Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
- Context: Today, the Prime Minister remembered Veer Savarkar on his birth anniversary. In a social media post, he mentioned that Veer Savarkar’s courage and patriotism will always inspire the people.
Early Life
- Widely known as Swatantryaveer Savarkar, he was born on May 28, 1883, in Nashik.
- He was a revolutionary nationalist, lawyer, politician, writer, and social reformer. He played a key role in India’s freedom movement.
Organizations and Revolutionary Activities
- In the year 1899, Savarkar founded a secret revolutionary group called ‘Mitra Mela’. It was later reorganized as the ‘Abhinav Bharat Society’ in 1904.
- While staying in London in 1906, he founded the ‘Free India Society’ to ignite nationalist feelings among Indian students living abroad.
- He was also closely associated with ‘India House’, which was founded by Shyamji Krishna Varma and became a hub for anti-colonial revolutionary activities.
- Savarkar supported armed struggle against British rule, promoted guerrilla-style tactics, and was also allegedly linked with the manufacturing of crude bombs. He also provided legal support to Madan Lal Dhingra.
- As a writer, he authored influential works such as ‘Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?‘ and ‘The History of the War of Indian Independence’. Some of his articles were published under the pen name “Mahratta”.
Arrest and Imprisonment
- Savarkar was arrested in 1909 for allegedly conspiring to incite an armed rebellion against the reforms introduced under the Indian Councils Act of 1909.
- He was deported to India, convicted, and sentenced to two consecutive life imprisonments at the Cellular Jail, infamously known as ‘Kala Pani’.
Political Life and Ideological Views
- After his release, Savarkar became the president of the Hindu Mahasabha from 1937 to 1943.
- He opposed the Quit India Movement, believing that it would not succeed in achieving independence.
- He also participated in discussions regarding the Cripps Mission and the Wavell Plan, emphasizing the importance of national unity.
- Inspired by leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal, Savarkar supported the concept of a united India based on equal rights and patriotism.
- He championed social reforms by opposing untouchability and caste discrimination, promoting inter-caste marriages, supporting the entry of Dalits into temples through initiatives like the Patit Pavan Mandir, encouraging seafaring (crossing the oceans), and supporting reconversion back to Hinduism.
Death and Legacy
- In 1964, believing that his life’s mission was fulfilled after India achieved independence, Savarkar chose to fast unto death starting from February 1. He passed away on February 26, 1966.
- To honor his contribution to the nation, the airport in Port Blair was renamed as the Veer Savarkar International Airport in 2002.
