Explain in brief the significance and contribution of Veer Savarkar in Indian freedom struggle movement.
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar believed and advocated the use of arms to free India from the British and created a network of Indians in England, equipped with weapons. He founded the Abhinav Bharat Society and Free India Society towards this objective.
- He was involved in the Swadeshi movement
- The British Government withdrew his B.A. degree due to instigating patriotic speeches and activities by him
- In June 1906, Veer Savarkar, left for London to become Barrister
- He united and inflamed the Indian students in England against British rule in India
- Savarkar was arrested in London on March 13, 1910 and sent to India
- In 1920, many prominent freedom fighters including Vithalbhai Patel, Mahatma Gandhi and Bal Gangadhar Tilak demanded the release of Savarkar
- In Ratnagiri jail, Savarkar wrote the book Hindutva: who is hindu?
- Vinayak Savarkar was a president of Hindu Mahasabhafrom 1937 to 1943
On 1 February 1966, Savarkar renounced medicines, food and water and went into a condition termed as atmaarpan (fast until death). Before his death he had written an article titled “Atmahatya Nahi Atmaarpan” in which he argued that when one’s life mission is over and ability to serve the society is left no more, it is better to end the life at will rather than waiting for death.
Topics: GS-I: Modern Indian History & Freedom Struggle