This excerpt from ‘Gandhi: The years that changed the world 1914-1948’ by Ramachandra Guha tells the story of the Mahatma in the months leading up to Partition.
We are a country where you will find followers of Gandhi and Godse living together, as do admirers of Hitler and Stalin. However, this perception of India is fast changing.
A perusal of Congress party documents shows that despite Gandhiji having made his choice known, 12 of 15 state committees nominated Patel for party president.
SEBI probe concluded that purported loans and fund transfers were paid back in full and did not amount to deceptive market practices or unreported related party transactions.
Many really smart people now share the position that playing cricket with Pakistan is politically, strategically and morally wrong. It is just a poor appreciation of competitive sport.
No Patriot/Nationalist will call our enemy British as his father.Forget about taking pensions or writing mercy petitions.
A purest Antinational this suwarkar was.
Total rubbish nonsense without any any facts. Writer seem paid stooge of RSS.
Savakar was without doubt communal bigot ; anti national coward and British stooge.
The “lovers” the ” brotherhooders'” and the ” confused “that stubbornly fail to soak in the evergreen, all pervasive all encompassing culture of those fortunate to be born in this land will never acknowledge the truth of the value of souls like Savarkar. And their service. Good to see Media is drawing attention to truth with pramaaNas for a change , whatever be their intention or inspiration
It’s disgusting to find Port Blair airport named after a turncoat. Yes he was a revolutionary before arrest. But was a British stooge after release following the mercy petition. He then pulled up his socks to prevent the success of Netaji when his forces were at our doorstep.
It is not surprising that ill-read leprechauns like you accuse him of being a turncoat.
In none of his petitions did he apologize. Did you really care to read the article?
Nevertheless he promised wholesale cooperation with the British Government, any which way the British Government wants him to do. And that’s enough for him to qualify as a British stooge.
Wow, the words you use.! ‘Propensity’, “Ostensibly’, “Percipient”……Alas, to no avail! Because, no matter how hard you project yourself as a well-read, intelligent/ intellectual, it’s evident that you’re so full of shit! Either you blindly believe in all the lies you’ve read/been fed or you belong to the breed of hardcore manuvadi who are evil to the core.
Did you, you ‘well-read’ leper?
Netaji himself had applauded Savarkar’s war efforts on Azad Hind radio , 25 June 1945. So do some reading.
Blatant lie. Actually Savarkar was helping British by recruiting soldiers from India to fight against Netaji led INA.
Lol Savarkar knew what was coming (Partition) he encouraged Hindus to enroll in mass which eventually did helped Indian during 1947 when Netaji”s chief of staff Habib ur Rahman betrayed and helped Pakistan in first Kashmir war bcoz of which we lost Bhimber from the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
The comparison of Nehru with Savarkar is a false one. Savarkar should be compared with the so many Bengali revolutionaries who did not write mercy petitions and perished in the prison. Better yet compare them with the ones who survived long enough to see the cellular prison shut down and lived long enough to see independent India and yet remained unknown whereas the ‘veer’ who wrote mercy petitions one after another had the airport of Andaman and Nicobar Islands named after him.
That precisely was the argument. He did not want to die unknown and without any further contribution. Hence, upon release he focussed on the socio-cultural-religious paradigms. His ideas created the biggest political chasm in contemporary India.
He knew that Congress was the preferred interlocutors for the British and they would not be open to any kind of reasoning or negotiations from any other quarter.
Those with a propensity to ride on the ostensibly noble steed of extreme idealism, may well want Savarkar to have somehow endured five decades of horrendous imprisonment, out of a misplaced sense of heroism along the lines of, “he did not break down! He suffered and did not bow before the mighty British!”
Often, the line demarcating idealism from inanity is thin, and extreme idealism quite erases the same. What would the productivity of such a prisoner be? Is such an intelligent, well-educated and well-read prisoner not more resourceful outside the prison? Is any such legal approach to securing release from prison, therefore, not ethically valid in the larger scheme of things?
Savarkar was a very practical man. He had no qualms in making use of his percipient legal knowledge to secure his release, for he was verily much more resourceful without. Yet, he made it unambiguous that he would have equally been content with the release of the rest while his own being withheld. If this is not evidence of self-sacrifice, what is?
People who r criticizing Great Savarkar, should be given practical lessons of Indian Police 2nd degree Punishments. They will become it’s puppets. Savarkar gave his luxurious life in England for the freedom of India. He got 3 rd degrees brutal punishments by british Police. His mercy petition was like Shivaji escape from Aurangzeb’s court. Savarkar wanted to fight secretly. What was the logic of ending life in Prison. Leftist, congress, fake secularist & minority bigots are real traitors. Savarkar will always remain Nations pride.
“Naturally, Savarkar appealed against this injustice through his petition dated 20 March 1920. In none of these petitions does he ever say he was apologetic of his revolutionary past.”
