सत्ता अपुली मत्ता अपुली I ही रत्नांची खाण
कुणीहिरावुनि नेऊ बघता I रक्षू अर्पुनी प्राण
Translation:-She is our Might, she is our Pride,She is our diamond mine. Dare anyone try to shackle her,We shall defend her with our life!-Veer Damodar Savarkar.
On 26th February 1966, a great revolutionary leader, who engaged his entire life fighting for a Free and rational, un-orthodox society, lost his life due to starvation. Veer Damodar Savarkar, a name that shocked the spine of the British government, was no more.
Childhood-
Right from his childhood, Savarkar was a devoted person, whose only mission was to free his motherland. Born in a Marathi Chitpavan Brahmin Hindu Family to Damodar and Radhabai Savarkar in the village of Bhagur, Nashik, he had three siblings, two brothers, and a sister. Savarkar and both of his brothers were actively involved in the freedom struggle. In school days, Savarkar read about Hindu gods and deities and used to write poems in Marathi. His poems were appreciated by many and were the revolutionary pieces.
(pic: Savarkar with his brothers)
Savarkar, and his brother Narayan Savarkar, started the Abhinav Bharat group to carry out and discuss freedom activities. At first, it was just a group meeting of 5 people, and later, they managed to get the traction.
The Spark of Extrimism -
(Pic: Chaphekar Bandhu)
In 1897 Plague struck India. The British inflicted atrocities on the people. The Chaphekar brothers, Damodar Hari and Balkrishna Hari killed Special Plague Committee Chairman Rand, to avenge these atrocities. All the Fighters embraced the gallows. These hangings stirred Maharashtra. The young Vinayak was moved to write a play on Tilak and Chaphekar brothers, which was considered very inflammable by the villagers, they did not enact. He started writing more poems that held the idea of freedom.
Oath: The Start of Journey
(Pic: Taken from a documentary on Savarkar)
Disturbed with Britishers and this incident, in the dead of the night, he approached the deity of Ashtabhuja Devi and pledged thus: "For the sake of my country's freedom, I shall embrace death while killing the enemy in an armed revolution like the Chapekars or become victorious like Shivaji and place the crown of freedom on my motherland's forehead. I shall unfurl the flag of armed revolution and fight unto the last". In later years, Savarkar narrated that this oath had a lasting impact on him. Its effect never dimmed in his darkest hours.
Pune-
After completing his SSC, Savarkar enrolled himself at Fergusson College, Pune, and completed his Bachelor's degree. During his college days, he started to introduce Abhinav Bharat to his fellow mates. They used to conduct the meetings in his dorm and discuss nation-building. The actions of extremist political leaders like Lokmany Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra pal, inspired and motivated him. He encouraged and promoted Abhinav Bharat.
In 1905, the British decided to partition Bengal. Savarkar organized a bonfire and burnt the clothes from Lancashire, as a mark of protest. The college authority fined him Rs 10 for this act and expelled him from the hostel.
After graduation, Tilak wrote a recommendation letter for him to a patriot Shyamji Verma, who was offering scholarships to dedicated students. And he went to London for further studies. British had written a letter to the Indian office in London to keep an eye on firebrand.
Savarkar, in his scholarship application, had mentioned not only he wanted to become a barrister but also, basically, continue his fight against the British in England.
London-
Savarkar had various plans in mind when he went to London. He wanted to observe the British's strengths and weaknesses to achieve freedom. He made connections with other revolutionary leaders of countries like Russia, China, Ireland, Turkey, Egypt, and Iran. He learned the techniques to prepare the explosives, which he later smuggled to India into use to overthrow the British rule. He used to organize meetings, which were popular among many students from other nations. Lenin was also part of these meetings. The topic of discussions would be India's future and future constitution of India. He also continued these meetings in Andaman's cellular jails.
Savarkar read about history rigorously when he was in London. He wrote about an Italian politician, Mazzini, who inspired him to form a group called 'Free Indian Society'. The book was published in India by his brother. He also wrote a book on 1857 uprising which was banned by the British in India. It was secretly published in Holland. This material served as a source of inspiration for the Indians like Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, etc for the next 40 years.
