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Poddar began to distance himself from the Congress movement after falling out with Gandhi. Instead he began to move closer to organizations like the [[Hindu Mahasabha]] and [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|RSS]]. He was among the key organizers of the Mahasabha’s annual convention in Gorakhpur in 1946.

Poddar began to distance himself from the Congress movement after falling out with Gandhi. Instead he began to move closer to organizations like the [[Hindu Mahasabha]] and [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|RSS]]. He was among the key organizers of the Mahasabha’s annual convention in Gorakhpur in 1946.

On 30th January 1948, Gandhi was assassinated in Delhi’s [[Gandhi Smriti|Birla House]] by [[Nathuram Godse]] who was associated with the Hindu Mahasabha and RSS. Poddar’s associations with these organizations coupled with his virulent attacks on Gandhi through his magazine ”Kalyan”, made him a suspect in Gandhi’s assassination. Following Gandhi’s assassination, 25,000 people throughout the country were arrested. Among them were Poddar and his mentor Jaydayal Goyandka.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mukul |first=Akshay |date=19 June 2023 |title=After Gandhi’s Assassination, Why No Mention of Him in February, March 1948 Issues of Kalyan? |url=https://thewire.in/books/mahatma-gandhi-gita-press |work=The Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Vincent |first=Pheroze |date=19 June 2023 |title=Gita Press, allegedly silent on Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, to get Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021 |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/gita-press-allegedly-silent-on-mahatma-gandhis-assassination-to-get-gandhi-peace-prize-for-2021/cid/1946082 |work=The Telegraph India}}</ref>

On 30th January 1948, Gandhi was assassinated in Delhi’s [[Gandhi Smriti|Birla House]] by [[Nathuram Godse]] who was associated with the Hindu Mahasabha and RSS. Poddar’s associations with these organizations coupled with his on Gandhi through his magazine ”Kalyan”, made him a suspect in Gandhi’s assassination. Following Gandhi’s assassination, 25,000 people throughout the country were arrested. Among them were Poddar and his mentor Jaydayal Goyandka.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mukul |first=Akshay |date=19 June 2023 |title=After Gandhi’s Assassination, Why No Mention of Him in February, March 1948 Issues of Kalyan? |url=https://thewire.in/books/mahatma-gandhi-gita-press |work=The Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Vincent |first=Pheroze |date=19 June 2023 |title=Gita Press, allegedly silent on Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, to get Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021 |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/gita-press-allegedly-silent-on-mahatma-gandhis-assassination-to-get-gandhi-peace-prize-for-2021/cid/1946082 |work=The Telegraph India}}</ref>

==References==

==References==


Latest revision as of 11:36, 18 December 2025

Indian saint, Devotee and writer

Pujya Shri Hanuman Prasad ji Poddar (Pujya Shri Bhai ji)

1992 stamp of Shri Hanuman Prasad ji Poddar

1992 stamp of Shri Hanuman Prasad ji Poddar

Born

Shri Hanuman Prasad ji Poddar

(1892-09-18)18 September 1892

Died 26 March 1971(1971-03-26) (aged 78)
Pen name Pujya Shri Bhaiji
Occupation Author, Journalist
Language Hindi
Nationality Indian
Subject Bhakti, Devotion, Love for God and Life of God and God’s Devotees, Bhakts and Saints
Years active 1923–1971

Pujya Shri Hanuman Prasad ji Poddar (18 September 1892 – 22 March 1971)[1] was an Indian Bhakt, Devotee, independence activist, littérateur, magazine editor and philanthropist. He was the founding editor of the spiritual magazine, Kalyan which was published by Gita Press setup by Pujya Shri Ghanshyam ji Jalan and Pujya Shri Jay Dayal ji Goeyendka. His work in fostering pride among the people regarding India’s history and philosophic tradition earned him praise from M.K. Gandhi. He was affectionally called “Bhai Ji” or “Lovingly Brother“. The Government of India issued a postage stamp in his memory in 1992.[2]

Pujya Shri Hanuman Prasad ji Poddar was born in Ratangarh in Rajasthan, India. He spent a considerable time in Ratangarh in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan into a Marwadi Agrawal Bania trading family.

Relations with Gandhi

[edit]

Poddar and M.K. Gandhi fostered a close relationship in the early years of the struggle for Independence. In a 1935 letter, Gandhi even expressed great satisfaction at his views. Poddar became heavily involved in Congress party activities, participating in protests, getting arrested and attending Congress sessions.[3]

However, their relationship began to sour in 1932, when Gandhi began a fast unto death advocating temple entry rights for untouchables. Gandhi’s fast prompted the public to support him by opening temples to untouchables and organizing inter-caste dining events. Poddar made his displeasure known to Gandhi through a series of letters, arguing that untouchability and the four-fold varna system were integral parts of Hinduism. He urged Gandhi to put an end to the anti-caste struggle amongst his supporters. Gandhi responded by refuting Poddar’s views and expressed the belief that the followers of sanatan dharma were to blame for social ailments like untouchability.[4]

In the following years Gandhi and Poddar maintained warm relations, but Poddar became more openly critical of Gandhi’s ideas through his magazine Kalyan.

Alleged involvement in Gandhi’s assassination

[edit]

Poddar began to distance himself from the Congress movement after falling out with Gandhi. Instead he began to move closer to organizations like the Hindu Mahasabha and RSS. He was among the key organizers of the Mahasabha’s annual convention in Gorakhpur in 1946.

On 30th January 1948, Gandhi was assassinated in Delhi’s Birla House by Nathuram Godse who was associated with the Hindu Mahasabha and RSS. Poddar’s associations with these organizations coupled with his strong criticisms on Gandhi through his magazine Kalyan, made him a suspect in Gandhi’s assassination. Following Gandhi’s assassination, 25,000 people throughout the country were arrested. Among them were Poddar and his mentor Jaydayal Goyandka.[5][6]

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