Jagannath Rao Joshi’s life is an inspiration for the youth, says Dattatreya Hosabale

RSS chief Dattatreya Hosabale was speaking after the inauguration of Jagannath Bhavan in Belagavi on Sunday. | Photo credit: PK BADIGER

RSS Sarkaryavaha Dattatreya Hosabale inaugurated Jagannath Bhavan, a cultural center built in the memory of former RSS MP and RSS leader Jagannath Rao Joshi, in Belagavi on Sunday.

He recalled his association with Mr. Joshi and spoke about his life and contribution.

“Mr. Joshi hailed from Karnataka but served as a Lok Sabha member from Madhya Pradesh. He was an RSS volunteer all his life. He served as a member of both houses of Parliament and played a role in the Goa liberation movement. It is possible that today’s youth may not be aware of Mr. Joshi’s contribution. They must learn about him and be inspired by his life,” he said.

“Mr. Joshi led a life full of struggles. He was a courageous leader who was not afraid to stand up to anyone. Once Mr. Joshi participated in a discussion on agriculture in Parliament and the then minister KM Munshi announced plans for afforestation. Mr. Joshi remarked that India needed to increase the number of trees manifold as the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru promised to catch all the corrupt trees of Mr.hangos.

BJP leaders including Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Leader of Opposition R Ashok, MPs Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai, former Deputy Chief Minister KS Eshwarappa and others attended the inauguration of Jagannath Bhavan in Belagavi on Sunday. | Photo credit: PK BADIGER

“Mr Joshi led a simple life and earned the adage ‘monk without robes’. He had great empathy for the poor and the deprived. He was very vocal against social evils like untouchability. He was a man of great wit and humour, but even his statement which drew laughter from the crowd carried some great messages. Nothing negative could be said about him. all of us,” he said.

Mr. Hosabale hoped that the Jagannath Bhavan, which is meant to serve as a venue for training the youth in various skills and organizing cultural events, is being properly utilised.

“Every inch of the building and every rupee collected as donation from the public should be put to good use. If we imagine India as Bharat Mata, our society would be Samaj Mata. Such buildings are like jewels of Samaj Mata. It should become a landmark building to give right direction to the youth,” Hosabale said.

Sri Gurusiddha Swami of Karanji Math said Mr. Joshi left a deep impression on him during his childhood. “I was a student of Sanskrit in Varanasi. I served as an RSS volunteer for several years. I used to travel long distances to listen to leaders like Atal Behari Vajpayee and Mr. Joshi. They instilled nationalist ideas in my mind,” he said.

“During the liberation movement in Goa, Mr. Joshi was arrested. The Union government offered to appoint a lawyer, but he refused and argued his own case. The judge was impressed,” recalls the seer.

RSS leader and Jan Kalyan Trust Managing Trustee Arvind Rao Deshpande said the trust was engaged in service activities like education, health and social awareness.

“We are running two schools in Belagavi. We have treated more than 300 patients during COVID-19. We will soon set up a blood bank in collaboration with Rotary Clubs,” he said.

A documentary on Mr. Joshi was screened.

BJP leaders including Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, MPs Jagadish Shettar, Govind Karjol, Basavaraj Bommai, Vishveshvar Hegde Kageri, Ramesh Jigajinagi, MLAs Ramesh Jarkiholi, Mahesh Tenginkai, former Deputy Chief Minister KS Eshwarappa founder founder, Sri Ramghamod Pralik, RSS founder Kagwad, ABVP leader Narasimha Raichur and others were present.

Published – 21 Jun 2026 21:16 IST