In July 1909, Madanlal Dhingra shot dead Sir William Curzon Wyllie. Although Savarkar was not present on-site, according to some sources he had involvement in providing the arms to Dhingra. Madanlal Dhingra was sentenced to death. Savarkar appreciated the act of Dhingra and an arrest warrant was issued against him in London. The British decided to conduct trials in India. When he was being transported to India by a ship, Savarkar managed to elude his guards and swam to the nearest France territory.
The recapture of Savarkar from France remains a celebrated case in International Law.
As soon as Savarkar reached Bombay station, Victoria Terminus, he was sent to the jail. He was sentenced to life imprisonment not once but twice. Savarkar commented on this fearful decision of the British by thanking them to believe in the concept of Re-incarnation. 28 years old, Savarkar, was sent to Port Blair, Andaman Nicobar.
The horrors of Cellular Jail-
On 4th July 1911, Savarkar was transported to the infamous cellular jail in Andaman & Nicobar to serve 50 years of imprisonment. He was not considered a political prisoner by the British. The construction of jail was complex. It was surrounded by dense forests and cannibals. So only a fool will try to escape the jail premise, said Savarkar. Rebels who survived the execution in 1857 uprising were also exiled for life in Andaman, to suppress their nationalism.
In his book My Transportation: Savarkar mentions that the life of a political prisoner had been difficult, but not unbearable. The prisoners were very ill-treated in the cellular jails. British officer's main aim was to break their spirit and completely demoralize them. Savarkar didn't know about his brother Baburao Savarkar was also a prisoner on the same premises. This is how the prisoners were isolated from each other. As a punishment, political prisoners were often forced to turn the oil mill. This was cruel, inhuman, and involved being yoked like animals. No dacoit more than 20 years was allowed this punishment. But political prisoners of every age were forced to turn the wheel. The mental agony and torture from the British authorities were so terrible that few prisoners were physically unable to do labor alloted.
An article in The Guardian termed these prisoners as the "Survivors of Hell".
Within 4 years, 3500 out of 8000 transportees had been killed or died of fever. They were treated in a dehumanizing manner. Many prisoners were subjected to experiments by British officials and the doctors to satisfy their sadistic urges. Once a letter of another prisoner was found in the cell of Savarkar by an officer. He was handcuffed and kept standing for 7 straight days. Savarkar had orchestrated many hunger strikes in jail against the treatment provided to them. Many who stood with him died in forced-eating.
Despite severe efforts from the British, Savarkar did not fell weak mentally. Savarkar was kept on the top floor, deliberately, so that he can see all the horrendous actions by the british on his prisoner friends. Those years strengthened his spirit of revolution and helped him to evolve as a man committed to his cause. This period reflects the growth of Savarkar: the culmination of his ideological journey towards "Hinduism".
Savarkar wrote many petitions to the British authorities for his release and return to the motherland. Never did once the British accepted his mercy plea. They instead released his brother which enabled them to control both. Later in 1920, The Indian National Congress and leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, VithaBhai Patel, and Bal Gangadhar tilak demanded his unconditional release.
Savarkar has to detach himself from the freedom struggle activities-was the condition, which he had accepted. This is considered as a coward action of Savarkar by many of the today’s so called politicians. I would urge my readers to read his letters from the infamous jail to the british which are out public.
Life after supposed Divorce with Freedom Struggle-
On 2 May 1921, the Savarkar brothers were moved to a jail in Ratnagiri. In this jail he was allowed to write. He wrote down about 10,000 verses on paper, which he had written on the walls in cellular jail. He wrote, "Essentials Of Hindutva" that formulated his theory of Hindutva. On 6 January 1924 he was finally released but confined to Ratnagiri District.
One of the most important components of such injunctions of the past that we have blindly carried on and which deserves to be thrown in the dustbins of history is the rigid caste system. This system has vivisected our Hindu society into so many micro-fragments, forever at war with one another. From temples, streets, houses, jobs, village councils, to institutions of law and legislature, it has only injected a spectre of eternal conflict between two Hindus; weakened our unity and resolve to stand united against any external threats. It is one of the biggest impediments in the conception of a Hindu Rashtra.-Savarkar quoted in Vikram Sampat
(Sahbhojan started by Savarkar to remove the stigma of Untouchability)
During these years, Savarkar worked actively in consolidating Hindus. He became a prolific writer during this period. Savarkar started social work by working against orthodox methods that were followed in the society. He strongly advocated for inter-caste marriages and often indicated how this inter-caste blending is the reason for a varied population in India.
