Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, popularly known as Veer Savarkar, remains one of the most influential figures in India’s struggle for independence. A fierce nationalist, a staunch advocate of Hindutva, and a revolutionary thinker, Veer Savarkar played a pivotal role in shaping India’s freedom movement. However, his legacy has often been misrepresented by leftist historians and political opponents who attempt to diminish his contributions. It is high time to highlight Veer Savarkar’s unparalleled sacrifices and debunk the myths propagated against him.
Born on May 28, 1883, in Nasik, Maharashtra, Savarkar exhibited nationalist fervor from an early age. While still a student, he organized protests against British rule, including the famous 1905 bonfire of foreign goods in Pune, as part of the anti-partition movement initiated by Bal Gangadhar Tilak. He went on to establish Abhinav Bharat Society, a secret revolutionary organization, alongside his brother Ganesh Savarkar, with the aim of overthrowing British rule through armed resistance.
Savarkar’s influence extended beyond India. While studying in London, he inspired young revolutionaries and played a key role in the assassination of British official Lt. Col. William Curzon-Wyllie by Madan Lal Dhingra in 1909. His involvement in revolutionary activities led to his arrest and eventual deportation to India. In the infamous Nasik Conspiracy Case, he was sentenced to two life terms (50 years) and transported to the Andaman Cellular Jail (Kala Pani), where he endured inhumane conditions, including six months of solitary confinement and forced labor.
Veer Savarkar’s Contributions to India’s Freedom Struggle
Despite being imprisoned, Savarkar’s influence did not wane. He continued writing extensively, including his seminal book The Indian War of Independence – 1857, which reinterpreted the Revolt of 1857 as the first war of Indian independence rather than a mere sepoy mutiny. This book inspired numerous revolutionaries, including Bhagat Singh, Rash Behari Bose, and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. In fact, Bhagat Singh made it mandatory for new recruits in the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) to read Savarkar’s book before joining the movement.
Savarkar later played a strategic role in influencing young Indians to join the British army, with the long-term goal of creating an internal rebellion similar to the 1857 uprising. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose acknowledged this contribution in a 1945 radio broadcast, crediting Savarkar for inspiring many young men who later defected to the Indian National Army (INA) to fight against British rule.
Debunking the Myths Surrounding Savarkar
Myth 1: Savarkar Had No Role in the Freedom Struggle
One of the most absurd claims made by leftist historians is that Savarkar had no role in India’s independence. The reality is quite the opposite. Savarkar was among the first to call for complete independence from British rule, long before the Congress adopted the idea of Purna Swaraj in 1930.
Myth 2: Savarkar Wrote Mercy Petitions to Escape Jail
A widely propagated myth is that Savarkar wrote mercy petitions to the British to secure his release. What is deliberately ignored is that Mahatma Gandhi himself advised Savarkar’s brother, Narayanrao, to appeal for his release. On January 17, 1920, Narayanrao wrote to Gandhi, seeking his intervention. Gandhi responded by writing an article in Young India on May 26, 1920, advocating Savarkar’s release.
It is important to understand that these petitions were a legal strategy rather than an admission of guilt. The British often encouraged political prisoners to file petitions as part of their legal framework. Furthermore, Savarkar’s release from Kala Pani in 1924 did not mean he abandoned the struggle for independence; rather, he was placed under strict surveillance and continued his fight in different capacities.
Myth 3: Savarkar Was Against Bhagat Singh and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
Contrary to claims by leftist historians, Savarkar had immense respect for revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh and Netaji Bose. He supported their cause and strategies for India’s liberation. Netaji himself acknowledged Savarkar’s role in enlisting young Indians into the British Indian Army with the intent of later defecting to the Indian National Army (INA).
Also Read: The Netaji-Savarkar Summit: A Spark for India’s Path to Sovereignty
Furthermore, former HSRA member and Congressman Durga Das Khanna, in an interview recorded by the Nehru Memorial Library, revealed that Bhagat Singh drew great inspiration from Savarkar. Khanna stated that reading The Indian War of Independence – 1857 was a prerequisite for joining the HSRA, further cementing the ideological bond between Savarkar and Bhagat Singh.
Myth 4: Savarkar Supported the Partition of India
Another misconception spread by leftist historians is that Savarkar was in favor of India’s partition. This is blatantly false. In fact, the Hindu Mahasabha, under Savarkar’s leadership, was the only major political organization that consistently opposed the partition. While the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League negotiated the partition, Savarkar vocally opposed it, warning of the disastrous consequences it would have for the subcontinent.
Myth 5: Savarkar Asked Indians to Join the British Army as a Sign of Loyalty
One of the most persistent myths spread by Savarkar’s detractors is that he urged Indian youth to join the British Army out of loyalty to the British Empire. This claim is a deliberate distortion of historical facts. Savarkar’s call for Indians to enlist in the British Army during World War II was a strategic move aimed at equipping Indian soldiers with military training, which he believed would later be used against the British. His vision was to replicate the 1857 uprising by creating a force of trained revolutionaries within the British ranks.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose himself acknowledged this strategy in a 1945 radio broadcast, crediting Savarkar for the influx of Indian soldiers into the Indian National Army (INA), who later defected to fight against the British. Thus, far from being an act of collaboration, Savarkar’s approach was a well-thought-out maneuver to subvert British rule from within.
Savarkar’s Social Reforms and Hindutva Philosophy
Apart from his revolutionary activities, Veer Savarkar was a strong advocate for social reforms within Hindu society. He opposed caste discrimination and fought for the rights of the so-called untouchables. His call for pan-Hindu unity was a direct challenge to the British strategy of divide and rule. His definition of Hindutva was not religious fundamentalism but a nationalistic ideology that sought to strengthen India’s cultural identity.
Indira Gandhi’s Tribute to Savarkar
It is ironic that today’s Congress leaders mock Savarkar when former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi held him in high regard. In 1966, after Savarkar’s death, Indira Gandhi described him as a great freedom fighter and symbol of patriotism and courage. She even had a commemorative stamp issued in his honor and established a fund in his name.
Veer Savarkar was a revolutionary, an intellectual, and a social reformer who dedicated his life to India’s freedom. His contributions to the independence movement and his role in shaping nationalist thought remain undeniable. The false narratives spread by leftist historians and political opponents seek to tarnish his legacy, but historical facts remain on his side. From his revolutionary writings to his relentless struggle against colonial rule, Savarkar’s impact on India’s history is undeniable.
The attempts to distort his contributions must be countered with facts and evidence. Veer Savarkar remains an immortal icon of India’s struggle for independence, and his vision for a united, self-reliant nation continues to inspire millions. His fearless patriotism, unyielding resilience, and deep love for Bharat Mata make him a true hero who deserves respect, not ridicule.
