When they grew up I insisted that instead of mummy and papa she should address us as mataji and pitaji. I explained to her that those who don't know how to speak can use such easy words but when we grow up our words should carry the meaning of it, too.

Since childhood, Pragya was taught to never utter abuses or never take it, too. I have taught them never to do injustice to others and never to suffer injustice. Our children will never take abuses against the mother or sisters lightly. If anyone abuses me I will fight back. All my five children are capable of fighting back if they face injustice.

Pragya's three sisters are married and well-settled. Her younger brother is living with me in Surat. Pragya is different in a sense because she doesn't want to marry. Whenever I asked her, she would retort, "Why can't I remain unmarried? Just because I am a woman? Why only an unmarried woman's character is doubted? Do you mean a man can't be characterless?"

She joined the Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad when she was 18. She used to help RSS workers who used to visit my home.

I was a Congress supporter till 1971-72. I liked Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. The Congress party's literature used to inform us that the RSS is the dangerous organisation which killed Mahatma Gandhi. But, once in 1973, I read the Rashtradharma Patrika in Hindi, it was a special issue on the occasion of the death of Guru Golwalkar. It carried Indira Gandhi's tribute to Guru Golwalkar. She said although she disagreed with his political views, she commended him for his patriotism and organisational ability. She regretted his death.

I was shocked to read it! Only then did I understand that the Congress is opposing the RSS only for political reasons. Since then I kept a sharp eye on RSS activities and its ideology. I try to find out what is the difference between their actions and beliefs. I must say I haven't found any.

Since the last 35 years I am a swayamsevak. I revived the RSS shakha in Lahar village. I was an RSS office-bearer in Bhind also. Pragya used to facilitate the visiting RSS members who came to Lahar. That inspired her to join the ABVP.

I believe the BJP is the son of the RSS. As long as the BJP remains nationalist, the RSS will keep fatherly feelings for it. I have been quite close to (RSS chief) Sudarshanji.

He was the pracharak of the RSS in what we call Madhya Bharat. I was a head teacher then. He has been known to my family since many years.

My daughter was highly inspired by him and all the RSS guests who visited us in Madhya Bharat. Even my enemies used to admire Pragya. She was studious and took up reading of the granthas. Of course, she has read the literature of the RSS, and the ABVP moulded her. She used to read the Shrimad Bhagvad Geeta, Ramayan, Mahabharat and thw Upanishads.

She knows Hindi and Sanskrit but she has dislike for English. All her activities in college were through the ABVP. After doing her masters she also took up a two-year degree in physical fitness. No boy has dared to make any taunts at her. Her personality was such that even the elder professors would address her as didi.

She is not an angry woman but she believes that those who are tormenting India, doing injustice to Hindus should be opposed without fear. How can one be not nationalist if one is a Hindu? A person who is imbibing nationalism only should be called a Hindu. Anybody can't be called a Hindu.

Once she came to me and said she has realised that sometimes she is stubbornly imposing (kathor aagraha) her choice on others. I said you should be more spiritual. Any good work must have a philosophical base. She also consulted the ABVP office-bearers. She was advised by them to adopt a guru who can give her peace of mind. She was then taken to Swami Avdheshanandji Giri. She met him at the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

He gave her a mantra and diksha and she became a sadhvi.

To be continued.

Image: Pragya Thakur's house in Surat.

Also read: 'Once a Hindu converts, his loyalties shift'

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