Swatantra Veer Savarkar

I watched the movie Swatantra Veer Savarkar with the entire team of Aarsha Vidya Samajam’s full-time workers and students. It is a wonderful must-watch movie for all those who want to know the true history of India.

Anand Pandit, Sam Khan, Yogesh Rahar, and Sandeep Singh have displayed their good-intentions and nationalism by producing this movie.

The story and screenplay have been written beautifully by Utkarsh Naithani.

But it is best to describe this as a Randeep Hooda movie. Randeep Hooda has created a new history in Bollywood by co-writing the story, screenplay, and dialogues, co-producing the movie, directing it brilliantly, and literally bringing Savarkar to life by getting into the character in the movie. His acting is worthy of a national award. Kudos to all the other actors and crew of the movie as well.

I would like to consider this movie as a tribute to Veer Savarkar and atonement to the wrongs we have done to him. He was mercilessly attacked by foreigners and Indians alike. Even today, some people are committing great unforgivable crimes against this brave patriot.

Savarkar – a controversial hero

Savarkar has always been a controversial figure. He is present in the thoughts and debates of people, as a hero to some and a villain to others, not only during his lifetime but continues to be even 58 years after his death. A certain section of people want to conceal and distort his contributions. Some people have sought evil pleasure by accusing and maligning him. “Coward, bootlicker, apologizer, murderer of Gandhi, communalist” – such were the allegations! This is what we have given in return to the great soul who dedicated an entire human lifetime as an offering to his motherland! Even in Independent India, Goebbelsian propaganda of lies and heinous character assassination are being waged against the greatest and bravest patriot the country has ever seen, misleading even those who want to know the truth. This is the misfortune of our nation!

Getting to know Savarkar:

Who was Savarakar? How impactful were Savarkar’s ideas and actions in winning India’s independence? In addition to his own, what are the contributions of the individuals and movements he inspired that steered the course of the struggle for freedom? What were his contributions in creating a people with national consciousness, even after India gained independence. These are a wide range of subjects that demand intensive research. I will try to keep it as short as possible!

Sri Vinayak Damodar Savarkar aka Veer Savarakar, hailed as the ‘Prince of Revolutionaries’ was a rare personality who made priceless contributions to the world as an unblemished patriot, an uncompromising freedom fighter, an inspiration to countless nationalist insurgents including Bhagat Singh and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, an architect of armed revolution who learned the formula of bomb-making of the Russian revolutionaries in Paris and taught it to the Indian freedom fighters by translating it into Hindi, the first nationalist historian to properly assess Indian history, a visionary political strategist and mentor, a pragmatic social crusader, a rationalist religious reformer, a renaissance hero, a writer, a poet, a lingual reformer. There is perhaps no other brave leader who inspired the nationalists so deeply, both before and after independence. He was a historian with nationalist view,who advised us to learn lessons from the past, and devise strategies for the future, and to approach the problems of the present practically and rationally. Savarkar was a scholar who made brilliant contributions to the revival of the nation. He was the first political thinker to put forward a clear vision of Hindu Rashtra which was equally inclusive of all sections. It was Savarkar who gave a systematic form to the concept of Hindu nationalism which was raised by Swami Vivekananda, Dayananda Saraswati, Maharshi Aravinda and others. Therefore, it can be said that, as a philosopher, Veer Savarkar is the originator of the concept of Hindu nationalism which inspired not only the Hindu Mahasabha but also the Sangh Parivar movements. All of us are aware of the influence of organizations like RSS and BJP across India and the world today. There is an indirect effect of “Savarkar influence” behind all this. The personality who went on to be described as not merely a multi-faceted personality but a ‘phenomenon’.

As a Revolutionary:

Born on 28th May 1983 in Nashik, Maharashtra, Vinayak Savarkar, nicknamed Tatya, took a fierce vow at a young age of 15, to fight until death to save India from British imperialism. On 1st January 1901, at the age of 17, he formed a secret revolutionary organization called Mitra Mela. At the age of 20, he founded Abhinav Bharat in May 1904. Abhinav Bharat is a movement that has molded many revolutionaries in India and abroad. He endured many hardships to strengthen the activities of Abhinav Bharat. Savarkar was the first to declare in India and abroad that what India needs is unconditional freedom. He led the agitation against the partition of Bengal. He is the leader of awakening people to the Swadeshi movement as a powerful weapon in the freedom struggle. He was the freedom fighter who bravely called for and carried out the burning of foreign clothes for the first time in India (November 1905). Savarkar was the first student to be expelled from the college hostel which was run with the aid of the British government, for working in favour of Indian nationalism. The Fergusson college authorities fined him Rs 10 and removed him from the hostel. Yet, he continued his studies and graduated with first class.

