Aadhar Stambh
Shri Gajendra Nath Nathani ‘Tauji’

Place: State BJP Office, 7 Vidhan Sabha Marg in Lucknow; Here lives Shri Gajendra Nath Nathani, an 83 year old RSS Pracharak, popularly known as Tauji. Inspired by the baudhik of Shri Vasant Rao Ok, an RSS pracharak he joined the RSS way back in 1942. This baudhik changed the course of his life and he decided to dedicate his life to the service of the nation. It was not a hurried decision but a well contemplated step in response to his inner voice. He was asked to work in the mountainous regions of UP. He did it remarkably well.

Though he has grown physically weak these days yet it fails to dampen his spirits. Enlivening the old memories he said that earlier everyone of us used to perform every duty assigned to us. Every outfit inspired by Sangh, be it the Jana Sangh, Vidyarthi Parishad, Mazdoor Sangh, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, all followed the same path. We have never looked back since 1942.We gladly did everything we were asked to do without a slight murmur.

When asked what would he do if the RSS directs him to go back to the RSS office he was quick to say, "I won't take even the 100th part of a second to say yes and immediately rush to the RSS office." When pointed out that he is not physically well enough to take rigorous work, he retorted, "It was the responsibility of a swayamsewak to obey the directions of the organisation till his last breath".

A sharp glow appeared on his face recalling the days from the past. He said when Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee resigned from the Jawahar Lal Nehru ministry in protest against the killings of Hindus in Bengal, the step was welcomed all over the country. He was met by some RSS officials and the impact of this meeting was visible at all the places Dr. Mookerjee visited after tendering his resignation. He was given a warm welcome by RSS karyakartas everywhere. Overwhelmed by the response Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee met the then Sarsanghchalak Shri Guruji. On October 21, 1951 the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) came into existence.

Dr. Mookerjee sought the services of some dedicated senior karyakartas to work for the organisation after the BJS was founded. Shri Guruji gave him karyakartas like Shri Nanaji Deshmukh, Shri Jagannath Rao Joshi, Shri Kushabahu Thackrey, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Shri Sundar Singh Bhandari and Pt. Deendayal Upadhaya to work for the BJS. They worked hard to spread the nationalist ideology and soon the BJS became a party which no one could afford to ignore. Later it became a party with an all India presence.

'Tauji' said in 1952 the BJS had only 2 seats in UP Assembly. The figure went up to 14 in 1957 and in 1962 it reached 42. In 1967 the BJS touched the figure of 77 and the United Legislature Party formed the Government under Shri Charan Singh as Chief Minister bringing an end to the uninterrupted Congress rule in Uttar Pradesh. That was the time when Pt. Deendayal Upadhaya became one of the all India office bearers and had to move in other areas of the country including Uttar Pradesh. Tauji was in Moradabad taking care of the organisation and Deendayalji was in Merrut. Tauji found Deendayalji a man of great vision, skill, character and good organising skills.

Tauji is of firm opinion that idealism, sanctity, morality and credibility do not come easy while working for an organisation. Earlier the party was full of workers who worked hard for the party expecting nothing in return. The party needs such karyakartas in large numbers today." An organisation devoid of all its idealism can not carry the message of ideology in masses with success, "he said.

For the last two decades Tauji is living at the State party office. He is directly connected with all prominent karyakartas and party leaders in Awadh Prant. As he is taking care of the party office for many years he is sensitive to the need of party karyakartas.

Commenting on today's political scenario, Tauji said the kaykartas sometimes did not even hesitate in indulging cut throat competition. "The respect for elders is now fast disappearing." In the growth of BJS, lively communication between the leader and karyakartas and their decent behaviour played a vital role. The leaders of Jana Sangh never threw tantrums and had respect for senior karyakartas. The BJP was different from other political parties because it was believed that posts were forcefully given to karyakartas as there was no lust for post or power. But now the scene has drastically changed even in BJP. It is a dangerous trend among the party karyakartas. He expressed his concern over the deterioration in politics.

When I asked Tauji whether he was satisfied with his life or not, he responded, "Yes very much because I could perform the duties and responsibilities given to me to best of my abilities. We were never disappointed as we never had any expectations in the first place." He quickly added, "I always enjoyed the love and care of my elders and those younger to me. I hope I will continue to enjoy it."

Tauji says, "The BJP should not forget the simplicity of character and collectivism of its karyakartas. It can not be denied that the country has great expectations from Bharatiya Janata Party. Therefore it becomes a moral duty of BJP karayakartas to maintain their distinct identity." He expressed hope that even the Almighty would come to our help if we keep doing the good work.