The True Indian: Veer Savarkar - the Prince of Revolutionaries

India won freedom due to the blood and tears shed by hundreds of valiant revolutionaries and their families. They sacrificed everything for securing the freedom of our motherland. They braved British barbarity and faced death, deportation, imprisonment and forfeiture of property. Freedom was certainly not won by pleas, prayers and petitions. It was won substantially by violent and armed struggle by revolutionaries, a process that culminated in the Naval Uprising of 1946 and subsequent independence on Aug 15, 1947. But certain political parties like Congress and communists have tried to paint demonize these brave patriots for their petty, puny political interests. The most important misunderstood Indian revolutionary was Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (May 28,1883 – February 26, 1966).

Many people may be surprised to hear that Savarkar was not just a fearless freedom fighter, but also a politician, poet, writer, social reformer and a philosopher. He remains largely unknown to the masses because of the vicious propaganda against him and misunderstanding around him that has been created over several decades. I am writing this article mainly in response to my communist friends who call Savarkar a ‘coward’ and a communalist. May be they won’t understand, but I hope, common people would try to understand the life of this patriot.

WHY SAVARKAR IS UNIQUE IN INDIAN FREEDOM STRUGGLE?

The first political leader to daringly set Absolute Political Independence as India's goal (1900).

The first Indian political leader to daringly perform a bonfire of foreign (English) clothes (1905).

The first Indian to organize a revolutionary movement for India's Independence on an international

level (1906).

The first Indian law student who was not called to the English Bar despite having passed his examination and observed the necessary formalities, for his activities to seek India's freedom from the British (1909).

The only Indian leader whose arrest in London caused legal difficulties for British Courts and whose case is still referred to in the interpretations of the Fugitive Offenders Act and the Habeas Corpus (Rex Vs Governor of Brixton Prison, ex-parte Savarkar)

The first Indian historian whose book on the 1857 War of Independence was proscribed by British Authorities in India even before its publication. The Governor General had asked the Postmaster General to confiscate copies of the book six months before the book was officially banned (1909).

The first political prisoner whose daring escape and arrest on French soil became a cause celebre in the International Court of Justice at The Hague. This case was mentioned in many International Treaties at that time (1910).

The first graduate whose degree was withdrawn by an Indian University for striving for India's freedom (1911).

The first poet in the world who, deprived of pen and paper, composed his poems and then wrote them on the prison walls with thorns and nails, memorized ten thousand lines of his poetry for years and later transmitted them to India through his fellow-prisoners who also memorized these lines.

The first revolutionary leader who within less than 10 years gave a death-blow to the practice of untouchability in the remote district of Ratnagiri while being interned there.

The first Indian leader who successfully started -

A Ganeshotsava open to all Hindus including ex-untouchables (1930).

Interdining ceremonies of all Hindus including ex-untouchables (1931).

"Patitpavan Mandir", open to all Hindus including ex-untouchables (22 February 1931).

A cafe open to all Hindus including ex-untouchables (01 May 1933).

The first political prisoner in the world who was sentenced to Transportation for Life twice, a sentence unparalleled in the history of the British Empire.

The first political leader to embrace death voluntarily by way of Atma Samarpan in the highest tradition of Yoga (1966).

VEER SAVARKAR :- A FEARLESS REVOLUTIONARY

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, popularly known as Veer Savarkar was born in Nashik on May 28, 1883. The whole Savarkar family was deeply spiritual and fiercely patriotic. Having lost his parents at a very young age, his elder brother Babarao Savarkar had a profound influence on him. Vinayak was only 15 years old when he took an oath before the family deity to conduct armed revolt to free our motherland from the tyrannic British rule.

Savarkar’s role in freedom struggle began in 1900 with the formation of Mitra Mela, a secret revolutionary society. This organization conducted various progammes to instill patriotism among the Indian youngsters. In 1904, he founded Abhinav Bharat, the secret revolutionary organization in Nashik and later founded a branch of it later in London too. He was also at forefront in the agitation against the Partition of Bengal (1905) and the Swadeshi campaign. He was inspired by the activities of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal and Lala Lajpat Rai. In 1906, Savarkar left for London to be a barrister.

“We must stop complaining about this British officer or that officer, this law or that law. There would be no end to that. Our movement must not be limited to being against any particular law, but it must be for acquiring the authority to make laws itself. In other words, we want absolute independence.”

