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I'll join. I have an idea. Let's do a film. Opening scene: Dr. BS Moonje, a Brahmin doctor from Nagpur, stands surveying the Altare Della Patria (Altar to the Fatherland) — site of grand military parades — from the balcony of the Palazzo Venezia in Rome. Beside him is Mussolini.
Opening line: Moonje turns to Mussolini. "I have no hesitation to raise my voice from the public platform both in India and England whenever occasion may arise in praise of your Balilla and Fascist organizations," he says. The Italian dictator grins. He says, "We made a new man."
Dialogue continues. "We discovered how to combine the mystical side and the political side," Mussolini tells Moonje. "After we added the element of discipline, it was a simple matter to convince the the citizens that they had nothing except the life of the State." Moonje smiles.
Moonje to Mussolini: "I just saw this morning and afternoon the Balilla and the Fascist Organizations and I was much impressed." Mussolini sips a glass of warm milk. Moonje continues: "Every aspiring and growing nation needs such fascist organizations. India needs them most."
Mussolini speaks: "Dr. Moonje, what is good for Italy is good for India. Teach the people that freedom is not a right, it is a duty. It is not equality, it is a privilege.” Moonje replies: "Yes, yes. We hear everywhere the clamor for 'rights" but never any stress on 'duties'."
Moonje then asks: "India has long been enslaved. What shall we do?" Mussolini responds: “Fascist doctrine is best suited to the tendencies of a people which, like the Italian, after lying fallow for centuries of foreign servitude, are now reasserting themselves in the world."
"I see," replies Moonje. "Fascism believes neither in the possibility nor utility of perpetual peace. War alone brings up to its highest tension all human energy and puts the stamp of nobility upon the peoples who have the courage to meet it." Mussolini replies: "So learn war."
Scene two: the aging & white-bearded Moonje sits for a chai pe charcha (chat over tea) with a long-haired young man half his age. The young man is dressed in a simple robe. Behind his glasses, his eyes glint with fire. Moonje speaks: "Madhav, Mussolini was a man of great wisdom."
The young man is Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, a lawyer. Moonje continues: "India needs some such Hindu as a dictator — like Mussolini or Hitler of the present day in Italy and Germany. To teach the citizens that all is within the State, nothing outside it, and nothing against it."
Golwalkar nods his head. "Yes, uncle. Every citizen must learn that to offer one’s all, even his dearest possessions, at the altar of motherland is the first and foremost duty of every son of this soil. We must struggle for the existence of our motherland and our national unity."
Golwalkar monologues: “Look at Italy! The old Roman Race consciousness of conquering the whole territory round the Mediterranean Sea, so long dormant, has roused itself and shaped the Racial-National aspirations accordingly." Moonje nods (perhaps dozing off) as Golwalkar talks.
Golwalkar continues: "The ancient Race spirit, which prompted the Germanic tribes to over-run the whole of Europe, has re-risen in modern Germany." Moonje lets out a snore, but the young lawyer continues to hold forth. He addresses the tea kettle, envisioning a grand audience.
Golwalkar is STILL talking: "Even so with us: our Race spirit has once again roused itself as is evidenced by the race of spiritual giants we have produced, and who today stalk the world in serene majesty. National consciousness blazes forth!" Moonje jolts and wakes. He speaks.
Moonje to Golwalkar: "Yes, young Madhav. Our leaders should imitate the Youth movement of Germany and the Balilla and Fascist organizations of Italy. They are eminently suited for introduction in India, adapting them to suit the special conditions." Golwalkar listens intently.
Moonje continues: "The idea of Fascism vividly brings out the conception of unity amongst people. India, particularly Hindu India, need some such Institution for the military regeneration of the Hindus. Our Institution, the RSS, is of this kind." Head in hands, Golwalkar ponders.
A thought strikes Golwalkar. He stands, shouting. Moonje jumps. Golwalkar, loudly: "The war goes on and has not been decided yet. The Race Spirit has been awakening. The world has to see the might of the regenerated Hindu Nation strike down the enemy’s hosts with its mighty arm!"