While pursuing Law studies in Bombay, he wrote many patriotic articles in newspapers. In June 1906, he went to England to study law for a more effective and intensive struggle for freedom. The supreme organizer Savarkar was successful in building a strong overseas team. Savarkar was also the first person to raise the issue of Indian independence on the international stage through Madame Cama.

The 50th anniversary (1907) of the First War of Independence in 1857 was celebrated abroad under the leadership of Savarkar. He was the first freedom fighter who organized revolutionary activities on the very land of the enemy! A meeting was held at India House, ignoring the poisonous propaganda of the press. Many pamphlets, poems, articles – only one man behind them or leading them – Savarkar!

Described as a “dangerous revolutionary”, Savarkar was also the student who faced the injustice of having his barrister degree revoked. He was the first Indian to be denied his degree for his participation in the freedom struggle. Although he passed the bar exam in May 1909, he had to take an oath of solidarity with the British Empire in order to be allowed to practice as a lawyer. He refused it. (Remember that many prominent freedom fighters became barristers by taking this oath!)

On 24th October 1909, he organized Vijayadashami celebrations in London. Mahatma Gandhi presided over the meeting. It was Savarkar who designed and hoisted the earliest version of the national flag, a quarter of a century before the present tricolor was born. At his suggestion, this first Vande Mataram flag of India was presented by Madame Cama at the World Socialist Conference held in Germany on 2nd August 1909. On 13th March 1910, he was arrested in London while returning from Paris. This is Savarkar before his 27 years of prison life!

As a writer:

Apart from the many poems, pamphlets and essays inflaming patriotism and revolutionary fervour, his major contribution were the books he wrote that inspired the fight for freedom. “Joseph Mazzini” was Savarkar’s first book in 1907 at the age of 24. This biography of Italian patriot Mazzini (1805-1842) inspired many freedom fighters. The book was immediately banned by the British. He is also credited for being the first to rewrite the national history which was distorted by the imperialist powers. Savarkar’s book “The Indian War of Independence 1857” was the first national history book written from an Indian perspective. He wrote this second book at the age of twenty-five (1908). History of the Sikhs, Hindu Pad Padashahi or A Critical Review of the Hindu Empire of Maharashtra, Moplah, Hindutva, Hindu Rashtra Darshan, My transportation for life are some of his other works. Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History was his last work at the age of 80. The Indian War of Independence 1857 is a book that describes the uprising in 1857 as a freedom struggle which was dismissed by the British colonialists as a ‘Sepoy Mutiny’. The writing, translation, publication and circulation of this book, which was prepared by researching official documents available in the libraries of London, are bright chapters in the history of India’s freedom struggle. It can also be described as a work that awakened and gave direction to agitations against the British all over India . It was also a book banned by Britain even before it was published. The book was banned in Britain and India. He smuggled out handwritten copies of the books without being caught by Scotland Yard. An English translation was prepared in France and Germany, printed secretly in Holland, and circulated through secret networks in India, America, Canada, and China. Presenting logical arguments with sufficient evidence, this work became the inspiration of patriots and revolutionaries, including Bhagat Singh, and the textbook of the INA. This is a great book that inspires everyone in the domain of freedom struggle (the moderate Gokhale nationalists, and the extremist Tilak revolutionaries) alike. Many are talking about the importance of this movement even today. History has it that it was this revolution and the secret reports that followed it that prompted the British authorities to create the ‘safety valve,’ ie, Indian National Congress. But many people still turn their backs to the sufferings Savarkar and his family had to endure, for writing this first book that proved that the 1857 revolt was not just a Sepoy Mutiny, but a war for independence. Veer Savarkar’s elder brother Ganesh Rao Savarkar was exiled to the Andamans for publishing this book. He learned about his wife’s death while he was in prison only later. Their families were broken.

Cases, arrest, punishments, prison life – all had distinct features!

Savarkar, who had never killed a single person in his life, was sentenced to double life imprisonment by the British government accusing him of instigating murders. The punishing of Savarkar, who was in Britain, for the murder in Nashik at a time when communication systems had not developed, exposes the ridiculousness and cruel injustice of the British. Savarkar’s arrest by the British police after he escaped from a ship and swam to the coast of France became controversial and widely discussed. His arrest by British police in France was the first to be tried at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

He was also the leader who openly questioned the authority of the British Court of Justice. Savarkar was the first to be sentenced to double life imprisonment in British judicial history. Savarkar was the first prisoner to be exiled to the Andamans for half a century and the first political prisoner to be sentenced to fifty years of rigorous imprisonment. It is none other than this freedom fighter who suffered gruelling torture in the infamous Andaman prison, which is known as ‘Hell on earth’! He was the first Barrister and freedom fighter to be tied to an oil mill in the prison and forced to press oil like oxen.