- Savarkar during the formation of Free India Society

It was during his life in London, he wrote his famous Indian War of Independence 1857. The book was banned throughout the British Empire. Madame Bhikaji Cama obtained its publication in the Netherlands, France and Germany. Widely smuggled and circulated, the book attained great popularity and influenced rising young Indians. This book was inspiration to thousands of Indian revolutionaries including the bravehearts in Ghadar Party, then Bhagat Singh and his friends as well as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and his Indian National Army (INA).

Savarkar also studied revolutionary methods and he came into contact with a veteran of the Russian Revolution of 1905 who imparted him the knowledge of bomb-making. Savarkar had printed and circulated a manual amongst his friends on bomb-making and other methods of guerrilla warfare. He turned India House into a hub for Indian revolutionaries and was behind the assassinations of two cruel high-ranking British officers Curzon Wylie (by Madan Lal Dhingra) and A.M.T Jackson (by Anant Kanhare).

Savarkar was arrested by the British Police in London in March 1910 and was transported to India to be tried in the Jackson murder case. In the final days of freedom, Savarkar wrote letters to a close friend planning his escape. Knowing that he would most likely be shipped to India, Savarkar asked his friend to keep track of which ship and route he would be taken through. When the ship S.S. Morea reached the port of Marseille on 8 July 1910, Savarkar escaped from his cell through a porthole and dived into the water, swimming to the shore in the hope that his friend would be there to receive him in a car. But his friend was late in arriving, and the alarm having been raised, Savarkar was re-arrested.

Savarkar’s arrest in Marseille caused International dispute and it came before the Permanent Court of International Arbitration in 1910, and it gave its decision in 1911 [see Arrest and Return of Savarkar (France v. Great Britain)]. He was finally transported to Bombay and was sentenced to 50 years imprisonment and later to the horrific Cellular Jail in Andamans.

DID SAVARKAR FILE A MERCY PETITION?

It must be realized that rotting in British jails was not the aim of Savarkar's revolutionary struggle. In his My Transportation for Life he writes," Excluding deceitful treason, you may accept other conditions in national interest and free yourself. After becoming free, you may resume nationalistic activity". It is significant that Savarkar disapproved of political prisoners fasting themselves to death. In this context, it is noteworthy that Savarkar had termed the self-sacrifice of Rajputs as being praiseworthy but not worthy of emulation. Savarkar was a true disciple of Chhatrapati Shivaji. Shivaji too had written to Aurangzeb to secure his release. Will these worthies call Chhatrapati Shivaji a collaborator of the Mughals? Savarkar was the first Indian student not called to the Bar because of his anti-British activities. What kind of life did Savarkar face in the jail in the Andamans from 1911 to 1924? The history ticket of Savarkar tells the story. Here are few notings:

6 months solitary confinement;

Seven days standing handcuffs

Absolutely refusing to work, ten days cross bar fetters imposed. (Source material for a history of the freedom movement in India Vol. II., Bombay Government publication, pp 478/479).

Are these indicators of a secret understanding with the British? Far from his spirit being broken by the inhuman prison conditions, Savarkar displayed rare courage. In the absence of resources, Savarkar wrote more than 5000 lines of sublime poetry on the prison walls and memorized them! This is a unique example in the annals of world literature. Is this the mark of a man whose spirit had been broken? The testimonies of the British officials regarding Savarkar indicate that far from being sympathetic to him, they were wary of him and indeed dreaded him. There is a following noting, "He is always suave and polite but like his brother, he has never shown any disposition to actively assist Government. It is impossible to say what his real political views are at the present time" (ibid, p.464). The following three excerpts from the same source show how desperate the British government was to prevent release of the Savarkar brothers:

"Bombay Government does not recommend any remission of the sentences passed upon Ganesh Damodar Savarkar and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar" (p.467)

"Government of India agrees that the Savarkar brothers should not be released under the Royal Amnesty." This is dated 8th December 1919 (p.469).

"The Government of Bombay by their letter No. 1106/36, Home Department, dated 29th February 1921, informed the Government of India that the Governor in Council was not in favour of the transfer of the Savarkar brothers from Andamans to a jail in the Bombay Presidency, as that would lead to a recrudescence of agitation in their favour."

