Veer Savarkar by Akshay Jog ;Translated from

 Marathi by Amol Damle ; Published by Krishna

 Publications ; Pages 228 ; Price Rs 399/-

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Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was a great

 revolutionary in the history of India’s struggle of

 independence--- an orator par excellence, scholar,

 prolific writer, historian, poet, philosopher and

 social worker. He has been glorified and vilified in

 equal measure. 

A brief introduction to Savarkar.

He was born on May 28, 1883. Savarkar started       “ Mitra Mela”an organization which influenced the members to fight for “absolute political independence” of India.

The British Government withdrew Veer Savarkar’s graduation degree for his involvement in the Indian freedom movement . In June 1906 he went to London to study Law. Savarkar's revolutionary activities began while studying in India and England, where he was associated with the India House . He brought out publications supporting the cause of complete Indian independence by revolutionary means. He wrote a book “The Indian War of Independence 1857” on India’s struggle of independence, which was banned by the British. He supported the use of arms in India’s struggle of independence.

He was arrested in London on 13 March 1910 and sent to India for trial. Following a failed attempt to escape while being transported from Marseilles.

 Savarkar was sentenced to two life terms of imprisonment totalling fifty years and was moved to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar islands. By the persistent demand of leaders like Vithalbhai Patel, Tilak and Gandhi Savarkar was released and brought back to India on May 2, 1921.

Savarkar was initially kept in Ratnagiri jail. He later founded the Ratnagiri Hindu Sabha to preserve ancient Indian culture and work for social welfare. He joined the Swaraj Party, formed by Tilak and founded the Hindu Mahasabha, a separate political party and was elected its President. The party opposed the formation of Pakistan. Veer Savarkar was charged by the Government of India in the Mahatma Gandhi assassination case but was acquitted by the Supreme Court of India.

His social activity was aimed solely to help humanity.

Savarkar passed away on February 26, 1966 at the age of 83.

While in jail, Savarkar wrote extensively on Hindutva, espousing what it means to be a Hindu, and Hindu pride, which he defined as all the people descended of Hindu culture as being part of Hindutva, including Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs. In 1921, under restrictions after signing a plea for clemency, he was released on the condition that he renounce revolutionary activities. Savarkar endorsed the ideal of India as a Hindu Rashtra and opposed the Quit India struggle in 1942, calling it a “Quit India but keep your army" movement. He became a fierce critic of the Indian National Congress and its acceptance of India’s partition.

When in the Cellular jail, Savarkar was denied pen and paper. He composed and wrote his poems on the prison walls with thorns and pebbles, memorised thousands of lines of his poetry for years till other prisoners returning home brought them to India.

While imprisoned he wrote Hindutva: Who Is a Hindu? , coining the term Hindutva(“Hinduness”), which defined Indian culture as a manifestation of  Hindu values.

When Gandhi was assassinated in 1948 by a former member of the Mahasabha, Savarkar was implicated, but he was acquitted in his subsequent trial because of insufficient evidence.

The book under review is an English translation of the original Marathi book of Akshay Jog.The author is an Electronics engineer—who has conducted research for ten years on Savarkar. He is a regular speaker on Savarkar and he is also a  member of the research team of the new film Savarkar.

Akshay Jog has made a frontal attack on the vicious campaign carried out for the last 25 years against Savarkar, vilifying him and belittling his great contribution to Indian society. The sub-title of the book is “Systematic Rebuttal of allegations on Savarkar with proof”.

Savarkar was the fountainhead of the concept of Hindutva—a word he coined .He was the intellectual base of the Hindutva movement.

Savarkar had submitted ten mercy petitions to the British government from 1911 to 1923.He himself has mentioned these in his book “My Life Imprisonment”.His intention was to deceive the British, get rid of punishment and fight for the nation instead of rotting in a cell.He demanded a comprehensive release of prisoners across the nation as well as abroad and hoping to get the State pardon for all.

Savarkar’s petition had the following four demands which proved that his plea was not selfish but for all prisoners.

1.Unconditional and comprehensive release of all political offenders serving the imprisonment in and outside India.

2.Responsible governing power or Self government.

3.Effective majority in legislature.

4.No question to be asked about the earlier revolutionary activities, conspiracies and the persons involved.

He never betrayed his fellow revolutionaries or his nation.

The author tackles allegations that Savarkar demanded pension, opposed the tricolour flag favouring the saffron flag, aversion to Muslims, non-participation in protests by political prisoners, co-operation with the war efforts.

One chapter is devoted to the charge that Savarkar was the mastermind behind the murder of Gandhi.Quoting chapter and verse from the Kapur Commission the author absolves him of any role.

Savarkar did not espouse a two nation theory but believed that there are two nations in India—the Hindus and the Moslems. He declared—‘We shall ever guarantee protection to the religion,culture and language of the minorities for themselves." This subject is cogently analysed.

Regarding Savarkar’s stand on the Quit India movement he believed with Clement Attllee that its influence on Britain was ‘Minimal’.

The author explains Savarkar’s stand on a number of topics--Subhas Chandra Bose,the Princely States, Fascism and Nazism.

Akshay Jog demolishes with consummate ease the spurious allegations against Savarkar and proves the relevance of the great leader when he was alive and even today.

Savarkar possessed a number of distinctive marks---- character, amazing presence of mind, indomitable courage, unconquerable confidence in his capability to achieve great things.

Akshay Jog’s book confirms this abundantly.

The book is a must read for all admirers of Savarkar and all students of India’s freedom struggle.

P.P.Ramachandran.

21/02/2021.