Sorry, then what is to be construed of these sentences in his petitions:
Savarkar submitted his next mercy petition on 14 November 1913, and presented it personally to the Home Member of the Governor General’s council, Sir Reginald Craddock.[27] In his letter, asking for forgiveness, he described himself as a “prodigal son” longing to return to the “parental doors of the government”. He wrote that his release from the jail will recast the faith of many Indians in the British rule. Also, he said “Moreover, my conversion to the constitutional line would bring back all those misled young men in India and abroad who were once looking up to me as their guide. I am ready to serve the government in any capacity they like, for as my conversion is conscientious so I hope my future conduct would be. By keeping me in jail, nothing can be got in comparison to what would be otherwise.”[28]
In the view of Royal proclamation, Savarkar submitted his fourth mercy petition to the British Government on 30 March 1920.[26]:pg.472–476
In which he stated that “So far from believing in the militant school of the Bukanin type, I do not contribute even to the peaceful and philosophical anarchism of a Kuropatkin [sic.] or a Tolstoy. And as to my revolutionary tendencies in the past:- it is not only now for the object of sharing the clemency but years before this have I informed of and written to the Government in my petitions (1918, 1914) about my firm intention to abide by the constitution and stand by it as soon as a beginning was made to frame it by Mr Montagu. Since that the Reforms and then the Proclamation have only confirmed me in my views and recently I have publicly avowed my faith in and readiness to stand by the side of orderly and constitutional development.”[
I fail to comprehend the reason behind your sense of surprise at this article. Do you really expect Savarkar to write something to the effect of, “I assure the mighty British Government that I shall, after my release, resume my revolutionary activities.”
Is it not but natural for him to assure the British by writing such words as may indicate his willingness to partake in the process of constitutional reforms?
Is ThePrint and the writer Sampath, a Right Wing magazine for the right wing historian to peddle historical fiction as historical facts? What did Savarkar do after getting out of the prison to help his co- prisoners, so that they too see the light of freedom? The prisoners who applied with Savarkar were all upper caste people. Did Savarkar, if he was a barrister worth his salt, file a petition with the British govt to plead/ fight on behalf of the other prisoners? Oil press mill, looks like a cock and bull story ! British respected the educated, otherwise Bhagat Singh would not have been allowed access to books ! What did other prisoners say or write about Savarkar? What is dished out by these historians is good for RSS shakhas and for distorting history and historical facts, but not for scholarship !
In 1917, Savarkar submitted another mercy petition, this time for a general amnesty of all political prisoners. Savarkar was informed on 1 February 1918 that the mercy petition was placed before the British Indian Government.
Is Sampat , a historian from the right-wing ideology , who wants to rescue Savarkar, from the taint of having cringed before the British to escape the rigours of prison? All those who applied to the British for release from the prison were upper caste people! After his release, if Savarkar was a competent barrister, if at all he was, what did he do to help to rescue the other contemporary prisoners? Did he petition the then govt on their behalf? This Historian, should have should have enlightened us, who the other prisoners were, their names, and what those prisoners thought of Savarkar ! General sweeping narrative doesn’t work, it will work in the shakhas of the RSS and right- wing conclave where they would like to eulogize Hindutva and Muslims bashing. Whether he did work on the oil press mill , is doubtful? British respected the educated prisoners, otherwise Bhagat Singh having attempted to kill the British officer would not have got books to read in prison! So, cock and bull stories can’t and should not be allowed to pass as historical facts, it can be allowed in the case of historical fiction novel !
Mr. Omkar Singh, you seem to know a lot about what other prisoners had to say about Savarkar… so kindly share your knowledge. By the way there are records of how prisoners released from Andaman came back with poems written by Savarkar and inspiring thoughts imparted by him. Your problem seems to be more about upper caste. If so, you really need to check the work done by Savarkar to abolish casteism. Also check his social work – actual records- in Ratnagiri. Get your facts right before voicing your opinions. It wasn’t Savarkar who cringed before the British. Your Congress Netas – the Nehru-Gandhi duo, not just cringed, they swore allegiance and bootlicked them ( 1914, 1942 – check historical records for these years). Thats alright for brainwashed people like you. But a tact to get out of prison in order to continue with freedom struggle is blown out proportion as “cringed before the British”. You actually wrote “ whether he worked in oil mills is doubtful” ??? Seriously dude… someone should make you go through kaala pani so that you experience the luxuries Savarkar got!!
but after that tactical ploy ? I do not recollect him doing anything for the freedom struggle.
About caste is a different topic.
Great ! Rightly said ! To belittle a revolutionary who has a great role in getting independence is depravity ! The Congress painted all the revolutionaries and INA soldiers as Hindu bigots or British stooges, since , if truth is out , their powers/ importance is lost !
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi go about the election campaign as if they are legitimate rulers of this country !
At last comes some recognition to Netaji / Savarkar/Lal , Bal ,Pal
JAIHIND !
It is intellectual poverty of the nation that some can raise doubts about the intentions and sufferings of a great revolutionary like Savarkar. In many other countries, he would have been worshipped by all countrymen.
Very insightful article. Many savarkar byters may not like the argument you made. But the truth will prevail that savarkar certainly wrote so called mercy petitions with a stratagic approach, which British recognized, but Nehru bhakt are reluctant to accept the fact.
Those who are point blank trying to castrate contribution and sacrifices made by Savarkar are low piece of life as they are ignorant of the cause for which he gave his entire life. Now about petitions so what the fuss, should he been rotten in Kala Pani and die. On the other hand people have selective amsenisa as one man’s terrorist is another’s martyr. Savarkar had a terrible life and I am certain he might have mistaken on some aspects but does it give us carde blanche authority to demonize him and forget his contributions and had we been in his shoes at that point in time we could have done what’s best at that point in time and it needs no scrutiny because its not always about scrutiny and criticism and lastly who is without the sin cast the first stone and see are we without the seen for which I am certain we are not.