It is not surprising that Savarkar's prison ticket worn round his neck carried the letter 'D' which stood for 'Dangerous'! Much has been made of his 1913 petition to the British seeking his release. Savarkar’s detractors have cleverly concealed the following extract that appears in the same petition, "If the manhood of the nation be allowed to phase glories and responsibilities of the empire with perfect equality with other citizens of it, then Indian patriots of all shades and opinions can conscientiously feel that burning sense of loyalty that one feels for one's motherland. I also beg to submit that nothing can contribute so much to the widening and deepening of the sentiment of loyalty as a general release of all those prisoners who had been convicted for committing political offences in India. With my exception, let all the rest be released. Let the volunteer movement go on and I will rejoin in that"(emphasis ours). Savarkar's disregard for his personal welfare and his concern for fellow inmates stand out in this petition. He further says in his narrative," In case the government suspected, I wrote in conclusion my motive in writing the letter (September 1914). I offered to do so without any release for myself personally. Let them release all the political prisoners in the country, leaving me alone in my cell in the Andamans. I shall rejoice in their freedom as if it was my own. The government was right in suspecting me; perhaps when free, I might lead an agitation to break the peace in India. I had not written the letter to seek my own liberation or to compel them to set me free along with other political prisoners involved in similar or the same political conspiracies. Hence I had the proposal to keep me back and set all others free (ibid, p 341)". Even after his release from the Andamans, the British hounded Savarkar. He was incarcerated in the relatively backward district of Ratnagiri. His weekly Shraddhanand was banned. The British never returned his ancestral property that they had confiscated.

It should also be noted that the Savarkar had acted against British rule after he was released from prison in 1924. Just remember the attempted murder of Acting Governor of Bombay Ernest Hotson in 1931 (by Vasudeo Balwant Gogte). Savarkar was also instrumental in giving Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose the idea of organizing a revolutionary army abroad with the help of the Axis Powers when they met in 1940.

Netaji in his speech on Azad Hind Radio (June 25, 1944) acknowledged Savarkar's perspicacity in these words:

"When due to misguided political whims and lack of vision, almost all the leaders of Congress party have been decrying all the soldiers in Indian Army as mercenaries, it is heartening to know that Veer Savarkar is fearlessly exhorting the youths of India to enlist in armed forces. These enlisted youths themselves provide us with trained men and soldiers for our Indian National Army."

So did Savarkar turn, pro-British? Definitely not!!

Statue of Veer Savarkar at Cellular Jail

SAVARKAR AND INDIAN MINORITIES

I have seen many of my leftist friends saying Savarkar as a anti-Muslim. Was he anti-Muslim? Let the facts speak for itself.

“Hindus are the heart of Hindustan. Nevertheless, just as the beauty of the rainbow is not impaired but enhanced by its various hues, so also Hindustan will look the more beautiful across the sky by assimilating all the best from the Muslim, Parsi, Jewish and other civilisations.”

- Savarkar’s speech in 1909 Dusserha gathering of Indians in London.

Savarkar’s stance on Hindu-Muslim unity:-

'if you come, with you; if you don't without you; and if you oppose, in spite of you - the Hindus will continue to fight for their National Freedom as best as they can'!

All these points show that there is no way that Savarkar can be anti-Muslim or anti-Christian. If he spoke up against the fanaticism amongst some Muslims, he can’t be villified as anti-Muslim. I also request the readers to see the fact that in his book, First War of Indian Independence, 1857, he had no problems in praising the patriotism of Azimullah Khan or Moulavi Ahmad Shah along with Nana Saheb Peshwa, Tantya Tope and Rani Laxmi Bai. He had Muslim and Chrisitian friends like Asaf Ali and Dr. Sequeria De Coutinho who were prominent Indian revolutionaries in Abhinav Bharat movement. I further request you to read the following excerpt from Savakar’s book – ‘My Transportation for Life.’

" I have no hatred in my heart for Muslim or Christian brothers or even for those living in tribes in primitive state. I do not even despise any of them. I oppose only that section of it vehemently which is oppressive and violent towards others."

It may be also noted to show how Savarkar was a staunch defender of Indian nationalism.

“We are trying our best, as we ought to do, to develop the consciousness of and a sense of attachment to the greater whole, whereby Hindus, Mohammedans, Parsis Christians, and Jews would feel as Indians first and every other thing afterwards.” (Essentials of Hindutva – Page 54)

I hope this will satisfy the Savarkar-bashers!

