Veer Savarkar, also known as Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, is one of the most debated revolutionaries in the history of Hindutva philosophy. His name evokes contrasting opinions, dividing people into two factions. One side argues that he was involved in Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, was pro-British, and supported the creation of Pakistan. On the other hand, some consider him an extraordinary revolutionary who plotted numerous conspiracies against the British, enduring the harshest punishment, including cellular jail for 50 years. So, was Veer Savarkar a hero, a villain, or is there more to the truth? Let’s delve into his life in this video.

Birth and Early Life

Veer Savarkar was born on May 28, 1883, in the village of Bhagur, Nasik, into a Hindu family. From a young age, he displayed great courage, earning him the title “Veer” (brave). After losing his parents during childhood, he was looked after by his elder brother Ganesh and sister Mainabai. Together with his brother, Savarkar established an organization called “Mitra Mela” in 1899, aimed at inspiring Indians to fight for complete political independence, even if it required taking up arms. In 1904, the organization was renamed Abhinav Bharat Society, known today as the Young India Society

Education and Revolutionary Activities

Savarkar completed his Bachelor of Arts from Fergusson College in Pune. He then went to England, where he enrolled at Gray’s Inn College for law studies and resided at India House. There, he motivated fellow Indian students to fight against the British and formed the “Free India Society.” In 1909, he published his book titled “The First War of Indian Independence – 1857,” which later saw subsequent editions published by Lala Hardayal, Sardar Bhagat Singh, and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Imprisonment and Freedom

Following the publication of his book, the British government revoked Savarkar’s degree and arrested him in London on charges of involvement in assisting a murder case in Nasik. However, when he was being transported back to India, Savarkar made a daring escape attempt by jumping off the ship into the sea in France. Despite his efforts, he was apprehended by the French police and brought back to India. On December 24, 1910, he was sentenced to 50 years of rigorous imprisonment and sent to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman Islands.

While in jail, Savarkar was confined to a small cell. The conditions were deplorable, and every month, three or four prisoners were hanged. Realizing that he could not contribute to the country or society while in jail, Savarkar submitted six mercy petitions to the government in a span of nine years. Besides his appeals, prominent leaders like Vithalbhai Patel, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Mahatma Gandhi also requested his release. Finally, on May 2, 1921, Savarkar was set free. He joined Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s Swaraj Party and later became the President of the Hindu Mahasabha, continuing to contribute to the struggle for independence in clandestine ways.

Controversies and Legacy

In 1948, Veer Savarkar was arrested for his alleged involvement in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. However, he was acquitted due to lack of evidence. Nonetheless, this arrest forever tainted his image, casting a shadow over his legacy. Despite this, Indira Gandhi, in a letter written in 1980, referred to Savarkar as “a great son of India” and acknowledged his strong resistance against the British government as significant for the freedom movement. Furthermore, after his demise in 1966, Indira Gandhi released stamps in his honor and commissioned a documentary on his life. She also provided private financial support for the construction of Savarkar’s memorial in Mumbai.

In recent times, some political parties have attempted to overshadow Savarkar’s contributions and sacrifices in the struggle for independence. Allegations of him sending mercy petitions to the British and his involvement in Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination have been raised. However, it is important to note that such petitions were drafted using humble words, a practice also employed by Gandhi himself. Moreover, Savarkar was acquitted of any wrongdoing in Gandhi’s assassination case.

It is crucial to understand that Bhagat Singh and Veer Savarkar had slightly different ideologies. When Bhagat Singh decided to throw a bomb in the assembly, he had already resolved to kiss the gallows that day. On the other hand, Veer Savarkar was a shrewd revolutionary, aiming to carry out as much anti-British work as possible while remaining underground. His goal was to accomplish whatever he could against the government if he remained outside the prison walls.

It is difficult to find another example in the world of someone who was a poet, writer, freedom fighter, politician, lawyer, and social reformer all in one. Savarkar, who authored five fundamental books and inscribed 6,000 poems on prison walls using shards of stone, also provided education to illiterate inmates. His writings shed light on the struggles of that era, and even today, he faces a tumultuous time in the current political scenario. It is indeed disheartening.