Kind of hardship a learned barrister and son of soil Savarkar got being a political prisoner for the same crimeNehru did, if even 10% of the hardship would have gotten to Nehru or Gandhi they would have written letter and converted the very next day, Savarkar endured it for 11 years. Its change of tactics. Savarkar remained a national movement hero after his release. In 1946 he asked Indian soldiers in British army to revolt as British dominion is about to go and if they fire at Indians it will be considered murders and this scared theBbritish if such revolt happen again as mentioned by Claimant Aitlee. British were not worried about Nehru as he is anyway British stooge and chamcha so given all amenities during token arrest and prison compared to what Savarkar gone through and yet this Pappu and other shameless Congressi tarnishing a national hero for few votes …
People hate Savarkar because of 2 reasons 1) he was brahmin 2) he was champion of Hindutva cause. They refuse to acknowledge that he was a great visionary. He asked hindus to join military so that they can save hindus when country becomes independent. And as far as non participation in quit india movement is concerned, even Ambedkar opposed this movement. But he became hero and Savarkar is vilified
All the days, congress written the Indian History. In my childhood, we read about Ghajani& Ghouri but today you will not find in History books. Even we use to have Ramayana, MahaBharata lessons in our books. Nehru Congress implemented five year plans to remove these in a phased manner. Why I mentioned all the above is,the remarks passed by Rahul against savarkars integraty is to be condemned.
Rahul is 46 years aged and unmarried but not matured mentally.
Once upon a time, we use to hear the jokes on Sardarjis.
Now even congress cadre is cutting jokes against heir boss.
It is most unfortunate to congress to elect him as their leader, It’s proved beyond doubt that others in the congress are more inferred than this president.
Otherwise any other would have been selected.
Poor congress , it may not raise again to a ruling stage.
Two things.
1) if you actually attended a normal school instead of RSS run Hindutva Madressa…you would have come across history spanning from Indus valley civilization to Mauryas to Gupta’s to Turks to Mughals to Independence history, like I had.
2) If Rahul is useless and if his own party members are making fun of him then you should be happy, considering you aren’t a Congress supporter. Why are you in so much of pain?
Vande Mataram
Veer Savarkar was a great freedom fighter and his legacy will live for ever. The Government should recognize his sacrifices and make sure his legacy is not forgotten or maligned by some frustrated anti nationals.
Congress talks of dissent and all inclusion but can not give due respect to political opposition leaders who have done service to the country. So in that sense congress is very fanatic. One should not have black or white thinking when it comes to history. One may differ in views about Savarkar’s actions but portraying him as a villain is too much. So currently congress says it is all inclusive but it unnecessarily abuses Savarkar or Golwalkar or Hedgewar. At the same time, BJP creates tallest statue of congress leader Sardar Patel ( who had banned RSS) and Mohan Bhagwat accepts contribution of congress openly. If you look at this contrast, you can ask the question-who really is more inclusive?Congress or the BJP?
What truth do you refer to, O leprechaun? Is your knowledge of truth better than that of a historian who, in order to reinforce his points, has quoted archival material in his book?
The author says that he feels disturbed as a historian when national heroes are vilified for petty political reasons then his blood must be boiling whenever Mr Modi sings songs in praise of Nehru and other historical figures.
Either you are an idiot or a complete brainwashed, answer to the questions, how will you do anything for your revolution without freeing up from the jail and how would you do that, without signing a mercy petition
A mercy petition is just signed, don’t you break the promises, so what makes you think he can’t.
Surely, it was the only way to get relief, once freed, will betray the British and will again start to work against them with several other revolutionaries.
It is strange that any discussion or writing about Veer Savarkar tends to be one-sided. This article shows the positive side. The great man had the other side as well. Don’t we all? I am not seeing a balanced view. Actually, Savakar, Hedgewar, Godse, Bose, the many Sanghi ideologue etc., had a few things in common. 1. Theu had no faith in ahimsa. 2. They didn’t believe in the concept of reconciliation, be it wrt Hindu-Muslim amity; gradual and negotiated transition to self-governance 3. Patriotism was inevitably a component of nzyionslidm to them. 4. Lastly, their concerns were not influenced by economic factors. This alt-view is the current guiding philosophy of many now.
“Please read this (totally unbiased, i swear) article that highlights parts of history which suit my narrative”
Thank you so much for the link on Takle’s article on Savarkar ! Great man, keep showing the mirror to the one dimensional casteist mind people who have tried to propagate historical fiction as facts of history !! Good bless the courageous !!
I am surprised to read this piece of lies. May I ask why did Sawarkar opposed quite India movement. When Gandhiji appealed all Govt. Officers to quite their jobs and join freedom movement, Sawarkar organised recruitment camps and hundreds of hindutva workers participated in these camps.
Sawarkar had explicitly given assurance in his mercy petition that he would not support freedom movement and that he would remain loyal to British rule.
He wrote seven mercy petitions but in non of these petition did he mention the plight of other prisoners nor did he ask to release other prisoners along with him.
In 1917, Savarkar submitted another mercy petition, this time for a general amnesty of all political prisoners. Savarkar was informed on 1 February 1918 that the mercy petition was placed before the British Indian Government.
