Ungrateful Turnaround

Balaji Huddar's ideological volte face under communist influence reflected his distorted loyalties, which led him to vilify his former mentor Doctorji, who stayed true to his benevolence

- ANIRBAN GANGULY

Balaji Huddar's transformation is a stark example of how communism distorts one's thinking and approach. H.V. Seshadri writes, "By the end of December 1938, Balaji Huddar, a close friend and associate of Doctorji in former days, returned from Spain. Doctorji had taken great pains to send him to England, from where he had gone to Spain. When, however, he returned to Bharat, he had turned a leftist. But it made no difference so far as Doctorji's friendly attitude towards him was concerned."

Seshadri notes how Huddar himself once reminisced "about this trait of Doctorji in an emotional strain." Huddar recalled how a "spirit of genuine friendship formed the secret of Doctorji's success. He was at once one with others - whatever their views or age. And he would maintain that friendly spirit till the very last. Even with my differences of opinion with him, never once did the thought of breaking my bond of affection with him crossed my mind. Such was Doctorji."

In fact, observes Seshadri, "Doctorji even arranged a talk by Huddar to the Swayamsevaks of Nagpur in 1938 to narrate his experiences abroad." In sending Huddar to England, Doctorji thought, writes Nana Palkar in his 'Man of the Millennia: Dr Hedgewar' that "it would be beneficial for the Sangh if an intelligent, young, and determined Sangh karyakarta could visit a few independent states, observe their civilizations, and return to the Sangh with this deeper insight."