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MAHA PURUSH VEER SAVARKAR
Veer Savakar

Veer Savarkar, a freedom fighter or a Traitor?

This might be the question in every one's mind after his Inscription was removed from Swathantra Jyothi by Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyyar, Petroleum and Panchayat Raj Minister (U.P.A. Govt.).  Mr. Aiyyar and his Partymen says that Mr. Savarkar was not a Freedom fighter.  BJP and Sangh Parivar parties say that Mr. Savarkar was a fervent Freedom fighter.  Who is right and who is wrong?  That is not the bottom line, the bottom line is who is SAVARKAR and what was his role for the freedom struggle.

VINAYAK DAMODAR SAVARKAR, born on 28th May, 1883 at Nasik, Maharashtra.  He was brought up in a Middle Class Family in Maharashtra.  Savarkar, as a fifteen year boy, was well known for his outspoken and intelligence by his Teachers and his colleagues.

In 1898, Chaphekar Brothers were hanged to death, for the assassination of Mr. Rand, a British Officer.  Perhaps this incident was a turning point for the 15 year old Savarkar.  On that day, he decided "freedom of Hindustan", as his foremost aim.  After his Schoolings, in 1901, he took Admission at Fergusson College, Pune for his B.A. Degree.  But Mr. Bala Gangadhar Tilak and Mr. Bhopendra's patriotic Speeches and Articles drew Mr. Savarkar to active politics.

In May 1904, he established an International Revolutionary Institute, named Abhinava Bharatham.  In 1905, he burned imported Goods.  His patriotic Speeches and Articles influenced many students.  His actions irritated the British Government.  As the result, his B.A. Degree was stripped off by the British Government in 1906.

Mr. Savarkar got the prestigious Shivaji's Scholarship to study Law at London.  Mr. Savarkar flew to London.  At London, Mr. Savarkar did not held his anti-British activities.  He researched on the Great Indian Revolution, in 1857, which was called as "Sepoy Mutiny".  He wrote a Biography of 'Gievseppe Mazzini', a revolutionary Leader of Modern Italy, who inspired his countrymen to over throw Austrian Empire's yoke.  Mr. Savarkar wrote his (G. M.) Biography in Marathi.  The book was published by his brother Baba.  2000 copies were sold secretly.  Mr. Baba, was imprisoned for printing this Book.

Meanwhile Mr. Savarkar's research on great Indian Revolution continued.  He some how got the important records regarding the Soldiers and Prince who wanted to drive away the British.  The Great Indian Revolution was the first national effort towards getting Political Independence.  So, Mr. Savarkar likely called his book "Indian War of Independence - 1857". Since he wrote in Marathi, he was not able to print it in British.  The manuscript found its way to India.

The English version of this Book was very much necessary.  But printing his book in British was out of question.  So the book was published at Holland by Madame Cama, without the front cover.  The books were disguised with the front covers of popular novel "Oliver Twist"  and  the books were successfully smuggled to India.  And it reached the hands of the appropriate persons through sympathizers in Ireland, France, Russia, U.S.A, Egypt, German and Brazil.

While at London, Mr. Savarkar organized lot of festivals like Ganesh Utsav, Rakhi, Gurunanak Jayanthi etc. to create awareness among the Indian Students.  The slogan Mr. Savarkar coined during this festivals was

ONE COUNTRY, ONE GOD,

ONE CASTE, ONE MIND,

BROTHERS ALL OF US

WITHOUT DIFFERENCE,

WITHOUT DOUBT

It was during this period, Mr. Savarkar helped and designed the first Indian National Flag, which was unfurled at World Socialist Conference at Stuttgart, Germany.

Mr. Savarkar's Speeches and Articles were the prime inspiration for the Indian Student's at London.  Few people say that Mr. Savarkar was a prime inspiration to Shri. Aurobindo, a revolutionist and the freedom fighter who later took political Sanyas and got himself to Religion.  And he took asylum at Pondicherry, which was ruled by the French.  It is also said that Mr. Savarkar was also a prime inspiration to Mr. Bhagat Singh, a revolutionist and a freedom fighter, who wrote the Third Edition of Savarkar's Book "Indian War of Independence - 1857".  Mr. Savarkar's and his friends actively learned and prepared Bombs and transported Arms illegally to India.

The Scotland yard Police's nose was tightening on Savarkar for revolutionary activities in London, Pune, Nasik.  His Speeches and Articles were traced.  Mr. Savarkar was arrested in 13th March 1910 and sent to India.  He was sent on a Ship named "Morena" which halted at Marsilles.  Savarkar attempted a brave escape.  He was on a strict watch.  There was no way out with the Constables waiting outside.  Savarkar entered the Toilet broke the Window and wriggled out somehow and jumped into the Sea.  He swamp his way to Marsilles port allas.  His friend was supposed to wait at the port, but there were late by a minute or so, so the French Police onguarded and caught Savarkar.  Inspite of the vain, Mr. Savarkar argued to the french Police to take him as a Asylum.  But the French Government denied his Asylum and handed him over to the British Cops.  He was restrained after this Incident.  He was called as legendary Savarkar after this.  After the case was formally trialed in India, he was sent to 50 years of vigorous life imprisonment at Andamans (kala pani - "black water") in 24th December 1910.