Hindu-Mahasabha-
Savarkar co-founded Hindu Mahasabha against the All India Muslim League. He resisted the idea of secularism of Congress party and their special appeasements.
Hindu Mahasabha was the representation of Hindus in the country, he said. A tainted face of Savarkar and Hindu Mahasabha is often displayed as opposition to the nation-wide Quit-India movement launched by Gandhiji. Savarkar's idea was never against a free India but Quit India was not just a step to overthrow a British rule. Quit-India movement demanded the British to leave India but India will retain British and American forces to safeguard India. Savarkar was against this thought. Congress had also declined his agreements to support because they did not meet their principles of appeasement.
Savarkar was a strong opponent to Gandhi's idea of a secular nation when the Jinnah advocated strongly for Muslims. He strongly opposed Gandhi's decision of transferring power to the Muslim League if they restrain the idea of Pakistan.
Here is the source behind this allegation by Savarkar. A letter from Gandhi just one day before launching the Quit India movement. Just imagine! Readers, after reading all this, do you think Veer Savarkar was wrong when he didn't support Quit India Movement? Well, I leave this for you to decide.
Savarkar was a staunch critic of Pakistan and opposed its partition from India. He was of the view that Hindus and Muslims should live under one constitution of India which will be ‘predominantly’ Hindu. His idea of India was that it was an inclusive ‘Hindu Nation’ but with cultural autonomy to the Muslims. He even advocated a separate flag for the Muslims.
Relevance-
'Savarkar' name still reverberates in Indian politics, even after 54 years of death. He is hailed as an icon by the Right Wing and the Hindu organizations. Savarkar's idea of Hindutva is relevant to-date. He never preached for a divisive India, although he had strong opinions on Non-Hindus. His opponents call him a man who ran away from the British during the struggle. Although the rationale behind his too many mercy pleas from the cellular jail was to involve himself actively in political turmoil and awaken the extremist movement which Gandhi had overshadowed.
Percieved as Gandhi’s opponent, he was also arrested for the involvement in his murder. Although, he was released by the Supreme Court Of India as there was no proof of his participation.
Tussle With Indian National Congress-
On 1st february 1966, Savarkar sat for atmaarpan. He refused to take food, liquids and medicine. On 26th February the motherland lost her one of the greatest children. However Congress government did no official mourning on his depart. Savarkar and Congress were considered strong poltical rival. Even after Freedom, Congress did not let savarkar live freely. Maybe his open and strong support for hinduism and opposition to special appeasements rose Congress’s insecurities.
Jawaharlal Nehru even refused to declare him as a freedom-Fighter. It was Lal Bahadur Shastri who started to give pension to savarkar which is awarded to freedom fighters. Maybe it was his Non-pacifist thoughts which were matched with Indira Gandhi as she often glorified him in her speeches. His Hindutva agenda was caught by the Hindu Groups in the society who hail Savarkar as their guru.
Today, when the Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi openly attribute Savarkar as a coward and refuse to believe him as freedom fighter, his counter-party Bjp demands to award him Bharat Ratna for his magnificent support in freedom struggle. And politics on Savarkar continues...
After observing his life, attempts of torturing and suppressing, his idea of freedom, its evident that Veer Savarkar never once backed himself from the freedom struggle, directly. From the night, when he took an oath till his death he fought for his motherland. His actions for freedom has various dimensions he wrote, provoked, published, and revolted. And yes, he achieved for us!
'The nation that has no consciousness of its past has no future. Equally true it is that a nation must develop its capacity not only of claiming a past, but also of knowing how to use it for the furtherance of its future.'-Savarkar
On his birth anniversary, I hope we Indians realize the dreams and struggles of this freedom fighter. May his thoughts of freedom and a united India reach many.
Jai Hind!
Well that's it from me! Stay Safe!
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