In episode 1 of this three-part series, we left off in 1947. India was coming to terms with the horrors of Partition and communal faultlines were deepening. Across the political spectrum, leaders were battling disenchantment among their followers, and the RSS was no exception.

But its work during Partition stood it in good stead, and Golwalkar hoped to further expand the organisation.

Then came the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, and the goodwill generated by the RSS came crumbling down.

How did the RSS pick itself up and what were its primary motivations at the time? What is the truth behind the conflicting narratives on Godse’s ties to the Sangh? And what changed between the Golwalkar years and the Deoras years that followed?

Featuring guest panellists like Hartosh Singh Bal, Walter K Andersen and Arun Anand, this episode also breaks down the Sangh’s organisational structure and how it functions. How has it managed to permeate into so many spheres of social engagement?

All this and more in the second episode. Listen.