Since 4th July 1911, he was in Andaman Jail in solitude.  On 2nd May 1921, he was brought to India from Andamans.  Since 1921 to 1923 he was at Alipur (Bengal) and Rathnagiri (Maharashtra) Jails.  On 6th January 1924, he was released from the Jail on two conditions that he will not participate in active politics and will stay at Rathnagiri, where he was house-arrested.  The conditions at the Jail were inhuman, back-breaking jobs such as Stone breaking, Rope making and Milling.  Last prisoner had to grind the copre in the Mill, tied like an Oxen.  Each had to grind 30 pounds of Oil everyday.  Some died due to sheer exhaustion, inhuman treatment of beating and whipping, stale Food, unsanitary conditions, stone beds, cold weather etc.  Winter used to take their tolls.

Mr. Savarkar was chained all the times.  At Kala pani, the inhuman conditions did not stop Savarkar from protesting and sitting on a Dharna and fasting for the Religious discrimination.  The Dharna resulted in inspection at Kala pani, in which several British Officers were suspended for inhuman activities and religious discrimination.  As a result, Mr. Savarkar was removed from a Cell to an another remote Cell, which was absolutely Dark.  Remote and Dark Cell, what did Mr. Savarkar do?

Savarkar was a good poet.  As a poet, he was restless and uneasy, finally he found a nail and started writing an epic called "Kamal" which consisted of 1000 lines, on the mud walls of Cell, in total darkness (he did not had the luxury of having a pen and a paper).  A Hindi journalist, to whom Mr. Savarkar taught Marathi, came to the Cell, when Mr. Savarkar was removed from the Cell, all of the sudden.  The Journalist learned the poem, by hearted it, and later published the poems in his Newspaper.

After spending 16 long years, Mr. Savarkar was transferred to Rathnagiri Jail, and kept under House arrest.  He was re-united with his wife, whom he had married before going to England.  Over this time, they had two children, a son and a daughter.

By this time, Mr. Savakar was well known for his book "Indian War of Independence - 1857".  He influenced two generations of revolutionist.  The Second edition of this Book was brought out by his friend and the third edition by Mr. Bhagat Singh.

Thought Mr. Savarkar promised not to take part in active politics, he raised his voice in support of Hindus.  Whenever it was required.  Till his last breath, he belived in Hindu Rajya.  In 1946, he disagreed with Gandhi's views of partition and hindu-muslim unity, which led to the unnecessary riots at Bengal. The majority of people who died in the riots were innocent Hindus. Hindu women were molasted and forcefully converted to Islam. Death toll rang at Bengal. Savarkar condemned and raised his voice against the Killing and conversion. Finally after all the controversies and killings, India and Pakistan were partitioned.

On 15th August, 1947, the dawn of freedom arrived for Bharath. India became independent. After independence, Savarkar turned his life as a Social worker. He helped a lot of Institute like Hindu Maha Sabha and R.S.S. (Rashtriya Suyamsevak Sangh). Even after independence, Mr. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi continued to support Muslims and their policies. Mr. Gandhi's act irritated Nethuram Godse, a volunteer at Hindu Maha Sabha. He assassinated Gandhi on January 30th 1948. And Godse upheld his actions till his death. He was hanged to death for the assassination of Mr. Gandhi. Since Nethuram Godse considered Mr. Savarkar as his role model, Savarkar was arrested in association with Mr. Gandhi's case. Savarkar was the seventh suspect in this case.

But the court acquitted Mr. Savarkar due to lack of evidence. Since then, the life of Savarkar became miserable. His basic rights were denied. Even at that time, Mr. Savarkar raised his voice against english usage in the Indian Parliament. He coined several Sanskrit words such as Chhayachitra (Photograph), Sansad (Senate), Vyangyachitra (Cartoons) etc.

The legendary Savarkar sat on Uthrov-Upanesam, which means to sit facing towards North and fasting till death. Savarkar refused to take any food or water and alast died on Febraury 26th, 1966 (Saturday).

Dead did not grab him. But he approached the Death with erected head.

Savarkar is revered as Brave Savarkar, Veer Savarkar.

Even the almighty British have accepted Savakar as a freedom fighter and honoured him by inscribing his name in his room. The board reads as

"Veer Savarkar, Maha Patriot, Freedom Fighter, philosopher of India"

When the great British have recognised his Veer, then why not the Indian Government?

Author: Ashwin S. Kumar
Email: ashwinsaikumar@yahoo.co.in