This article says, writing a mercy petition was a legal option available to all prisoners. Fair. But if Savarkar was truly a Veer, he would have not chosen this option. There were many other prisoners jailed in the same prison…they did not cowardly chose to write the mercy petition like Savarkar did. Even Bhagat Singh had the same option, right?
Secondly, did Savarkar continue to fight against British after his release from the prison? Answer is no.
So seriously what were you thinking when writing this ridiculous article, which IMO, is the worst defense peice I’ve ever read.
Ur first statement is wrong. This article mentioned Sachindra Nath Santal and many political prisoners.
“Sachindra Nath Sanyal in his memoirs talks about sending an identical petition as Savarkar and being released while the latter was still imprisoned since the government feared that their release would rekindle the fizzled revolutionary movement in Maharashtra that they had spearheaded through their secret organisation – Abhinav Bharat.”
If ur parameter to be Brave is to be in jail and choosing death then other freedon fighters M. Gandhi, Nehru fall in which catagory?
It is not that the Congressmen were sole fighters of freedom. Even BG Tilak once said Congress is a ” Begging Institution”.
U r saying that after his release he didn’t fought for independence. U are wrong. He motivated Indians to join Indian army as it will ensure large participation of Indians in indian army and during future revolt it will have chances to be successful. ( In 1945 INS Talwar, Indian Navy Revolt on the call of Subhas Chandra Bose).
He also tried to consolidate indian culture as “HINDU”. ( Raja Ram Mohan Roy also did this in 19th century). He said everyone who lives in India is hindu. He was also agains cow worship. On social issues he tries to unify india.
During his last span of life he left medicine and food untill death. It’s not a sign of cowards.
Savarkar was a nationalist and not a traitor .One can hate RSS or BJP .But that not by dragging Vir Savarkar to this shame .He and all others fighters suffered heavily .They wanted complete freedom and immediately .Why Gandhi or Nehru was not given such bad treatment ,because they were ready to wait and continued the dialogue .If the militants had their ways ,we would have got freedom much before .The war delayed it .
Those times the political dicvision as we see now was missing .All were together to fight for freedom .RSS as political force came muscular after .
So it will be grave injustice to a man who sacrificed everything for this nation ,to be called a traitor by no less than a person from family who enjoyed ruling this country 3 suceesive generations ,
Sawarkar was is & will be a great son of this land . His sacrifices can not be denied . We all should visit Celluler jail as a holy temple. I have been there & found myself in tears after seeing the tortures faced by Savarkar & other patriots.
Frankly, one way or another, it doesn’t really matter to most of us. Things that seem terribly important to one school of thought simply do not have the resonance to become a national obsession. To the extent that what are little more than academic distractions are setting the national agenda for governance, it is hurting all of us. If a question of history arises, I would trust Ramchandra Guha.
Veer Savarkar was one of the great revolutionary whom British feared. His contribution to freedom struggle will always be remembered and his ideas and effort to end caste based discrimination was exemplary and everyone of us should strive to emmulate that.
Jai Hind
Vande Mataram
Great Article which highlight Veer Savarkar’s struggle for Indians. There is no doubt he was a great revolutionary which British Empire feared. His ideas and effort to end caste based discrimination was also exemplary.
Jai Hind
Vande Mataram?
what a foolish analysis of a coward , this is how Hindutva create hero out of traitor , as per author Bhaghat shing would be consider fool for not giving mercy petition and sacrifice his life
Dear Danish Bhagat Singh was a great son of our motherland ….We are nothing to be able to take any doubt on that..but But the situations in which Bhagat Singh and Veer Savarkar were,are totally different……Bhagat Singh Ji had planned That he will through a bomb and will surrender….he had knew that he will be hanged,he was also wishing for the same bcz it was going to be a reason to unite indian youth….bcz he was going to be punished within India…..but in case of Veer Savarkar, British kept him smartly outside India in solitary imprisonment in newly built cellular jail(kala Pani) of andaman so that we Indians will not come to know anything about his views…..let him die out there without hanging him so that his life will be wasted…..and that’s why he was struggling to get outside from the jail….do you think British were so fool that that they had vacated a complete one floor of cellular jail just to not let anybody meet Savarkar and if you say that he was afraid of death ….then for your kind information he died on himself according to yoga formulations without eating anything when he felt that it is time to leave this world…..and one more thing…..The person who cares for his life so much never writes his literature on the walls of jail….I mean he will always worry for his life how can he write such a big epic…..I suggest you to read his letters , you will come to know how micro and vast thinking he had…..if you will read his kaala Pani book you will definitely come to know everything….
Funny guy cannot be historian. It is sweet to RSS. Requesting mercy is usual one for human beings for survival. Giving justification is unwarranted and idiotic. During British East India Company, it was Anglo Brahmin Colonisation. Brahimins were real rulers and thugs to slave non-brahmins. Only after queen Victoria took over it, brahmins revolted against them for helping non-brahmins. This is what non-copperation moment.
No Patriot/Nationalist will call our enemy British as his father.Forget about taking pensions or writing mercy petitions.
A purest Antinational this suwarkar was.
But he never returned back to freedom struggle.
He was ever loyal to British ever afterwards.
Took lifelong pension from the British.