Life in Jail:

Savarkar was a national rebel who spent more days in jail than Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi ji spent 2114 days over various terms. Savarkar spent 5045 days of torturous imprisonment for 14 years from 1910 to 1924 alone. That means 2931 days more than Gandhi! More than double the number of days ! Also remember that 11 of those 14 years were spent in the Andaman prison! Forget 11 years, those who don’t have the willpower to remain there for even 11 minutes are criticizing Savarkar!

Later from 1924 to 1937 (13 years) he was under house arrest in Ratnagiri. A total of 27 years in prison!

South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela’s twenty-six years in prison and his release in 1990 was widely discussed in India and the world. But Veer Savarkar has served more days in prison than Nelson Mandela.

Nelson Mandela was jailed in Robben Island from 1964 to 1982 (18 years), Pollsmoor prison from 1982 to 1988 (6 years), and in Victor Verster prison from 1988 to 1990 (2 years). 26 years in total.

Veer Savarkar was jailed in Andaman July 4, 1910 to May 1921 (11 years), from 1921 to 1924 in the Alipore and Yerwada jails (3 years), December 1924 to December 1937 under house arrest (13 years). So a total of 27 years!

In the eyes of the imperialists, Savarkar was always an enemy dangerous to their existence. But not only the British but also the Indians targeted him very cruelly. That is the sad reality! It is doubtful if there is another great soul who is so insulted even today.

Savarkar’s arrest created shock and national awakening for the freedom fighters. There were protests even outside India. Sir Henry Cotton – the founder of “New India” and President of the 1904 Bombay Congress placed a decorated portrait of Savarkar and praised him before the gathering. But what did some people in India do? Sir William Wedderburn, the President of the Congress conference that took place in Calcutta, and Surendranath Banerjee criticized Savarkar and Henry Cotton. “That rascal got what he deserved” – reported a Congress-affiliated English newspaper published in Bombay. This is just one evidence of the attitude people had about him when he was arrested! Following many protests, the Congress-led provincial government released him from house arrest in 1937. (Note that he was released by the nationalist provincial government and not the British Government). Even after his release from prison, not only the British but also the power-hungry compromising politicians continued to make malicious accusations against this great Tapasvi. He was arrested for the killing of Gandhi. The 65-year-old man, who was ill and frail after suffering severe torture in prisons including Andaman, was jailed as a suspect in the Gandhi assassination case in Independent India as well. In this case that was watched curiously by the whole world, there were faultless inquiries and head-scratching investigations. Despite his eventual acquittal, there was no dearth of accusations. On April 4, 1950, this 67 year-old man was arrested and detained on the occasion of the visit of Pakistani leader Liaquat Ali Khan to India. He was later released after widespread protests.

Even after he fasted to death in 1966, the character assassination continued. Giving up food and water is the highest stage of Satyagraha. With a sense of fulfillment at having done what he needed to, and that he won’t be able to do anything further, he wrote his final article titled ‘Atmahatya Nahi Atmaarpan’, he attained Upavasa Samadhi or Prayopavesha. Some people who called themselves ‘disciples of Gandhi’ tried to criticize it by labelling it as ‘cowardice’ and ‘suicide’. Yes, even the name Savarkar makes some people uncomfortable!

Even foreign revolutionary leaders – who massacred hundreds of thousands of innocents – occupy a place in textbooks too. There is a growing generation that hails such people as role models. Stalin, Mao,… the list goes on. Whereas Savarkar, the freedom fighter who made countless contributions to Motherland and the first nationalist historian, is still nowhere in the history books! It is clear why Savarkar is a pain for those who sing the praises of foreign invaders and separatists (Jinnah, Iqbal etc). There is no point in talking about Savarkar to those who enthusiastically praise organizations like ISIS, Taliban, Hezbollah, Hamas, those who glorify Osama bin Laden and Mullah Omar, and those who shed tears for Afzal Guru, Yakub Memon, and Ajmal Kasab.

But let’s just admit that this movie has managed to enlighten those who want to know the truth. Some Indians, both in the past and present, need to atone for the ingratitude and unforgivable cruelty shown on Savarkar. One should repay their debt to the Mahatmas, great souls (Aarsha Rinam) by promoting their life and message properly. Sanathana Dharma describes this as Aarsha Yajna or Brahma Yajna. The least we can do is, every patriot must promote this movie as much as possible.

Please note:

Four nationalist movies that must be watched and promoted by everyone have been released recently. I request you all to widely promote these movies.

I had written about the movies Article 370, Bastar: The Naxal Story, and Razakar: Silent Genocide of Hyderabad on Facebook. The links are given below:

Bastar Movie Review Malayalam

Bastar Movie Review English

Bastar Movie Review Hindi

Article 370 & Razakar Movie Reviews Malayalam https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1VgqPme4K1C3P6W9/?mibextid=qi2Omg

Article 370 & Razakar Movie Reviews English

Article 370 & Razakar Movie Reviews Hindi