Swatantra Veer Savarkar

  Swatantra Veer Savarkar (28 May 1883 – 26 February 1966)

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar 

Before Political Career:

- Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, better known as Veer Savarkar, was born on May 28, 1883, in the village of Bhagur, near Nashik, in the Bombay Presidency of British India. He came from a prominent Chitpavan Brahmin family, where his early upbringing instilled a sense of pride in India's rich culture and traditions.

- Savarkar displayed great intellectual capabilities from an early age, mastering various Indian scriptures, classical texts, and literature. However, he was deeply impacted by the British colonization of India, which fueled his growing desire for Indian independence. He joined Fergusson College in Pune and actively participated in political debates and revolutionary activities.

- In 1906, Savarkar received a scholarship to study law in London. This was a turning point, as his stay in England further sharpened his anti-colonial sentiments. He soon became a key figure in the India House, a meeting point for Indian students advocating for complete independence from British rule.

- During his stay in London, Savarkar wrote *The First War of Indian Independence 1857*, which reinterpreted the Indian Rebellion of 1857 as a unified struggle for independence, countering British narratives that labeled it a mere mutiny.

Political Career and Revolutionary Activities:

- Veer Savarkar’s political career was rooted in revolutionary activities against British colonial rule. In London, he was involved in organizing protests, writing seditious pamphlets, and advocating for armed resistance. He was a close associate of prominent revolutionaries like Shyamji Krishna Varma, Lala Har Dayal, and Madan Lal Dhingra.

- In 1909, Madan Lal Dhingra assassinated British official William Hutt Curzon Wyllie, an event that shocked Britain. Savarkar was accused of being the mastermind behind this assassination due to his revolutionary activities and incendiary writings. This led to his arrest by the British authorities in 1909.

- In 1910, Savarkar was arrested in London for his involvement in revolutionary activities and was sentenced to two life terms, amounting to 50 years of imprisonment. He was shipped to the Andaman Cellular Jail, also known as Kala Pani, where he endured brutal conditions.

The Cellular Jail:

- During his years at the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar faced unimaginable physical and mental hardships. Arrested in 1909 for his involvement in revolutionary activities against British colonial rule, Savarkar was sentenced to two life imprisonments, amounting to 50 years, and was shipped off to the dreaded jail in 1911. The Cellular Jail, often referred to as "Kala Pani" due to its isolation in the sea, was notorious for its brutal treatment of political prisoners.

Physical Torture: Savarkar was subjected to relentless physical torture. The jail’s work regimen was grueling, with prisoners often forced into hard labor, such as grinding oil using manual mills, breaking stones, or cutting timber under the scorching tropical sun. Savarkar, along with other inmates, would be yoked like oxen to oil mills, a punishment typically reserved for the most hardened criminals. The food provided was inadequate and unhygienic, leading to malnutrition and various illnesses. Medical treatment was scarce, and many prisoners succumbed to the harsh conditions. Flogging and solitary confinement were frequent punishments for even minor infractions, with the British authorities using these methods to break the prisoners' spirits.

Psychological Hardships: In addition to the physical torture, Savarkar endured severe psychological torment. He was kept in solitary confinement for extended periods, isolated from other prisoners to prevent any communication. The lack of human interaction, combined with the squalid conditions, led many prisoners to despair, and suicide was not uncommon. The authorities attempted to strip prisoners of their identity and resolve by treating them as common criminals rather than political prisoners, subjecting them to degrading punishments such as shackling their limbs and restricting access to basic amenities.

Despite these tortures, Savarkar's indomitable spirit remained unbroken. He found solace in writing, often using the walls of his cell as his canvas, scratching out verses and poems with thorns or charcoal. He composed thousands of lines of poetry, much of it later memorized and smuggled out by fellow prisoners. His writings expressed his deep love for India, his anguish over the oppression of his people, and his unshaken determination to see India freed from British rule. Even in such dire circumstances, he used his writings to inspire other inmates, instilling in them a sense of hope and perseverance.

Savarkar’s unyielding resistance to the colonial regime made him a figure of inspiration not only for the prisoners around him but for many revolutionaries across India. His time at the Cellular Jail is a testament to his incredible resolve and sacrifice, serving as a painful yet powerful chapter in the Indian freedom struggle. His famous poem "Kamala," written during this time, became a symbol of resistance.

- While imprisoned, Savarkar authored his seminal work, Hindutva: Who is a Hindu? In this book, he laid the foundations of the Hindutva ideology, advocating for the unity of Hindus based on common ancestry, culture, and religion. This concept later became a cornerstone for several right-wing nationalist movements in India.

Release and Role in the Independence Movement:

- After serving more than a decade in the Cellular Jail, Savarkar was released in 1924, though under strict surveillance and restrictions by the British authorities. His involvement in active revolutionary activities was curtailed due to these restrictions, but his contribution to the ideological development of Indian nationalism remained influential.

- Savarkar became the president of the Hindu Mahasabha in 1937 and championed the cause of Hindus, promoting the concept of Hindutva as a unifying cultural identity. His belief in armed struggle and assertive resistance distinguished him from many leaders of the Congress Party, who advocated non-violence.

Hindutva and Ideology:

- Savarkar’s ideology, termed Hindutva, was a blend of cultural nationalism and political vision for a strong, unified India led by Hindus. While not religious in the traditional sense, Hindutva advocated for the cultural dominance of Hindu values and identity.

- He envisioned India as a land where the Hindu civilization, its language, traditions, and historical continuity would dominate. Though controversial, his ideas gained traction among several nationalist groups during the later stages of the Indian independence movement.

Role in World War II and Post-Independence:

- During World War II, while the Congress Party opposed participation in the war, Savarkar supported the British war effort, hoping that it would later lead to military empowerment for Indians.

- After India's independence in 1947, Savarkar’s role became more controversial. He was accused of involvement in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948, although he was acquitted due to lack of evidence. Despite this, his reputation remained divisive, with supporters viewing him as a great nationalist, while detractors criticized his association with right-wing extremism.

Cultural Contributions:

- Apart from his political and revolutionary activities, Savarkar was a prolific writer, poet, and historian. His literary works, including plays, poems, and historical treatises, were aimed at instilling a sense of pride in India’s ancient culture and history.

- He also advocated for social reforms, particularly the abolition of untouchability, and pushed for modern education and women's empowerment, aligning his vision of India with progressive values.

Legacy:

- Veer Savarkar’s legacy remains complex and contested in Indian history. He is hailed as a freedom fighter and revolutionary by many, while his Hindutva ideology has been both celebrated and criticized for its exclusivity and divisive potential.

- Today, Savarkar is commemorated in various ways, including statues, public memorials, and institutions named in his honor. His ideas continue to shape political discourse in India, particularly among nationalist and right-wing groups.