Total rubbish nonsense without any any facts. Writer seem paid stooge of RSS.
Savakar was without doubt communal bigot ; anti national coward and British stooge.
Congress members found
This article in defence of Savarkar is a bunch of lies and with facts distorted to misguide people! Bull shit!
Which facts are distorted here
The “lovers” the ” brotherhooders'” and the ” confused “that stubbornly fail to soak in the evergreen, all pervasive all encompassing culture of those fortunate to be born in this land will never acknowledge the truth of the value of souls like Savarkar. And their service. Good to see Media is drawing attention to truth with pramaaNas for a change , whatever be their intention or inspiration
It’s disgusting to find Port Blair airport named after a turncoat. Yes he was a revolutionary before arrest. But was a British stooge after release following the mercy petition. He then pulled up his socks to prevent the success of Netaji when his forces were at our doorstep.
It is not surprising that ill-read leprechauns like you accuse him of being a turncoat.
In none of his petitions did he apologize. Did you really care to read the article?
Nevertheless he promised wholesale cooperation with the British Government, any which way the British Government wants him to do. And that’s enough for him to qualify as a British stooge.
Wow, the words you use.! ‘Propensity’, “Ostensibly’, “Percipient”……Alas, to no avail! Because, no matter how hard you project yourself as a well-read, intelligent/ intellectual, it’s evident that you’re so full of shit! Either you blindly believe in all the lies you’ve read/been fed or you belong to the breed of hardcore manuvadi who are evil to the core.
Did you, you ‘well-read’ leper?
Netaji himself had applauded Savarkar’s war efforts on Azad Hind radio , 25 June 1945. So do some reading.
Blatant lie. Actually Savarkar was helping British by recruiting soldiers from India to fight against Netaji led INA.
Lol Savarkar knew what was coming (Partition) he encouraged Hindus to enroll in mass which eventually did helped Indian during 1947 when Netaji”s chief of staff Habib ur Rahman betrayed and helped Pakistan in first Kashmir war bcoz of which we lost Bhimber from the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
The comparison of Nehru with Savarkar is a false one. Savarkar should be compared with the so many Bengali revolutionaries who did not write mercy petitions and perished in the prison. Better yet compare them with the ones who survived long enough to see the cellular prison shut down and lived long enough to see independent India and yet remained unknown whereas the ‘veer’ who wrote mercy petitions one after another had the airport of Andaman and Nicobar Islands named after him.
That precisely was the argument. He did not want to die unknown and without any further contribution. Hence, upon release he focussed on the socio-cultural-religious paradigms. His ideas created the biggest political chasm in contemporary India.
He knew that Congress was the preferred interlocutors for the British and they would not be open to any kind of reasoning or negotiations from any other quarter.
Those with a propensity to ride on the ostensibly noble steed of extreme idealism, may well want Savarkar to have somehow endured five decades of horrendous imprisonment, out of a misplaced sense of heroism along the lines of, “he did not break down! He suffered and did not bow before the mighty British!”
Often, the line demarcating idealism from inanity is thin, and extreme idealism quite erases the same. What would the productivity of such a prisoner be? Is such an intelligent, well-educated and well-read prisoner not more resourceful outside the prison? Is any such legal approach to securing release from prison, therefore, not ethically valid in the larger scheme of things?
Savarkar was a very practical man. He had no qualms in making use of his percipient legal knowledge to secure his release, for he was verily much more resourceful without. Yet, he made it unambiguous that he would have equally been content with the release of the rest while his own being withheld. If this is not evidence of self-sacrifice, what is?
People who r criticizing Great Savarkar, should be given practical lessons of Indian Police 2nd degree Punishments. They will become it’s puppets. Savarkar gave his luxurious life in England for the freedom of India. He got 3 rd degrees brutal punishments by british Police. His mercy petition was like Shivaji escape from Aurangzeb’s court. Savarkar wanted to fight secretly. What was the logic of ending life in Prison. Leftist, congress, fake secularist & minority bigots are real traitors. Savarkar will always remain Nations pride.
“Naturally, Savarkar appealed against this injustice through his petition dated 20 March 1920. In none of these petitions does he ever say he was apologetic of his revolutionary past.”
Sorry, then what is to be construed of these sentences in his petitions:
Savarkar submitted his next mercy petition on 14 November 1913, and presented it personally to the Home Member of the Governor General’s council, Sir Reginald Craddock.[27] In his letter, asking for forgiveness, he described himself as a “prodigal son” longing to return to the “parental doors of the government”. He wrote that his release from the jail will recast the faith of many Indians in the British rule. Also, he said “Moreover, my conversion to the constitutional line would bring back all those misled young men in India and abroad who were once looking up to me as their guide. I am ready to serve the government in any capacity they like, for as my conversion is conscientious so I hope my future conduct would be. By keeping me in jail, nothing can be got in comparison to what would be otherwise.”[28]
In the view of Royal proclamation, Savarkar submitted his fourth mercy petition to the British Government on 30 March 1920.[26]:pg.472–476
In which he stated that “So far from believing in the militant school of the Bukanin type, I do not contribute even to the peaceful and philosophical anarchism of a Kuropatkin [sic.] or a Tolstoy. And as to my revolutionary tendencies in the past:- it is not only now for the object of sharing the clemency but years before this have I informed of and written to the Government in my petitions (1918, 1914) about my firm intention to abide by the constitution and stand by it as soon as a beginning was made to frame it by Mr Montagu. Since that the Reforms and then the Proclamation have only confirmed me in my views and recently I have publicly avowed my faith in and readiness to stand by the side of orderly and constitutional development.”[
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinayak_Damodar_Savarkar#Prisoner_in_Cellular_Jail_in_Andaman
I fail to comprehend the reason behind your sense of surprise at this article. Do you really expect Savarkar to write something to the effect of, “I assure the mighty British Government that I shall, after my release, resume my revolutionary activities.”
