Wednesday, 5 November 2014

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar also known as Swatantyraveer Savarkar was a Indian nationalist, pre-independence activist, fearless fighter, social reformer, writer, dramatist, poet, historian, political leader and philosopher.  He remains largely unknown to the masses because of the vicious propaganda against him and misunderstanding around him that has been created over several decades. Savarkar created term Hindutava and emphasized its distinctiveness from Hinduism which he associated with social and political communalism.

Founded the Abhinav Bharat Society and Free India Society, brought out an authentic informative researched work on "The Great Indian Revolt of 1857" also founded Hindu Sabha.Veer Savarkar occupies a unique place in the history of Indian freedom struggle.. His name evokes controversy. While some consider him as on of the greatest revolutionaries in the Indian freedom struggle. He was an extraordinary Hindu scholar. He coined Indian words for telephone, photography, the parliament and among others.

In Pune, Savarkar founded the "Abhinav Bharat Society". He was also involved in the Swadeshi movement and later joined Tilak's Swaraj Party. His instigating patriotic speeches and activities incensed the British Governemnt. As a result the British Government withdraw his B A degree. In June 1906, Veer Savarkar left for London to become Barrister. Once in London he united and inflamed the Indian students in England against Brtish rule in India. He founded the Free India Society. The Society celebrated important dates on the Indian calender including festivals, freedom movement landmarks and was dedicated to furthering discussion about Indian freedom. He believed and advocated the use of arms to free Indian from the British and created a network of Indians in England, equipped with weapons.

In 1909, Madanlal Dgingra, a keen follower of Savrkar shot Sir Wylie after a failed assassination attempt on the then Vioceroy, Lord Curzon. Savarkar conspicuously did not condemn the act. When the British Collector of Nashik, Jackson shot by a youth, Veer Savarkar finally fell under the of British authorities. He was implected in the murder citing his connections with India House. Savarkar was arrested in London on 13 March 1910 and sent to India. After a formal trial, Savarkar was charged with serious offences of illegal transportation of weapons, provocative speeches and sedition and was sentenced to 50 years of jail and deported to the Kalapani at Andaman cellular jail.

In 1920, many prominent freedom fighter including Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi, Vitthalbhai Patel demanded the release of Savarkar. On 21 May 1921 Savarkar was moved to Ratnagiri jail and from there to the Yervada jail. In Ratnagiri he wrote the book "Hindutva". On 6 January 1924 he was freed under the condtion that he would not leave Ratnagiri disttrict and absatain from political activity for the next five years. On 23 January 1924 he founded Hindu Mahasabha.

The Hindu Mahasabha opposed creation of Pakistan, and took expection to Gnadhi's continued Muslim appeasement stances. Nathuram Godase, a volunteer of Hindu Mahasabha assassinated in 1948 and upheld his actions till his haning. Veer Savarkar was arrested and indicted by the Government of India in the Mahatma Gandhi assassinated case. But he was acquitted by the Supreme Court of India, for reasons of lack of evidence. Veer Savarkar died on 26 February 1966 at the age of 96.

No comments:

Post a Comment