekananda|2009|p=169}}<br />
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The Kendra is a "lay service organization" without a [[guru]] or propagation of a "[[Guru–shishya tradition|guru culture]]", though it was influenced by the teachings of [[Swami Vivekananda|Vivekananda]]. It has 206 branches in various parts of India. He did not endorse the status of an "[[Reincarnation|avatar-hood]]" (god incarnate) to Kendra. He neither promoted himself nor Vivekananda to the status of worship at the center but promoted the use of [[Om]]kara as its guiding principle. He believed that by adopting Omkara as guru, all gurus in India would be honoured.{{sfn|Copeman|Ikegame2012|p=9}} Ranade became the President of the Vivekananda Kendra in 1978 after serving as its general secretary.{{sfn|Vivekananda|2009|p=169}}<br />
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==Vivekananda Memorial and Kendra==<br />
{{See also|Vivekananda Rock Memorial#Role of Eknath Ranade}}<br />
[[File:Vivekananda Memorial by the night, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu.jpg|thumb|Ranade was the organising secretary of [[Vivekananda Rock Memorial]] committee.]]<br />
The teachings of [[Swami Vivekananda|Vivekananda]] deeply influenced Ranade. In 1963, during the centenary year of his birth, he published a selection of Vivekananda's writing under the title ''[[Rousing Call to Hindu Nation]]'' as a personal tribute.{{sfn|Vivekananda|2009|p=169}} The same year, Ranade conceived the idea of building a monument in honour of Vivekananda at the mid-sea rock location near [[Kanyakumari]], where Vivekananda had meditated for three days in December 1892.<br />
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After receiving positive responses to the idea from RSS chief [[M. S. Golwalkar]] and others, Ranade established the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Organising Committee and became its organizing secretary. Various committee branches were established across the country (with [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] leader [[L. K. Advani]] serving as the organizing secretary of the [[Delhi]] branch) to build support and later raise funds for the memorial.<ref name=":0" /><br />
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After the proposal was initially declined by [[Humayun Kabir (Bengal politician)|Humayun Kabir]], then serving as [[Ministry of Culture (India)|Minister of Education and Culture]], Ranade gained support from over 300 members of the [[Parliament of India|Indian Parliament]]. His efforts ultimately led to the project's approval from then [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Indira Gandhi]]. Ranade also succeeded in securing the endorsements for the project from various parts of the political and spiritual community, including sections traditionally in opposition to the RSS.{{sfn|Advani|2008|pp=142–144}}<br />
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After the project was approved, Ranade led volunteers to raise funds for the construction of the [[Vivekananda Rock Memorial]] from donors across the country and encouraged every citizen to donate at least one [[Indian rupee|rupee]], as part of the Jan-Bhagidaari (People's Participation) scheme.<br />
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==Death and legacy==<br />
Ranade died due to a [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]] on 22 August 1982 in [[Madras]].{{sfn|Vivekananda|2009|p=169}} He was cremated the following day at Vivekanandapuram in [[Kanyakumari]].<ref name="Rock Memorial biography" /> Following his death, ''[[Organiser (magazine)|Organiser]]'' magazine honoured him with the title of ''Karmayogi''—a master and devoted follower of [[Karma yoga|Karma Yoga]]''.''{{sfn|Jaffrelot|1999|p=41}}<br />
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That same year, Vivekananda Kendra produced a documentary titled ''Eknathji: One Life – One Mission'', chronicling the life and legacy of Ranade.<ref>{{Citation |last=Vivekananda Kendra |title=Eknath ji : One Life - One Mission |date=2014-11-08 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igKT_5i2v_4 |access-date=2016-11-20}}</ref><br />
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==Publications==<br />
Ranade's notable publications include:{{sfn|Vivekananda|2009|p=169}}<br />
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* [[Swami Vivekananda]]'s ''[[Rousing Call to Hindu Nation]]''<br />
* ''The Sadhana of Service'' (1985)<br />
* ''The Story of Vivekananda Rock Memorial''<br />
* ''The Kendra Unfolds''.<br />
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==See also==<br />
* [[Vivekananda Rock Memorial|Vivekanand Rock Memorial]]<br />
* [[Alasinga Perumal]]<br />
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==Citations==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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==References==<br />
{{refbegin|33em}}<br />
*{{cite book|last=Advani|first=L. K.|author-link=L. K. Advani|title=My Country My Life|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z6xQgPV5tXEC&pg=PT142|year=2008|publisher=Rupa & Company|isbn=978-81-291-1363-4}}<br />
*{{cite journal|last=Andersen|first=Walter|author-link=Walter K. Andersen| title=The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh: III: Participation in Politics|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|year=1972|volume=17|issue=3|pages=673–682}}<br />
*{{cite book|last=Basu|first=Tapan |title=Khaki Shorts and Saffron Flags: A Critique of the Hindu Right|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CimVTTVHtwQC&pg=PA51|date=1 January 1993|publisher=Orient Blackswan|isbn=978-0-86311-383-3}}<br />
*{{cite book|last=Chitkara|first=M. G. |title=Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh: National Upsurge|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ifuxzl9NM5sC&pg=PA326|date=1 January 2004|publisher=APH Publishing|isbn=978-81-7648-465-7}}<br />
*{{cite book|last1= Copeman|first1=Jacob|last2= Ikegame |first2=Aya |title=The Guru in South Asia: New Interdisciplinary Perspectives|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r2O3W7mkAwAC&pg=PA9|date=21 August 2012|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-51019-6}}<br />
*{{cite book|last=Jaffrelot|first=Christophe |author-link=Christophe Jaffrelot |title=The Hindu Nationalist Movement and Indian Politics: 1925 to the 1990s|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iVsfVOTUnYEC&pg=PA41|year=1999|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-14-024602-5}}<br />
*{{cite book|last= Vivekananda |first=Swami |title=Swami Vivekananda's Rousing Call to Hindu Nation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XRcK1293WMUC&pg=PT169|year=2009|publisher=Vivekananda Kendra|isbn=978-81-89248-10-9}}<br />
{{refend}}<br />
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==Further reading==<br />
*{{cite book|last=Jaffrelot|first=Christophe |author-link=Christophe Jaffrelot|title=Religion, Caste, and Politics in India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XAO3i_gS61wC&pg=PA257|year=2010|publisher=Primus Books|isbn=978-93-80607-04-7}}<br />
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{{Sangh Parivar |state=autocollapse}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ranade, Eknath Ramkrishna}}<br />
[[Category:1982 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:1914 births]]<br />
[[Category:Activists from Maharashtra]]<br />
[[Category:People from Amravati district]]<br />
[[Category:Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University alumni]]<br />
[[Category:Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh pracharaks]]</div>MaryellenBuckman