As per the references on pages 239-240 of the book ‘Dr Hedgewar Charitra’ (Hindi) by N H Palkar (published by Lokhit Prakashan), Huddar was among the eminent personalities who participated in a two-day meeting held in Nagpur during which decision was taken on how to run RSS. Vishwanathrao Kelkar, Appaji Joshi, Krishnarao Moharir, Tatyaji Kalikar, Bapurao Muthal, Babasaheb Kolte, Dewaikar from Chanda (Chandrapur), and Martandrao Jog were the others who attended the meeting. On the second day, they decided that the positions of Sarkaryawah and Sarsenapati should be created to assist Sarsanghchalak, that is, Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. Accordingly, 23-year-old Balaji Huddar was appointed Sarkaryawah and Martandrao Jog as Sarsenapati.

However, with Huddar’s arrest in Balaghat political dacoity case, RSS received a big jolt. As Palkar has written in his book, “Huddar was a trusted and dear lieutenant of Doctorji (Dr Hedgewar). He was also Sarkaryawah of the Sangh. Such a case against him (Huddar) meant that RSS, which was proving to be an eyesore for the British, also could land in trouble.” But, Palkar’s book does not mention anything more about Huddar in next pages.

Huddar was released from Nagpur jail in Balaghat dacoity case in 1935. He then edited the prominent publication of the time ‘Saavdhaan’ in Nagpur. In mid-1930s, Huddar went to London to study journalism. That time, the British Intelligence service MI5 used to track the movements of Indian students in London. The erstwhile Indian Political Intelligence Unit of the India Office within MI5 had records on Huddar, which were released a few years ago. The records from declassified files of MI5 describe Balaji Huddar as a ‘Left-Wing Student’. MI5 intercepted the letters sent by Huddar to his acquaintances in Nagpur. One of these letters was in Marathi and it urged RSS members to ‘spread RSS movement throughout Asia’. In another letter written to ‘Saavdhaan’ publisher W W Fadnavis, Huddar reportedly expressed his desire to work in the RSS on his return to India. Interestingly, after returning to India in December 1938, Huddar joined the Communist Party of India.

Prior to his return to India, Huddar joined the International Brigades (IB) that fought for a republic government in Spain during the Spanish Civil War in 1937. As per the records, he fought in Belchite region, was arrested by General Franco’s forces, and was released later under an arrangement by the Great Britain. He assumed the identity as ‘John Smith’ to hide his Indian identity during that period.

As per an article published in 2016 in ‘The Volunteer’ founded by the ‘Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade’, “When the Spanish Civil War broke out, Huddar was studying in England. Together with some British volunteers, he arrived in Spain on October 17, 1937. At the headquarters of the International Brigades in Albacete, he was assigned as member of the Saklatvala Battalion. This was a British Battalion named after Shapurji Saklatvala, a prominent Indian Communist in England who had died in 1936.”

The same article throws light on a ‘stroke of good luck’ that led to Huddar’s release from Franco’s jail. Following the popular pressure to negotiate with Franco for release of British prisoners, the British Government sent a team that included a retired Colonel whose son was also a prisoner. When the retired Colonel visited his son at the prison, he came across Indian-looking ‘John Smith’. In conversation, Huddar told the Colonel his full name and that he was from Nagpur. The Colonel had commanded a regiment at Kamptee Cantonment near Nagpur before retirement. So, he grew sympathetic and included Huddar’s name with other British prisoners of war. This led to Huddar’s release from Franco’s jail and return to London.

In 1938, upon his release, Huddar got a grand public reception in England in the month of November. Later, he returned to Bombay and got a rousing welcome. In response to the reception, he delivered a speech and spoke of building the unity of workers and peasants in line with Communist ideology. He remained a Communist for years to come. He guided many a Communist stalwart including A B Bardhan, who hailed from Nagpur and rose to become General Secretary of the Communist Party of India.

However, with growing age and falling health, Huddar became less active in politics by 1949. He started taking a deeper interest in spirituality. In 1952, he left the party and devoted his time to thinking deeper about spirituality and reading. Not much records are available to shed light on his activities after he sort of retired from active politics.

In any case, his story reflects the ideological churning of the time in the world and its impact on the Indians. His is a story with interesting twists and turns, which are the hallmarks of how time chisels history for different individuals. His is a story of an extraordinary life that is almost forgotten today.