There was a time when Bharat was politically, economically as well socially vulnerable and shattered during the time of British and in such an environment with unfulfilled aspirations, a pro-independence activist and a politician, a lawyer as well a volcanic writer, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was born in a Marathi Brahmin Hindu family on May 28th, 1883 in a village called Bhagur near Nasik, Maharashtra.
“If you wish, O Hindus, to prosper as a great and glorious Hindu nation under the sun and you well have a claim on it that state must be established under the Hindu Flag. This dream would be realised during this or coming generation. If it is not realised, I may be styled as a daydreamer, but if it comes true, I would stand forth as its prophet. I am bequeathing this legacy to you.”
The man who coined the term ‘Hindutva’ to establish a collective identity of Hindus as an ‘imagined nation’ and strongly emphasised the reconversion of the converted Hindus back to the Hindu religion. Savarkar in his book, ‘Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?’ describes Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism as one and refers the same as ‘self’, whereas the remaining ones (Christians and Muslims) as ‘other’. He promoted the idea of Hinduism as a political and a cultural identity and his vision of ‘Akhand Bharat’, stretches across the entire Indian subcontinent from the Indus to the Seas as his Holy Land.
“Their [Muslims and Christians] holy land is far off in Arabia and Palestine. Their mythology and Godman, ideas and heroes are not the children of the soil. Consequently, their names and their outlook smack of foreign origin. Their love is divided.”
Today, he is an icon among Hindus ideologies. Be it BJP, RSS, VHP or Sangh Parivar, all follow Savarkar blindly and consider him as a freedom fighter and a national hero. There are many Hindutvawadis who think that Savarkar’s contribution to the freedom struggle was no less than what Bhagat Singh did. Some even claim that the two terms ‘Swatantrya Veer’ and ‘Savarkar’ are inseparable like “a flower and its fragrance; the lamp and its light.” But is he really worthy of such praise and appreciation? Much has already been written against him to disapprove his stand. Well, it surely requires a close examination.
Questioning Savarkar’s Veerta?
History has witnessed instances when Savarkar’s association with the British was biased. He was also against Gandhi and the Indian National Congress who were the symbols of the national movement. While being jailed in Andaman between 1912 and 1921, he had pleaded for mercy petitions various times and agreed to work on the terms and conditions of the British which has been well recorded from his letters in the national archives.
“I hereby acknowledge that I had a fair trial and just sentence. I heartily abhor methods of violence resorted to in days gone by and I feel myself duty-bound to uphold law and constitution [British] to the best of my powers and am willing them to make the reform. [i.e; the Montague Chelmsford reforms of 1919 which did not satisfy the demands of the nationalist movement]” From Savarkar’s letter: Frontline, April 7, 1995.
Furthermore, on March 30, 1920, Savarkar states in his fourth mercy petition to the British Government about assuring to abide by the prescribed rules and regulations and advocate British policies just so to let him free. He can be clearly seen using slavish language in his letters.
In 1920, Gandhi wrote about Savarkar’s inclination to the British that, “They [the Savarkar brothers] both state unequivocally that they do not desire independence from the British connection. On the contrary, they feel that India’s destiny can be best worked out in association with the British.”
Thus, it becomes evident from the letters of Savarkar about him being a not so great revolutionary freedom fighter as he surrenders to barter his own personal freedom over the country’s independence. This act alone suffices the claim to liquidate all the heroic feats attributed to him by his contemporary bhakts.
Savarkar today
In order to commemorate Savarkar, Shiv Sena wanted to nominate his name for the prestigious Bharat-Ratna. In the year 2001, a movie presenting Savarkar as a great freedom fighter was also released. Port Blair Airport in Andaman is also remembered as Veer Savarkar Airport. Moreover, he also seems to be a sponsored figure in many school text books as well.
The militant Hindutva ideology, with power in the Centre, has been dominating todays Indian political and religious scenario. History is being re-written. The memories of collective struggle for independence are forced to be forgotten and the true and towering personalities who were indulged in nation building are being replaced by the dwarfs and cowards. Many others who are part of todays ministry have been schooled in the same ideology. Savarkar believed in militarised India and same is being made sure that Indias nuclear and missile policies go ahead without a break and check. Bharat is being saffronised.
Nevertheless, we must trust the generation we belong to who dont hesitate in questioning every conventional assumption and defy the stereotypes. Savarkar cannot be a hero for any true patriotic citizen who values secularism and pluralistic culture of India. We cannot completely deny Savarkars contribution to the national struggle in his early years but on no account we should be forced to follow and accept his ideology. Let those who admire him as their iconic figure but we cant accept to legitimise the fascist doctrine to strike the root of Indias secularism and destroy the cultural diversity of India.
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