Vinayak Damodar Savarkar Biography 
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was an Indian pro-independence activist, politician, writer and thinker. Savarkar created the term Hindutva and stood against partition of society based on castes. He supported dismantling the system of caste in Hindu culture. The five elements of his philosophy were Utilitarianism, Rationalism & Positivism, Humanism & Universalism, Pragmatism and Realism. His contributions also include student societies like Abhinav Bharat Society and the Free India Society. A few publications also own to him which emphasized on Indian freedom through revolutionary means. But last, not the least, Savarkar was one of those accused in the assassination of India’s greatest leader, Mahatma Gandhi. He was acquitted as the charges could not be proven. Yet debates are still going on about his participation in that conspiracy. After the process, Congress people including Nehru stood away from this political activist.
Vinayak was born in Bhagur, near Nasik. During his youth days, he organised a youth group called Mitra Mela which encouraged revolutionary principles to fight for India’s freedom. He was inspired by the new generation of radical political leaders namely Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal and Lala Lajpat Rai. In 1905, during Dussehra he formed a political outfit called Abhinav Bharat. After completing degree, he went to England to study law, on a scholarship. It was during this time when Garam Dal, an organization split from Congress ideologies formed. After a lot of studies about India’s first freedom struggle against British, he published The Indian War of Independence. The book accusing the Britsih rule was banned by British authorities. In 1910, he was arrested for his revolutionary activities. Following a failed attempt to escape, Savarkar was sentenced to 50 years imprisonment and transported on 4 July 1911 to the infamous Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
It was during this time when he wrote the books on his principles of Hindutva. Later was released in 1921 under restrictions after signing a plea. He found the Ratnagiri Hindu Sabha, aiming to work for the social and cultural preservation of Hindu heritage and civilization. He travelled nationwide and delivered speeches too. He was one among those who opposed Quit India Movement. He stood against India-Pakistan partition too. Later he was accused over the assassination of Gandhiji though there was no enough proof against him.
Published: N/A
Updated: June 12, 2018
