K. B. Hedgewar - Revolutionary

Revolutionary

A born patriot, he had angrily thrown away the sweet distributed in honour of the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria’s coronation while in school. In Kolkata, he is said to have lived with Shyam Sundar Chakravarthy and learned the techniques of fighting from the secret revolutionary organisations like the Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar in Bengal. He joined the Anushilan Samiti and had contact with famous revolutionaries like Ram Prasad Bismil. From the moment he left Nagpur, Keshavrao was constantly shadowed by the Intelligence Agents but he was ever vigilant and avoided any arrest.

When he returned to Nagpur, the financial condition of his family had worsened. Naturally all the people hoped that Dr.Hedgewar would open a dispensary and help his elder brothers. In fact, doctors in general commanded great respect of the people in society in those days and their income also was substantial. But Hedgewar did not intend to set up a medical practice and had made up his mind to become a full-time political activist and work for the cause of the Indian Independence.

Since his arrival in Nagpur, Dr. Hedgewar was busy organizing the revolutionaries in Nagpur, under the guidance of Bhaoji Karve. When the First World War broke out, the revolutionaries all over the country and abroad wanted to make use of the opportunity created by the difficult and conceived a plan for a revolutionary upsurge in the country. Hedgewar plunged himself wholeheartedly in this endeavour and was involved in various revolutionary activities. However, the defeat of Germany in the War foiled all the attempts of the Indian revolutionaries for a revolutionary upsurge inside the country.

Hedgewar came to believe that although the revolutionaries had immense determination, in a country of continental proportions it was impossible to instigate an armed insurrection. He also came to understand that mere acts of bravery and self-sacrifice on the part of a few daring and patriotic individuals will not bring independence to the country. With this clear realization, he diverted his attention to the national movement launched by the Indian National Congress.