Vinayak Damodar Savarkar “Veer Savarkar”, a force related to Indian history and Indian freedom struggle, which some people consider as a hero, then there are some sections who have some objection to Veer Savarkar. But whether you believe in them or not, everyone will have to accept their influence in Indian history.
Before we talk about his contribution to Indian history, let us first know a little about him.
The great revolutionary Shri Veer Savarkar was born in Bhagur in the village of Nasik in 1883. Born in a normal family, Savarkar used to write poems along with reading and writing since childhood.
In 1902 he passed his matriculation examination and enrolled in B.A. at Fergusson College, Pune. Veer Savarkar started revolutionary activities from the time when neither Mahatma Gandhi was in India nor there was much talk of Subhas Chandra Bose.
In 1905, he lit Holi of foreign clothes in his own college as a protest against the partition of Bengal. After which he was expelled and fined Rs.10 in that time. And his articles were published in many magazines.
Savarkar was a great social reformer. Savarkar started the movement against untouchability before Babasaheb and Gandhi ji. Untouchability is one of the 7 prisoners who have surrounded the Hindu society.
Savarkar and the British rule
The British government considered Savarkar as its biggest enemy. The reason was also clear. After the revolt of 1857, the British established the Congress with the aim of eradicating any such revolution before it even started. He started groping the conscience of Indians on the pretext of Congress. And used the Congress for a direct dialogue between the British government and the people. But Savarkar was fully aware of this goal of the British.
He called the revolution of 1857, which was gradually being described as a sporadic military rebellion, as the first Indian freedom moment. In 1907, Veer Savarkar organized an event at India House in London to commemorate fifty years of the 1857 Revolution. And took this opportunity to the Indian public mind. He also wrote a book in 1857. He again instilled the feeling of patriotism in the Indian public mind.
Savarkar and the Cellular Jail
Savarkar was sent to the Cellular Jail in Andaman in 1911. It was nothing less than a hell. At that time when revolutionaries like Nehru ji and Gandhi ji were given special facilities in the jail by the British. They were given food of their choice. All means of contact with the outside world were given. Then only Savarkar was kept in that hell-like prison. It is obvious that the British government considered Savarkar as its biggest enemy.
In that prison, prisoners were kept in small rooms. There were fetters in the feet. Various types of torture were done. In a given time, 13.5 kg of mustard and coconut oil had to be extracted. And if that time limit was not met, he was beaten with whips. There was discrimination in prison. Food utensils were not clean. Half stomach food was available and some water. And this used to happen everyday. Savarkar endured all this for almost 10 years. But he did not lose courage.
Savarkar and mercy petition
At first it was not a plea for mercy. Today some people describe it as if Savarkar ji begged for mercy. From time to time, the British government used to make provision for mercy petition to free the prisoners in jails. It was a completely legal process. This mercy petition had a definite format.
Today some people have problem with its language that they had begged for mercy. But if you petition for mercy from any government or court, then you have to choose the same language. Even today we choose words like My Lord or Your Lordship in court. And you had to assure the present government of that time that you would not indulge in such activities in future.
Savarkar is not the first person who did this. When Nehru ji was imprisoned in Nabha jail, his father Motilal Nehru wrote a mercy petition to the governor that his son would not do such work in future and he would not even enter the border of Nabha again.
Shripad Amrit Dange, the founder of the CPI party, was also suffering from him in the Cellular Jail. He also wrote a mercy petition to the Governor General of India and chose words like your obedient servant in it.
So it does not mean that all those who filed mercy petition became slaves of the British. It was just a way to get out of there. Because it is better to do something for the country by coming out of jail than destroying your life by being imprisoned.
Savarkar was called Bada Babu by his companions in jail. Because he had come from London to study and was very educated and intelligent. He did not petition only for himself but did it for all along with him. He was the voice of those people and was working to free them from jail.
In a petition, he has also said that if you free me, I will be equally happy. And every time he and his brother were not released.
Savarkar after release
Many leftist historians say that there was a change in Savarkar after his release from jail. He was not active in the freedom movement and some people even talk of supporting him with the British. So let’s talk about this aspect. After his release from prison in 1924, Savarkar was placed under house arrest.
The British suspected that he had access to the revolutionaries and that he could again revolt against the government. He remained under house arrest till 1937. But he was constantly in touch with the revolutionaries and kept guiding them. And there is historical evidence for this.
In 1937, when the Congres formed the government, the ban on Savarkar was lifted. And at this time no such major national movement was going on. At that time Gandhiji was only holding the Round Table Conference.
Gandhiji started the Quit India Movement in 1942. However, the Congress President of that time also opposed it saying that it was done without any prior plan. Many people of Congress raised questions on the plan of this movement. However, within 3 months, Gandhiji withdrew this movement.
Savarkar and Congress
Savarkar was opposed to some policies of the Congress. Whether it is about the revolution of 1857 or the Muslim appeasement of Gandhiji. Savarkar supported the unity of the country. Many people including Gandhiji, Subhash Chandra Bose urged him to join the Congress, which he did not accept.
Savarkar and Netaji
Savarkar had a deep influence on Netaji. There was a meeting between Netaji and Savarkarji on 22 June 1940 and it lasted for more than 3 hours. In this, Savarkar suggested to Netaji that he should go out of the country and form an army and from there try for the independence of the country.
Netaji writes in one of his letters that –
“When every Congress leader is condemning the soldiers of Azad Hind Fauj as mercenary soldiers due to political misguidedness and lack of foresight, it gives immense pleasure to know that Veer Savarkar is fearlessly encouraging Indian youth to join the army. are constantly sending for.”
Savarkar and Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhiji called Savarkar brother. On the death of Savarkar’s brother, Gandhi wrote a letter to Savarkar and in that letter he consoled Savarkar by calling him his brother.
“Brother Savarkar, I am writing this after reading the news of your brother’s death. I did a little bit for his release and I’ve been interested in him ever since. Where do you need to console? We ourselves are in the jaws of death. I hope his family is fine. Yours, M.K. Gandhi”
Shaheed Bhagat Singh about Savrkar
Bhagat Singh said about Savarkar “He who loves this world is brave, whom we are not ashamed to call a fierce rebel and a staunch anarchist – this is Veer (brave) Savarkar”
Indira Gandhi about veer Savarkar
Indira Gandhi had issued a postage stamp for Savarkar. She addressed Savarkar as the Remarkable Son of India. I have received your letter dated 8 May 1980. Veer Savarkar’s courageous defiance of the British Government has its importance in the history of our freedom movement. I wish success to the plan to celebrate the birth centenary of the remarkable son of India.”
Today, even for some political reasons, some people are spreading wrong information about Savarkar. But Veer Savarkar will remain brave and his great legacy will continue to explain the importance of valor and freedom to the generations to come.
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