Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s worst critic or later this anger of Savarkar became the cause of Gandhi’s death.

Early Life & Childhood Of Savarkar

Born on May 28, 1883, in Bhagpur, Nasik District, Bombay, Savarkar inherited a strong sense of Maratha spirit and nationalism from his Marathi lineage, rooted in the legacy of the Maratha Empire. Alongside his brother, he established the clandestine Abhinav Bharat Society.

Influenced by Shyamji Krishna Varma, head of India House in London, Savarkar joined the Free India Society upon his return to India.

Fight Against Britishers

Savarkar’s association with India House and his support for the India House led to the British Indian government labelling him as “the most dangerous man in India”. Savarkar became involved with India House in the day-to-day running in 1906.

However, in 1907 he left England due to his interest in revolutionary activities against the British. Savarkar began to study associations in the countries under British colonialism. He wrote many pamphlets on revolutionary activities.

To lever the philosophy and thinking of the youth, Savarkar wrote a number of books like The Indian war of Independence 1857, Hindutva, My Transportation for Life and Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History. The Indian War of Independence about the Indian Rebellion of 1857 was banned by the British colonial authorities. This Book Considered as the First Book that Inspired many Indian Freedom Fighters Like SC Bose & Bhagat Singh.

Arrest & 11 Years of Imprisonment in Cellular Jail

On March 13, 1910, he was arrested in London facing various allegations, including the acquisition and dissemination of weapons, incitement to rebel against the state, and delivering inflammatory speeches. Upon his arrest, he was found in possession of numerous revolutionary materials, including copies of his own prohibited publications.

During the journey back to India, Savarkar made a daring attempt to flee from the steamship SS Morea and seek asylum in France while it was docked in the port of Marseilles. Despite his efforts, French port officials ultimately returned him to the British authorities.

He was Sentenced for 50 Years Imprisonment and Shifted to India’s most feared and formidable colonial prisons that ever existed, i.e. Cellular Jail or Kaala Paani in Port Blair.

Earlier known as Port Blair Airport, it was renamed in 2002 after Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who had been detained in the Cellular Jail in the city for 11 years during India’s freedom struggle. It operates as a civil enclave, sharing airside facilities with INS Utkrosh of the Indian Navy.

Historical Fact

Savarkar Mercy Petitions & Life After Jail

This is one of the most controversial section because some historians said that He wrote mercy petitions for better jail treatment and regarding his health and some said that “He actually ready to work under Britishers”.

He wrote several mercy petitions to the British authorities during his imprisonment. In these petitions, he expressed remorse and sought clemency, pleading for a reduction in his sentence or for his release. Savarkar’s exact words in these petitions varied, but he typically emphasized his desire to reform and his commitment to abide by the law if granted freedom.

He also often highlighted his health conditions and personal hardships as reasons for mercy. Many of his supporters say that “Mercy petition was just a way to release from jail so that he can fight against British on ground again”.

On 6 January 1924, He was released from jail and Restricted to Ratnagiri and He Got a Bungalow and Visitors are too allowed to meet him but He was given a instructions to not write or speak against Britishers.

He also Met Mahatma Gandhi & BR Ambedkar after his release from Jail.

After his release, He worked for Hindu Unity and He assailed the British proposals for transfer of power, attacking both the Congress and the British for making concessions to Muslim separatists. He opposed Quit India Movement and Write a letter to all people who are fighting for Britishers and advised him to “Stick to their Posts”.

Killing of Mahatma Gandhi & Reasons behind It

On January 30, 1948, Nathuram Godse fatally shot Gandhi at Birla House, New Delhi. Although initially implicated in the conspiracy, Savarkar and his co-conspirators, including Godse, were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

Factors fueling Savarkar’s animosity toward Gandhi included Gandhi’s perceived endorsement of casteism, his advocacy for non-violent resistance despite harsh British repression, and his role in the partition of India, notably his controversial decision to allocate funds to Pakistan.

What were the reasons that Gandhi was so hated?

1. Gandhi supported Casteism and called Shudra as Harijan. While Savarkar believed that this is how Hinduism is dividing or we should eliminate casteism but Gandhi stuck to his views. 

2. Gandhi wanted to march with everyone even if it led to slavery…The Britishers punished our freedom fighters so badly that many of freedom fighters died during their trial period in Kaala Paani or Cellular Jail & Story of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Raj guru. When they were hanged 1 Day before by breaking the law. But Still Gandhi wanted Indians to protest with Non-Violence.

3. Savarkar was against Partition & he blamed Gandhi for it…& after that the decision of Gandhi to give 55 crores to Pakistan made him more angry. It is against the wish of Nehru, Patel & All of the Indian leaders but Gandhi did not listen to anyone or force to give 55 crores.

Later, with the same money, Pakistan bought ammunition instead of sending his own army. They sent Afghan militants to Attack on Kashmir & Till today, due to the urgent cease fire done by Nehru, We lost POK(Pakistan Occupied Kashmir).

Mahān Opinion on Savarkar

He was Extremist Hindu Leader because as a Hindu, I don’t want to built my country great on the heads of other religion people. Savarkar wanted a separate nations for Sikhs, Hindus & Muslims & Look, all the majority Islamic Countries. Did they have Peace?

We are diverse that’s the beauty of India. We Got Chance to Celebrate Holi, Diwali, Meethi Eid, Christmas & Lohri.

He also talked about “Akhand Bharat(United India)” but by saying or comparing Indian Muslims to German Jews. We can’t Peaceful India or United India. It will create further divide and hatred towards other religions.

Savarkar did a lot of work for waking up Hindus and by eliminating useless systems Like “Caste System” which is still existing today.

But In the End, Its just about Ideologies…Savarkar believes in Aggressive Approach whether Gandhi believed in Idealistic Approach.