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…
