Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, popularly known as Veer Savarkar, was a freedom fighter, politician, activist, and writer. Born on May 28, 1883, Veer Savarkar embarked on his political journey at a very young age. In 1906, after completing his college in Pune, Savarkar went to the United Kingdom for higher studies in law. The same year, he started the Free India Society.
Savarkar strongly believed that the struggle for the liberation of Motherland should include the teachings of Swadeshi and boycott of foreign goods; imparting national education and creating a revolutionary spirit.
In 1909, Savarkar was arrested in London on charges of plotting an armed revolt against the Morley-Minto reform. He was then sentenced to two life sentences in the cellular jail of Andaman. In 1924, Savarkar was released from jail under the condition that he would not participate in politics for five years. However, he continued to work towards the abolishment of untouchability and other social reforms.
In 1937, he was elected the president of the Hindu Mahasabha, which promoted the principles of Hindutva, a Hindu nationalist ideology.
After a series of significant and reformative activities during his life span, on February 1, 1966, Savarkar declared he would sacrifice food, medicine, and water until his death, terming it, ‘Atmaarpan’. Before his death on February 26, 1966, he wrote an article titled, ‘Atmahatya Nahi Atmaarpan’. In this piece, Savarkar underscored that when one’s mission in life is accomplished, he or she should end it, instead of waiting for death.
On February 26, 2024, it will be the 58th death anniversary of Veer Savarkar. Let us take a closer look at Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s contributions and achievements during his life span.
Contribution and achievements
Veer Savarkar established the secret organisation, Abhinav Bharat Society, which encouraged the youths to fight colonial rule in India.
Savarkar propagated the concept of Swadeshi and was committed to boycotting foreign goods.
Veer Savarkar envisioned the Patit Pavan Temple in the Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra, which is open to Hindus of all castes.
He advocated rationality and atheism and he even dismissed cow worship as superstitious.
A known author, Savarkar wrote revolutionary books such as Hindutva, Inside the Enemy Camp, Hindu Rashtra Darshan, Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History, and My Transportation for Life among several others.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
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