Is it not but natural for him to assure the British by writing such words as may indicate his willingness to partake in the process of constitutional reforms?
Is ThePrint and the writer Sampath, a Right Wing magazine for the right wing historian to peddle historical fiction as historical facts? What did Savarkar do after getting out of the prison to help his co- prisoners, so that they too see the light of freedom? The prisoners who applied with Savarkar were all upper caste people. Did Savarkar, if he was a barrister worth his salt, file a petition with the British govt to plead/ fight on behalf of the other prisoners? Oil press mill, looks like a cock and bull story ! British respected the educated, otherwise Bhagat Singh would not have been allowed access to books ! What did other prisoners say or write about Savarkar? What is dished out by these historians is good for RSS shakhas and for distorting history and historical facts, but not for scholarship !
In 1917, Savarkar submitted another mercy petition, this time for a general amnesty of all political prisoners. Savarkar was informed on 1 February 1918 that the mercy petition was placed before the British Indian Government.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinayak_Damodar_Savarkar#Prisoner_in_Cellular_Jail_in_Andaman
Is Sampat , a historian from the right-wing ideology , who wants to rescue Savarkar, from the taint of having cringed before the British to escape the rigours of prison? All those who applied to the British for release from the prison were upper caste people! After his release, if Savarkar was a competent barrister, if at all he was, what did he do to help to rescue the other contemporary prisoners? Did he petition the then govt on their behalf? This Historian, should have should have enlightened us, who the other prisoners were, their names, and what those prisoners thought of Savarkar ! General sweeping narrative doesn’t work, it will work in the shakhas of the RSS and right- wing conclave where they would like to eulogize Hindutva and Muslims bashing. Whether he did work on the oil press mill , is doubtful? British respected the educated prisoners, otherwise Bhagat Singh having attempted to kill the British officer would not have got books to read in prison! So, cock and bull stories can’t and should not be allowed to pass as historical facts, it can be allowed in the case of historical fiction novel !
Mr. Omkar Singh, you seem to know a lot about what other prisoners had to say about Savarkar… so kindly share your knowledge. By the way there are records of how prisoners released from Andaman came back with poems written by Savarkar and inspiring thoughts imparted by him. Your problem seems to be more about upper caste. If so, you really need to check the work done by Savarkar to abolish casteism. Also check his social work – actual records- in Ratnagiri. Get your facts right before voicing your opinions. It wasn’t Savarkar who cringed before the British. Your Congress Netas – the Nehru-Gandhi duo, not just cringed, they swore allegiance and bootlicked them ( 1914, 1942 – check historical records for these years). Thats alright for brainwashed people like you. But a tact to get out of prison in order to continue with freedom struggle is blown out proportion as “cringed before the British”. You actually wrote “ whether he worked in oil mills is doubtful” ??? Seriously dude… someone should make you go through kaala pani so that you experience the luxuries Savarkar got!!
but after that tactical ploy ? I do not recollect him doing anything for the freedom struggle.
About caste is a different topic.
Great ! Rightly said ! To belittle a revolutionary who has a great role in getting independence is depravity ! The Congress painted all the revolutionaries and INA soldiers as Hindu bigots or British stooges, since , if truth is out , their powers/ importance is lost !
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi go about the election campaign as if they are legitimate rulers of this country !
At last comes some recognition to Netaji / Savarkar/Lal , Bal ,Pal
JAIHIND !
It is intellectual poverty of the nation that some can raise doubts about the intentions and sufferings of a great revolutionary like Savarkar. In many other countries, he would have been worshipped by all countrymen.
Very insightful article. Many savarkar byters may not like the argument you made. But the truth will prevail that savarkar certainly wrote so called mercy petitions with a stratagic approach, which British recognized, but Nehru bhakt are reluctant to accept the fact.
Dissapointed in Couptaji. How can you platform views that intimidate the sanctity of this echo chamber? Why! Couptaji, WHY!!!
mudi shud rejine
Those who are point blank trying to castrate contribution and sacrifices made by Savarkar are low piece of life as they are ignorant of the cause for which he gave his entire life. Now about petitions so what the fuss, should he been rotten in Kala Pani and die. On the other hand people have selective amsenisa as one man’s terrorist is another’s martyr. Savarkar had a terrible life and I am certain he might have mistaken on some aspects but does it give us carde blanche authority to demonize him and forget his contributions and had we been in his shoes at that point in time we could have done what’s best at that point in time and it needs no scrutiny because its not always about scrutiny and criticism and lastly who is without the sin cast the first stone and see are we without the seen for which I am certain we are not.
