Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, fondly known as Veer Savarkar, was a name that struck fear into the hearts of the British rulers and left an indelible mark on India’s freedom struggle. From being the first to burn foreign clothes to being a fearless barrister who refused to pledge loyalty to the British Crown, his life was a testament to unrelenting patriotism. Yet, post-independence, his legacy was deliberately suppressed by political adversaries, only to rise again like the morning sun breaking through the darkness of deceit and denial.
Long before Mahatma Gandhi popularised the Swadeshi movement, Veer Savarkar became the first to ignite the flames of defiance against British goods. In 1905, at just 22 years old, he led a protest by burning foreign clothes, an act that would later inspire Gandhi himself to boycott foreign goods in Parel, Mumbai, on July 11, 1921. Recognising his audacity, Bal Gangadhar Tilak praised Savarkar in his newspaper Kesari, equating him with Chhatrapati Shivaji.
Savarkar’s rebellion did not go unnoticed. He was expelled from Ferguson College, Pune, and fined Rs 10 for his act, sparking a massive student strike. Tilak himself stood in his support, penning an editorial in Kesari advocating for Savarkar’s nationalist cause.
Savarkar was not just a fearless but also a brilliant legal mind. In 1909, after passing his law exams in Britain, he made history as the first Indian barrister to reject the oath of loyalty to the British king. As a result, he was never conferred the title of ‘Barrister-at-Law.’ His defiance exemplified his unwavering commitment to India’s freedom, setting him apart from many of his contemporaries.
Savarkar’s literary contribution to India’s freedom struggle was unparalleled. His book 1857: The First War of Independence shattered the British narrative that labeled the uprising as a mere ‘mutiny.’ The British government was so terrified of his revelations that it banned the book even before its publication. Yet, undeterred, Savarkar arranged for it to be printed abroad. Bhagat Singh later ensured its distribution in India, selling each copy for a staggering Rs 300. This book became the holy scripture for fearless, found in the homes of patriots during police raids.
The first Indian to escape british captivity by jumping into the sea
On July 8, 1910, while being transported as a prisoner from Britain to India, Savarkar executed one of the most daring escapes in history. He leaped into the sea and swam to the shores of France, seeking asylum. However, the British and French governments conspired against him, leading to his recapture and extradition to India. His case even reached the International Court of Justice in The Hague, making him the world’s first fearless to be tried at such a level.
Sentenced to two life imprisonments yet never broken
Savarkar holds the infamous record of being the first Indian to be sentenced to two life imprisonments—totaling 50 years—by the British government. Upon hearing the sentence, he mocked the British, stating, “The Christian regime has finally accepted the Hindu philosophy of rebirth.”
His punishment led him to the dreaded Cellular Jail in Andaman, where he endured unimaginable torture. Forced to extract 30 pounds of oil daily in the jail’s oil mill, Savarkar never wavered in his spirit. Even in captivity, he turned his prison walls into his canvas, writing thousands of lines of poetry using pebbles and charcoal, committing over 6000 lines to memory.
Savarkar’s trials did not end with India’s independence. In 1948, following the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru’s government arrested him under false charges and imprisoned him in the Red Fort. However, after the court found no evidence against him, he was honorably acquitted. Yet, his nationalist ideology continued to intimidate successive governments, both Indian and foreign.
When he passed away on February 26, 1966, Parliament refused to pass a condolence motion, arguing that he was never a Member of Parliament. Ironically, the same Parliament had observed mourning for Winston Churchill—a British imperialist. This blatant political discrimination could not, however, erase Savarkar’s contributions from history.
In a twist of fate, the same Parliament that denied him a condolence motion saw his statue being installed on February 26, 2003. His image, which Congress President Sonia Gandhi attempted to block, was unveiled with full honors by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Even in death, Savarkar’s nationalist ideology continued to challenge and defeat his detractors.
However, the attempts to erase his contributions did not stop. Mani Shankar Aiyar, a minister in the UPA government, removed Savarkar’s stone inscription from Andaman’s Cellular Jail, replacing it with Mahatma Gandhi’s. This was an insult to the man who endured a decade of suffering in Kala Pani for India’s freedom.
Savarkar was a visionary thinker who gave the ideological foundation of Hindutva, defining Hindu identity as one bound by the land of Bharat. He championed the cause of Hindi, Hindu, Hindustan, advocating for national unity and cultural resurgence. While successive governments attempted to stifle his influence, his ideas have only grown stronger.
Indira Gandhi, despite being from the Congress party, acknowledged his greatness. In contrast, others in her party tried to suppress his legacy. Today, however, Savarkar’s nationalist vision is witnessing a resurgence, proving that no political force can suppress the truth forever.
Veer Savarkar was not just a freedom fighter but a thinker, a poet, and a martyr in spirit. The British feared him, and post-independence leaders tried to erase him, but history has vindicated him. As the dawn of his nationalist ideals shines brighter, India stands today as a testament to his enduring legacy.
