Vinayak Damodar Savarkar | Life of Veer Savarkar

 

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, commonly known as Veer Savarkar, was a prominent Indian nationalist, revolutionary, and Hindu nationalist leader in the early 20th century. He was born on May 28, 1883, in Bhagur, a small village near Nashik in Maharashtra, India, into a Marathi Brahmin family.

He was a prolific writer, poet, philosopher, and political activist, who played a significant role in India's freedom struggle against British colonial rule. Savarkar was a controversial figure whose ideas and actions have been debated and interpreted in multiple ways.

Early Life and Education:

Savarkar's family was known for their devotion to Hinduism and adherence to traditional Brahmin values. His father, Damodarpant, was a well-known Sanskrit scholar and a high priest of the local temple. Savarkar was the third of four siblings, and he grew up in a religious and scholarly environment. He was a bright student and learned Sanskrit, Marathi, and English from an early age. In 1902, he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fergusson College in Pune, Maharashtra, with distinction.

Political and Social Activism:

After completing his education, Savarkar became involved in political and social activism, inspired by the nationalist movement led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak. He was one of the founders of the Abhinav Bharat Society, a revolutionary organization that aimed to overthrow British rule in India. Savarkar's writings and speeches reflected his belief in Hindutva, a term he coined that means "Hindu-ness" or the essence of Hindu identity and culture.

In 1909, Savarkar was arrested in London for his involvement in the Indian nationalist movement and was extradited to India to face trial. He was charged with sedition and conspiracy for his alleged involvement in the assassination of a British colonial official, William Hutt Curzon Wyllie, in London. Savarkar maintained his innocence and argued that he had no role in the assassination. Nevertheless, he was sentenced to life imprisonment and was sent to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, also known as Kala Pani, where he spent 10 years in confinement.

During his imprisonment, Savarkar continued to write and publish his ideas on nationalism, Hindutva, and social reform. He wrote a book called "The Indian War of Independence," in which he argued that the 1857 uprising against British rule was a national revolt and not a mere sepoy mutiny. He also wrote a biography of the Maratha king Shivaji, whom he considered a hero and a symbol of Hindu resistance against foreign rule.

Savarkar's ideas on Hindutva and his advocacy of Hindu nationalism were controversial and sometimes divisive. He argued that India was a Hindu nation and that Muslims and other religious minorities should assimilate into Hindu culture and adopt Hindu values. His views on the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan were also controversial, as he opposed the idea of a separate Muslim state and argued that India should be a Hindu Rashtra, or a Hindu nation.

After his release from prison in 1924, Savarkar continued to be involved in politics and social activism. He founded the Hindu Mahasabha, a political party that advocated for Hindu interests and Hindutva ideology. He also played a role in the negotiations with the British for India's independence and supported the idea of a separate Hindu homeland within India.

Controversies:

Veer Savarkar, was a controversial figure in Indian history, and his ideas and actions have been debated and interpreted in multiple ways. Some of the controversies surrounding Savarkar are:

1. Alleged involvement in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi:

2. Hindutva ideology:

3. Opposition to the Quit India Movement:

4. Support for the Partition of India:

5. Alleged links to Hindu extremist groups:

One of the most controversial allegations against Savarkar is his alleged involvement in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. Although there is no conclusive evidence linking Savarkar directly to the assassination, some historians and activists have accused him of being one of the masterminds behind the plot. However, others argue that he had no involvement in the assassination and that he condemned the act.

Savarkar is credited with coining the term "Hindutva," which means "Hindu-ness" or the essence of Hindu identity and culture. However, his advocacy of Hindutva ideology has been criticized by some as divisive and exclusionary, as it emphasizes the primacy of the Hindu identity and culture over other religious identities. Critics argue that it promotes Hindu nationalism and undermines the secular and inclusive character of India's democracy.

During India's freedom struggle, Savarkar opposed the Quit India Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942. He argued that India should support the British war effort against Nazi Germany and that the time was not right for a mass movement against the British colonial rule. His stance on the Quit India Movement has been criticized by some as a betrayal of the Indian national cause and an endorsement of British colonialism.

Savarkar's views on the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan were controversial. He opposed the idea of a separate Muslim state and argued that India should be a Hindu Rashtra, or a Hindu nation. He supported the idea of a separate homeland for Hindus within India, which would have included parts of present-day Pakistan and Bangladesh. His views on the partition have been criticized by some as communal and sectarian, and as contributing to the violence and bloodshed that followed the partition.

Savarkar has been accused of having links to Hindu extremist groups, such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Hindu Mahasabha. Some critics have alleged that these groups have promoted communal violence against religious minorities in India, and that Savarkar's ideas and actions have contributed to this. However, others argue that Savarkar was a moderate voice within the Hindu nationalist movement and that he did not support violence or extremism.

Conclusion:

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar passed away on February 26, 1966, at the age of 83, in Mumbai, India. His death was widely reported in the Indian media and was mourned by his followers and admirers. Savarkar had been suffering from ill-health for several years before his death. He had suffered a heart attack in 1964 and had been confined to a wheelchair ever since. In the days leading up to his death, his health had deteriorated further, and he had been put on a life support system.

After his death, Savarkar's body was taken to the Shivaji Park in Mumbai, where thousands of his followers and admirers gathered to pay their respects. His body was then taken to the Hindu crematorium in Dadar, where it was cremated with full state honors.

The news of Savarkar's death was received with mixed reactions in India. While his followers and admirers mourned his passing and hailed him as a national hero, his detractors and critics remained critical of his ideas and actions.

Despite the controversies surrounding him, Savarkar's legacy has endured in Indian history. He is remembered as a revolutionary leader who fought for India's freedom from British colonial rule and as a champion of Hindu nationalism and culture. His ideas and actions continue to inspire and influence Indian politics and society to this day.

Picture By Savarkar smarak sangrahalay - Savarkar smarak sangrahalay, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=115307000