Kind of hardship a learned barrister and son of soil Savarkar got being a political prisoner for the same crimeNehru did, if even 10% of the hardship would have gotten to Nehru or Gandhi they would have written letter and converted the very next day, Savarkar endured it for 11 years. Its change of tactics. Savarkar remained a national movement hero after his release. In 1946 he asked Indian soldiers in British army to revolt as British dominion is about to go and if they fire at Indians it will be considered murders and this scared theBbritish if such revolt happen again as mentioned by Claimant Aitlee. British were not worried about Nehru as he is anyway British stooge and chamcha so given all amenities during token arrest and prison compared to what Savarkar gone through and yet this Pappu and other shameless Congressi tarnishing a national hero for few votes …
People hate Savarkar because of 2 reasons 1) he was brahmin 2) he was champion of Hindutva cause. They refuse to acknowledge that he was a great visionary. He asked hindus to join military so that they can save hindus when country becomes independent. And as far as non participation in quit india movement is concerned, even Ambedkar opposed this movement. But he became hero and Savarkar is vilified
All the days, congress written the Indian History. In my childhood, we read about Ghajani& Ghouri but today you will not find in History books. Even we use to have Ramayana, MahaBharata lessons in our books. Nehru Congress implemented five year plans to remove these in a phased manner. Why I mentioned all the above is,the remarks passed by Rahul against savarkars integraty is to be condemned.
Rahul is 46 years aged and unmarried but not matured mentally.
Once upon a time, we use to hear the jokes on Sardarjis.
Now even congress cadre is cutting jokes against heir boss.
It is most unfortunate to congress to elect him as their leader, It’s proved beyond doubt that others in the congress are more inferred than this president.
Otherwise any other would have been selected.
Poor congress , it may not raise again to a ruling stage.
Two things.
1) if you actually attended a normal school instead of RSS run Hindutva Madressa…you would have come across history spanning from Indus valley civilization to Mauryas to Gupta’s to Turks to Mughals to Independence history, like I had.
2) If Rahul is useless and if his own party members are making fun of him then you should be happy, considering you aren’t a Congress supporter. Why are you in so much of pain?
Vande Mataram
Veer Savarkar was a great freedom fighter and his legacy will live for ever. The Government should recognize his sacrifices and make sure his legacy is not forgotten or maligned by some frustrated anti nationals.
Congress talks of dissent and all inclusion but can not give due respect to political opposition leaders who have done service to the country. So in that sense congress is very fanatic. One should not have black or white thinking when it comes to history. One may differ in views about Savarkar’s actions but portraying him as a villain is too much. So currently congress says it is all inclusive but it unnecessarily abuses Savarkar or Golwalkar or Hedgewar. At the same time, BJP creates tallest statue of congress leader Sardar Patel ( who had banned RSS) and Mohan Bhagwat accepts contribution of congress openly. If you look at this contrast, you can ask the question-who really is more inclusive?Congress or the BJP?
That is only because the Golwalkars and Savarkars are only worth despise and the Sanghis have no truly great leaders.
Great Jokes, Fake History can’t change the truth,
What truth do you refer to, O leprechaun? Is your knowledge of truth better than that of a historian who, in order to reinforce his points, has quoted archival material in his book?
The author says that he feels disturbed as a historian when national heroes are vilified for petty political reasons then his blood must be boiling whenever Mr Modi sings songs in praise of Nehru and other historical figures.
Brilliant take.
Either you are an idiot or a complete brainwashed, answer to the questions, how will you do anything for your revolution without freeing up from the jail and how would you do that, without signing a mercy petition
A mercy petition is just signed, don’t you break the promises, so what makes you think he can’t.
Surely, it was the only way to get relief, once freed, will betray the British and will again start to work against them with several other revolutionaries.
It is strange that any discussion or writing about Veer Savarkar tends to be one-sided. This article shows the positive side. The great man had the other side as well. Don’t we all? I am not seeing a balanced view. Actually, Savakar, Hedgewar, Godse, Bose, the many Sanghi ideologue etc., had a few things in common. 1. Theu had no faith in ahimsa. 2. They didn’t believe in the concept of reconciliation, be it wrt Hindu-Muslim amity; gradual and negotiated transition to self-governance 3. Patriotism was inevitably a component of nzyionslidm to them. 4. Lastly, their concerns were not influenced by economic factors. This alt-view is the current guiding philosophy of many now.
Please read Niranjan Takle’s well-researched article — “Savarkar, A Lamb Lionized.”
https://www.theweek.in/theweek/cover/life-and-legacy-of-veer-savarkar.html
“Please read this (totally unbiased, i swear) article that highlights parts of history which suit my narrative”
Thank you so much for the link on Takle’s article on Savarkar ! Great man, keep showing the mirror to the one dimensional casteist mind people who have tried to propagate historical fiction as facts of history !! Good bless the courageous !!
I am surprised to read this piece of lies. May I ask why did Sawarkar opposed quite India movement. When Gandhiji appealed all Govt. Officers to quite their jobs and join freedom movement, Sawarkar organised recruitment camps and hundreds of hindutva workers participated in these camps.
Sawarkar had explicitly given assurance in his mercy petition that he would not support freedom movement and that he would remain loyal to British rule.
He wrote seven mercy petitions but in non of these petition did he mention the plight of other prisoners nor did he ask to release other prisoners along with him.
