Role of RSS and Hindu Mahasabha in connstruction of Somnath Temple

RSS and Hindu Mahasabha had no role in Construction of  the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple. The temple was reconstructed by Congress leaders like Sardar Patel; K.M. Munshi and Mahatam Gandhi. Pandit Nahru also supported but he was not in favour of Government Funding. 

The reconstruction of the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, India, was a significant post-independence project symbolizing Hindu cultural revival. The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, had been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times historically, with the last major destruction by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1665. The modern reconstruction began in 1950 and was completed in 1951, largely driven by key figures from the Indian National Congress, amid debates over secularism and state involvement in religious matters.

Key Historical Context

• The initiative was spearheaded by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, who visited the site in November 1947 and pledged to restore the temple during the integration of the princely state of Junagadh into India. Patel formed the Somnath Trust to oversee the project.
• K.M. Munshi, a Congress leader and Union Minister for Food and Agriculture, played a central role in executing the reconstruction, including sourcing materials and defending the project against criticism.
• Mahatma Gandhi supported the idea but insisted that no government funds be used, recommending public donations instead to maintain secular principles.
• Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru opposed official government involvement, viewing it as "Hindu revivalism" that could undermine India's secular ethos. He protested Patel's and Munshi's actions and even advised President Rajendra Prasad against attending the inauguration.
• Despite Nehru's objections, President Rajendra Prasad inaugurated the temple on May 11, 1951, performing the pran pratishtha (installation of the deity).
• The total cost was approximately Rs. 25 lakhs (about $5,000 at the time), funded entirely through public contributions, crowd-funding, and donations from industrialists, princely states, and ordinary citizens. No direct central government funds were used, though some state-level support (e.g., from the U.P. government via a sugar cess) was involved. Notable donors included the Jam Saheb of Nawanagar (Rs. 1 lakh) and Samaldas Gandhi (Rs. 51,000).

·        Role of the RSS

The RSS, a Hindu nationalist organization founded in 1925, did not play a leading or official role in the reconstruction, which was primarily a government-initiated effort under Congress leaders. However, sources present varying perspectives. Formal historical records, such as those from Wikipedia, VSK Telangana (an RSS-affiliated site), and academic articles, do not attribute any direct organizational role to the RSS, focusing instead on Patel and Munshi's leadership. The RSS has retrospectively celebrated the reconstruction as a symbol of Hindu resilience, with leaders citing it in speeches. Overall, any RSS involvement appears limited to indirect support through individual members' donations or ideological alignment, rather than active leadership or construction oversight.

Role of the Hindu Mahasabha

The Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha, an older Hindu nationalist group founded in 1915, similarly did not lead the reconstruction but is mentioned in some accounts as a supporter. Mainstream historical accounts, including Wikipedia and journalistic reports, make no mention of the Mahasabha's involvement, attributing the project to Congress figures and public donations without specifying the group. Critics argue the Mahasabha's role is overstated or nonexistent, similar to claims about the RSS.

In summary, both the RSS and Hindu Mahasabha are credited in certain partisan sources with providing supportive contributions (likely financial) as part of broader Hindu organizational efforts, but historical evidence suggests their involvement was marginal compared to the central roles of Patel, Munshi, and the Somnath Trust. The project remains a point of ideological contention, with some viewing it as a triumph over historical invasions and others as a challenge to secular governance.