Addressing a rally in Chhattisgarh, PM Modi said former Congress chief Sitaram Kesri was a Dalit who was ‘thrown out of office’ to make way for Sonia Gandhi.
Piyush was about celebration—of life, of people, of stories. He believed that what we create can shape popular culture, can make people feel proud of who they are.
Rosneft, the Russian state-owned oil behemoth, has large interests in India. Reliance has a contract to purchase 500,000 barrels of crude per day from the firm.
Fresh details of operation conducted by IAF, Army have come out in gazette notification giving citations of those who were awarded Vir Chakra for their bravery.
Education, reservations, govt jobs are meant to bring equality and dignity. That we are a long way from that is evident in the shoe thrown at the CJI and the suicide of Haryana IPS officer. The film Homebound has a lesson too.
I’m actually so happy that someone is working on a biography of savarkar. Much needed. I’ve never bought this simple argument that condemns savarkar because of his mercy petitions. Sadly politicians and the wider public know very little history and keep talking based on their little knowledge. Very frustrating, but also means historians need to engage more. After spending 27 (or was it 37?) years in prison, a mercy petition to the British is understandable. I also agree with the more nuanced picture this article provides. Including his work on caste. At the same time, it’s true that savarkar worked to remove caste to unify a Hindu nation, and that this nation excluded non-hindus who equally belonged to India. Muslims and Christians were not included by him into his nation, unless they gave up their religion and culture. Also, Savarkar, as president of Hindu Mahasabha, wished it to “hinduise politics” and “militarise hindudom” – himself an atheist, he wanted to mix Hindu religion and politics, and wanted to militarise Hindus. He was extremely attracted to violence for political ends – this was earlier meant for the British (which landed him in jail for so many years, because he directly inspired Madanlal Dhingra who assassinated Wyllie), but continued later where he sanctioned to use of Hindus against whom he thought were their permanent enemies the Muslims. His vision of “history” was also marked by endless war between hindus and Muslims, and ofcourse since it was so politivated by the ideological project of creating a Hindu nation – did not take into account a proper and richer account of India’s ancient or medieval past.
About loyalism towards the British, more than the mercy petition, in fact what might show his loyalism is that I’m pretty certain the entire Hindu Mahasabha remained British loyalists, while the INC was leading a mass struggle of civil disobedience. The earlier Mahasabhites like Lajpat Rai and Malaviya were anti-British. But I think under Savarkar HMS was loyal to the British. Pretty sure about this, but need to recheck.
Another point – author is right to point out that INC proclaimed loyalty to British in 1914. But 1916 both INC and the Muslim League joined to demand selfgovt in Lucknow Pact. 1918 onwards there were huge mass movements like never before – led by Gandhi and the INC. 1918 Rowlatt agitation, and 1920 there was the non-cooperation movement, for which everyone from Lajpat Rai, Motilal Nehru, Jawarlal Nehru, to Maulana Azad to Ali brothers to Gandhi went to jail!
Leave it, Shekhar ji. Your example is inappropriate, exaggerated, misleading and misplaced! I however respect you for your integrity, values and contribution in general.
how did the media slams bjps dalit president for corruption that exists in every party ? did bjp have an alternative ? Bangaru L was caught on candid cam with black money donations .. which was rampant during indira era , i know how honest officers in govt depts like cag were shunted out to a minor posting because he was honest and didnt accept a bribe of a 2bhk flat to change his findings he increased govt revenue by a crore a yr to the detriment of the loyal congress supporters who donated a large amt of black money made through cheating the govt !!
I’m actually so happy that someone is working on a biography of savarkar. Much needed. I’ve never bought this simple argument that condemns savarkar because of his mercy petitions. Sadly politicians and the wider public know very little history and keep talking based on their little knowledge. Very frustrating, but also means historians need to engage more. After spending 27 (or was it 37?) years in prison, a mercy petition to the British is understandable. I also agree with the more nuanced picture this article provides. Including his work on caste. At the same time, it’s true that savarkar worked to remove caste to unify a Hindu nation, and that this nation excluded non-hindus who equally belonged to India. Muslims and Christians were not included by him into his nation, unless they gave up their religion and culture. Also, Savarkar, as president of Hindu Mahasabha, wished it to “hinduise politics” and “militarise hindudom” – himself an atheist, he wanted to mix Hindu religion and politics, and wanted to militarise Hindus. He was extremely attracted to violence for political ends – this was earlier meant for the British (which landed him in jail for so many years, because he directly inspired Madanlal Dhingra who assassinated Wyllie), but continued later where he sanctioned to use of Hindus against whom he thought were their permanent enemies the Muslims. His vision of “history” was also marked by endless war between hindus and Muslims, and ofcourse since it was so politivated by the ideological project of creating a Hindu nation – did not take into account a proper and richer account of India’s ancient or medieval past.
About loyalism towards the British, more than the mercy petition, in fact what might show his loyalism is that I’m pretty certain the entire Hindu Mahasabha remained British loyalists, while the INC was leading a mass struggle of civil disobedience. The earlier Mahasabhites like Lajpat Rai and Malaviya were anti-British. But I think under Savarkar HMS was loyal to the British. Pretty sure about this, but need to recheck.
Another point – author is right to point out that INC proclaimed loyalty to British in 1914. But 1916 both INC and the Muslim League joined to demand selfgovt in Lucknow Pact. 1918 onwards there were huge mass movements like never before – led by Gandhi and the INC. 1918 Rowlatt agitation, and 1920 there was the non-cooperation movement, for which everyone from Lajpat Rai, Motilal Nehru, Jawarlal Nehru, to Maulana Azad to Ali brothers to Gandhi went to jail!
Caste is everything and corruption, which is one of the biggest industry is no exception.
Leave it, Shekhar ji. Your example is inappropriate, exaggerated, misleading and misplaced! I however respect you for your integrity, values and contribution in general.
how did the media slams bjps dalit president for corruption that exists in every party ? did bjp have an alternative ? Bangaru L was caught on candid cam with black money donations .. which was rampant during indira era , i know how honest officers in govt depts like cag were shunted out to a minor posting because he was honest and didnt accept a bribe of a 2bhk flat to change his findings he increased govt revenue by a crore a yr to the detriment of the loyal congress supporters who donated a large amt of black money made through cheating the govt !!
Bangaru Lakshman was party president. His crime far bigger than a junior minister.
It does not justify Judeo’s reinstatement though!
And Shekharji, you are far more informed of the Congress’ army of thieves. Alibaba had only 40!
Shekhar ji in new AVTAR. Of late you are switching. I know you always go with wind, which is against Journalism ethics. Wah Shekhar ji.
On par with Salim – Javed at their peak. Makes Mere paas maan hai sound almost petulant, childish.