In 1917, Savarkar submitted another mercy petition, this time for a general amnesty of all political prisoners. Savarkar was informed on 1 February 1918 that the mercy petition was placed before the British Indian Government.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinayak_Damodar_Savarkar#Prisoner_in_Cellular_Jail_in_Andaman
This article says, writing a mercy petition was a legal option available to all prisoners. Fair. But if Savarkar was truly a Veer, he would have not chosen this option. There were many other prisoners jailed in the same prison…they did not cowardly chose to write the mercy petition like Savarkar did. Even Bhagat Singh had the same option, right?
Secondly, did Savarkar continue to fight against British after his release from the prison? Answer is no.
So seriously what were you thinking when writing this ridiculous article, which IMO, is the worst defense peice I’ve ever read.
Ur first statement is wrong. This article mentioned Sachindra Nath Santal and many political prisoners.
“Sachindra Nath Sanyal in his memoirs talks about sending an identical petition as Savarkar and being released while the latter was still imprisoned since the government feared that their release would rekindle the fizzled revolutionary movement in Maharashtra that they had spearheaded through their secret organisation – Abhinav Bharat.”
If ur parameter to be Brave is to be in jail and choosing death then other freedon fighters M. Gandhi, Nehru fall in which catagory?
It is not that the Congressmen were sole fighters of freedom. Even BG Tilak once said Congress is a ” Begging Institution”.
U r saying that after his release he didn’t fought for independence. U are wrong. He motivated Indians to join Indian army as it will ensure large participation of Indians in indian army and during future revolt it will have chances to be successful. ( In 1945 INS Talwar, Indian Navy Revolt on the call of Subhas Chandra Bose).
He also tried to consolidate indian culture as “HINDU”. ( Raja Ram Mohan Roy also did this in 19th century). He said everyone who lives in India is hindu. He was also agains cow worship. On social issues he tries to unify india.
During his last span of life he left medicine and food untill death. It’s not a sign of cowards.
Savarkar was a nationalist and not a traitor .One can hate RSS or BJP .But that not by dragging Vir Savarkar to this shame .He and all others fighters suffered heavily .They wanted complete freedom and immediately .Why Gandhi or Nehru was not given such bad treatment ,because they were ready to wait and continued the dialogue .If the militants had their ways ,we would have got freedom much before .The war delayed it .
Those times the political dicvision as we see now was missing .All were together to fight for freedom .RSS as political force came muscular after .
So it will be grave injustice to a man who sacrificed everything for this nation ,to be called a traitor by no less than a person from family who enjoyed ruling this country 3 suceesive generations ,
Sawarkar was is & will be a great son of this land . His sacrifices can not be denied . We all should visit Celluler jail as a holy temple. I have been there & found myself in tears after seeing the tortures faced by Savarkar & other patriots.
Frankly, one way or another, it doesn’t really matter to most of us. Things that seem terribly important to one school of thought simply do not have the resonance to become a national obsession. To the extent that what are little more than academic distractions are setting the national agenda for governance, it is hurting all of us. If a question of history arises, I would trust Ramchandra Guha.
Veer Savarkar was one of the great revolutionary whom British feared. His contribution to freedom struggle will always be remembered and his ideas and effort to end caste based discrimination was exemplary and everyone of us should strive to emmulate that.
Jai Hind
Vande Mataram
Great Article which highlight Veer Savarkar’s struggle for Indians. There is no doubt he was a great revolutionary which British Empire feared. His ideas and effort to end caste based discrimination was also exemplary.
Jai Hind
Vande Mataram?
Persons who are no more than piece of holy shit are commenting on great son of Bharatmata. Anyways kudos to article and author.
what a foolish analysis of a coward , this is how Hindutva create hero out of traitor , as per author Bhaghat shing would be consider fool for not giving mercy petition and sacrifice his life
Dear Danish Bhagat Singh was a great son of our motherland ….We are nothing to be able to take any doubt on that..but But the situations in which Bhagat Singh and Veer Savarkar were,are totally different……Bhagat Singh Ji had planned That he will through a bomb and will surrender….he had knew that he will be hanged,he was also wishing for the same bcz it was going to be a reason to unite indian youth….bcz he was going to be punished within India…..but in case of Veer Savarkar, British kept him smartly outside India in solitary imprisonment in newly built cellular jail(kala Pani) of andaman so that we Indians will not come to know anything about his views…..let him die out there without hanging him so that his life will be wasted…..and that’s why he was struggling to get outside from the jail….do you think British were so fool that that they had vacated a complete one floor of cellular jail just to not let anybody meet Savarkar and if you say that he was afraid of death ….then for your kind information he died on himself according to yoga formulations without eating anything when he felt that it is time to leave this world…..and one more thing…..The person who cares for his life so much never writes his literature on the walls of jail….I mean he will always worry for his life how can he write such a big epic…..I suggest you to read his letters , you will come to know how micro and vast thinking he had…..if you will read his kaala Pani book you will definitely come to know everything….
This article is a bunch of lies
Prove it….
Funny guy cannot be historian. It is sweet to RSS. Requesting mercy is usual one for human beings for survival. Giving justification is unwarranted and idiotic. During British East India Company, it was Anglo Brahmin Colonisation. Brahimins were real rulers and thugs to slave non-brahmins. Only after queen Victoria took over it, brahmins revolted against them for helping non-brahmins. This is what non-copperation moment.
In which states Brahmins were having great political influence?