Veer Savarkar Death Anniversary: Revisiting The Life of India's Most Prominent Hindutva Ideologue

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar popularly known as Veer Savarkar, was an Indian politician, lawyer and writer. Savarkar was born on May 28, 1883, in a Brahmin Hindu family. The revolutionary leader popularised the term Hindutva which was previously coined by Chandranath Basu. He was also a pragmatic practitioner of Hindu Philosophy. He was the president of the Hindu Mahasabha from 1937 till 1943. Savarkar was also involved in a political murder of three British officials. Shiv Sena Alleges Damage in Savarkar Statue at Andaman & Nicobar, Port Blair Municipal Council Denies.

The Hindutva ideologue was also charge-sheeted in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, but later was acquitted from the charge as no evidence was found against him. Savarkar's revolutionary activities began while studying in India and England, where he was associated with the India House and Abhinav Bharat Society and the Free India Society. Shiv Sena Hits Out at Modi Govt for Not Honouring Veer Savarkar with Bharat Ratna.

In 1910, the staunch Hindu nationalist was arrested for his connections with the revolutionary group India House and organising an armed revolt against the Morley-Minto reforms of 1909. He tried to escape from the ship, but was re-arrested. Following a trial, Savarkar was convicted and sentenced to 50-years imprisonment by the Permanent Court of International Arbitration. Mumbai: Veer Savarkar Flyover Connecting Goregaon East-West Open for Public Use, Motorists Get Relief From Traffic Snarls on SV Road.

While in the Cellular jail he wrote three mercy petitions. Savarkar submitted his first mercy petition on 30 August 1911, which was rejected. He submitted his second mercy petition in 1913 complaining about the poor treatment meted out to him as compared to other convicts. In 1917, Savarkar submitted another mercy petition, this time for a general amnesty of all political prisoners. The Congress also pressurised the British government for the release of Savarkar, due to which he was shifted Yerwada Jail in 1923 and was released in 1924 under the condition that he would not participate in political activities. Swap Mahatma Gandhi With Veer Savarkar on all Currency Notes: Hindu Mahasabha to Centre.

Meanwhile, Under Savarkar, the Hindu Mahasabha openly opposed the call for the Quit India Movement and boycotted it officially. The Hindu revolutionary was also against the partition of the country in 1947. Savarkar was an outspoken critic of the Indian National Congress and Mahatma Gandhi. The staunch Hindu nationalist had less liberal views for the non-Hindu community. Savarkar publicly criticised the Jews for failing to absorb into the German national fabric and compared them to Muslims in India as well, reported the Indian Express.

According to some reports, the first Prime Minister of the country Jawaharlal Nehru once refused to share a stage with Savarkar. His health deteriorated rapidly after the death of his wife in 1963. Savarkar had renounced medicines, food and water. The revolutionary leader He breathed his last on February 26, 1966, at his residence in Mumbai. Jawaharlal Nehru's Photo Replaced by Vinayak Savarkar's in Class 10 Social Science Textbook in Goa, Claims NSUI.

Meanwhile, in 2015, the Shiv Sena wrote a letter to PM Narendra Modi for honouring the Hindu nationalist with Bharat Ratna. On the other hand, the Congress president Rahul Gandhi in his speech in New Delhi had called Savarkar, a coward. A complaint was also filed against him in Pune for hurting sentiments.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 26, 2019 12:01 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).