SAVARKAR AND GANDHI MURDER

I have seen many of the communists and Congressmen yelling that Savarkar was responsible for the murder of Gandhiji. Hence, I would now like to the state the relations between Savarkar and Gandhi and how he was accquitted by the courts.

Interactions between Savarkar and Gandhi:-

Savarkar came to London on 24 June 1906. His activities started immediately thereafter. Gandhi came to London in October, leading a deputation on behalf of Indians in South Africa, who were facing severe discrimination there. Gandhi had no reason to visit the India House, a house in Highgate, London converted into an Indian students’ hostel. He was 14 years older than Savarkar and was not new to London. He studied Law in London during 1888-1891. But the reputation of Savarkar was such that Gandhi could not resist the temptation of meeting him.

Despite having passed his examinations in July 1909, Savarkar was not called to the Bar by the benchers of Grays Inn because of his political activities (namely, fighting for the freedom of India from British rule).

Gandhi was once again in London in November. Savarkar then organized a public gathering of Indians to celebrate the festival of Vijayadashami. He requested Gandhi to be its Chairman. In his speech Gandhi said, “Though I have my differences with Savarkar, I consider it a great honour to be in his company today.” Referring to the fact that Savarkar was not called to the Bar, Gandhi said, “May India bear the fruits of his sacrifices.”

In 1923, Savarkar was sent to Yerawada Jail in Pune. Gandhi was also kept in the same jail, but the two were not allowed to meet.

In 1927, Savarkar was in internment in Ratnagiri. Gandhi who was then on a tour of Maharashtra happened to visit that town. As Savarkar was ill, he invited Gandhi to his house. Gandhi and his wife Kasturba gladly accepted the invitation on 08 March.

In response to a civic reception given by Ratnagiri Municipality, Gandhi said,

“As Ratnagiri is the birth place of Lokmanya Tilak, it is a place of pilgrimage to all Indians. I wanted to visit this place because, in addition, it is also a place where Savarkar lives. I had previously met him in London. I admire his patriotism and sacrifices. As he is in internment, it was my duty to come to Ratnagiri to meet him"

Was Savarkar accquitted solely on technical grounds?

Savarkar disapproved of assassination as a method of conducting politics in free India. In fact, even during his revolutionary days in London, when some hotheads in the revolutionary camp thought of killing moderate leader GK Gokhale for his timid attitude, Savarkar had rebuked them and bitterly condemned that very sinful thought. He voiced a timely warning that such a mad act and attack on one of their compatriots for his own way of thinking would imperil the power and prestige of the revolutionary movement (My Transportation for Life, p 163). Savarkar never involved himself in Godse's enterprise of starting a paper and never contributed a column as requested by Godse. Godse had lost faith in the ability of the Hindu Mahasabha to stem the tide of Partition and had started his own organization. Savarkar had recognized and welcomed the post-Partition Indian state and hoisted the tricolour, something that Godse had disapproved. Godse himself had denied that Savarkar had any role in Gandhi's assassination. Even under extreme torture, none of the accused had named Savarkar. The Special Court had acquitted Savarkar. The Nehru government, which was hell-bent on framing Savarkar, dared not go in appeal against Savarkar's acquittal.

It should also be noted that Savarkar lived till 1966 (17 years after his accquittal in Gandhi murder case). The refusal of Nehru govt shows that his accquittal had been not just on technical grounds.

SAVARKAR - AN EXTRA-ORDINARY INNINGS AS A WRITER AND POET.

Another important fact buried by the Leftists is the enormous contribution of Savarkar towards the Marathi literature. His poems in Marathi like 'Kamala' and many others were the symbols of his uncompromising patriotism. His major works were Hindu Pad-Padashahi, the History of the Maratha Empire, The History of Sikhs (which was lost) and finally the 'Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History'. This final book was written mainly to refute the utterly incorrect argument that India's history as a series of defeats. In this epic book, Savarkar narrates the tale of Indian victories over invaders right from the ancient times.

CONCLUSION

Hence, we must infer from these facts that the position of Savarkar in the Indian freedom struggle is at par with Gandhiji and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, if not more. So, I request my friends to accept the fact. You people may not accept his political ideology, but please respect his unapologetic patriotism and devotion to Bharat Mata.

Vande Mataram!!