Vinayak Damodar Savarkar Jayanti: The often heard term ‘Hindutva’ became popular after the nationalist Indian independence activist and politician Vinayak Damodar Savarkar wrote a pamphlet of the same name in 1921 defending the interests of Hindus. Apart from his Hindu nationalism, Savarkar was also a passionate freedom fighter. On his birth anniversary, we take a look at some key facts from his personal life and political activism.
- political activism
As a college student, Savarkar founded a secret revolutionary society called Mitra Mela in 1899 with his brother Ganesh Damodar Savarkar. This evolved into the Abhinav Bharat Society, which was involved in the murders of British officials such as William Curzon Wyllie and AMT Jackson. Savarkar allegedly supplied guns to the killers and was jailed. He was also a member of the Hindu Mahasabha- a political party formed to protect the rights of Hindus. - Advocating Indian nationalism abroad
While studying law at Gray’s Inn in the United Kingdom, Savarkar advocated revolutionary ideas against the British among the Indian youth. He wrote The Indian War of Independence (1909), a historical account of the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, to raise nationalist sentiments against the colonial rulers. The book was banned and he was arrested for plotting an armed rebellion against the Morley-Minto Reforms (1909). - Social reforms
Savarkar was against social evils like casteism and untouchability. He helped children from lower castes to get formal education and established a temple where all castes could pray together. He wrote an essay titled Seven Shackles of Hindu Society (1931), where he denounced caste-based restrictions in Hindu scriptures. - philosophy
Savarkar advocated the interests of Hindus through his Hindutva philosophy. After his grueling experiences in the Andaman Cellular Jail, he wanted India to be transformed into a nation for Hindus and communities with its historical and religious roots in India. For him Hindutva was about a strong sense of national identity. - assassination of Mahatma Gandhi
Savarkar was accused by Nathuram Godse as a conspirator in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. However, the charges against him could not be proved and he was released.
read all breaking news , today’s fresh news And IPL 2022 Live Updates Here.