Dear all,
After the unveiling of portrait of Veer Savarkar in the
Indian Parliament in February 2003 there was a lot of mudslinging against him
in the English newspapers. Although my reply to such false accusations was
published in BJP Today of
I have therefore attached a file entitled ' Savarkar -
unknown facts.' for your reference.
The main accusation is this - Savarkar apologised for his
deeds to seek release from jail in
[As a typical example see June 2003 Savarkar special issue
of the RSS weekly Vivek from Mumbai. Article entitled Gandhi and Savarkar by
Arun Sarathi. He says on page 39 - It is true that Savarkar asked for clemency.
Sarathi gives no proof, no date, did not quote Savarkar's words. What a shame!
]
Here are the facts -
Savarkar was sentenced to Transportation for Life, TWICE and
sent to
At the time of the First World War Savarkar did write to Mr
Montague, the then Secretary of State for
(a)
(b) In return Indian revolutionaries would cease all
hostilities and help
The Governor General eventually replied, " In the
present circumstances it is impossible to give effect to your suggestion."
NO PLEA FOR CLEMENCY HERE.
Due to outcry about prison conditions on the
I hope this information is of use to you and your friends.
Vande Mataram
V
1906
Savarkar came to
* Gandhi came to
Gandhi had no
reason to visit the India House, a house in Highgate,
* Savarkar soon
established contacts with revolutionaries of countries such as
1909
Despite having
passed his examinations in July, Savarkar was not called to the Bar by the
benchers of
Gandhi was once
again in
In his speech
Gandhi said, “Though I have my differences with Savarkar, I consider it a great
honour to be in his company today.” Referring to the fact that Savarkar was not
called to the bar, Gandhi said, “May India bear the fruits of his sacrifices.”
1911-1921
Savarkar was
sentenced to Transportation for Life twice to be served in succession
on
The main charge
against him was ‘waging war against the King Emperor.’ No other leader
was charged with this offence.
According to
prison rules, regulations, customs and practice Savarkar should have been
allowed to settle on the islands after three years. But the British
Administration kept him in jail for more than 10 years and then sent him back
to mainland
1921-1924
Savarkar was kept
in various jails in India.
In 1923, Savarkar
was sent to Yerawada Jail in Pune. Gandhiji was also kept in the same jail, but
the two were not allowed to meet.
In January 1924,
Savarkar was released from jail on the conditions that for five years he will
live in Ratnagiri and will not take part in politics. As a coincidence,
Gandhiji had to undergo an operation of Appendicitis and was
released in
February.
1924-1937
Savarkar was
interned in a remote place called Ratnagiri, which had no Railway and
telephones. He was welcomed by members of Ratnagiri Congress Party. In his
immediate discussions with his well-wishers he expressed regret that some 35 of
his compatriots were living in exile, four of them were Muslims.
As Savarkar could
not take part in politics, he concentrated on social issues. He lived in a
house rented from one Balasaheb Kher, a former member of Savarkar’s secret
society – the Abhinav Bharat. When India became independent in 1947, Kher
became Chief Minister of Bombay Province and later he was appointed Indian High
Commissioner in London (1951-54)
1924
March
Savarkar’s
articles about impending danger to Hindus in Sind province was published. In it
Savarkar wrote, “Oh Muslims, remember what happened recently in Mecca when
Sindhi Muslims went on Haj pilgrimage! How much they were insulted and
humiliated by Arab Muslims. Who will come to your rescue? Hindus. So, it is in
your interest to stop your religious fanaticism.”
July
Savarkar stressed
the need for emancipation of the untouchables and worked for the same
incessantly during his internment.
December
Jatpat Todak
Mandal (Society for the abolition of the caste system), Lahore elected Savarkar
as President for their annual session, but he could not attend due to
restrictions on him.
1927
Savarkar was in
internment in Ratnagiri. Gandhi, while on tour of Maharashtra, happened to
visit that town. As Savarkar was ill, he invited Gandhi to his house. Gandhi
and his wife Kasturaba gladly accepted the invitation on 8 March.
In response to a
civic reception given by Ratnagiri Municipality, Gandhi said,
“ As Ratnagiri is
the birth place of Lokamanya Tilak, it is a place of pilgrimage to all Indians.
I wanted to visit this place because, in addition, it is also a place where
Savarkar lives. I had previously met him in London. I admire his patriotism and
sacrifices. As he is in internment, it was my duty to come to Ratnagiri to meet
him.” (Ratnagiri Era pp129/130)
May 1
Savarkar’s book ‘My
Transportation for life’ describing his experiences of jail life on the
Andaman Islands, was published in Marathi. Here are some important passages
conveniently ignored by his opponents.
1911 – July 4
Savarkar met his
jailor Mr Barrie. During their conversation Barrie said, “ You see I am not
English but Irish….”
Savarkar, “ Well,
even if had been English I would not have despised or hated you for that. I
have spent few years of my youth in England and admire many of their national
characteristics. “
1914 onwards
Savarkar
organised the political prisoners and started to raise their voice against filthy
conditions, poor quality food and lack of amenities. Hindus were particularly
badly treated. He said, “ When we fought for better life for Hindus we also
took side of Muslim prisoners too, when required. By our agitation we brought
about changes in prison life. That benefited Hindus as well as Muslims who
therefore developed a respect for us.”
Savarkar
witnessed how Muslims were forcing their religion on Hindus by the most brutal
means with the connivance of the prison authorities. He mounted an agitation
against this practice and started re-conversion of those forcibly converted to
Islam back to Hindu Dharma. This was called Shuddhi.
He said, “ In
this chapter, and in others I had to mention repeatedly the fanaticism and
barbarity of Muslims. That is unfortunate, but majority of Muslim prisoners
were religious zealots. But those Muslims who were not religious fanatics will
testify how friendly I was with them.”
“ It must be said
that not only the ordinary Muslims but even the fanatic Muslims developed a
deep respect for me. Because, apart from our quarrel over their proselytization
activities I took their side against the prison authorities just as I did for
Hindu prisoners. I supported their legitimate demands and fought for their grievances
too.”
“Moreover, we
political prisoners were trying to improve conditions in prison and try to
remove utterly harsh life. As a result we suffered un-describable punishments.
The reforms we brought about as a result of our agitation were beneficial to
Hindus as well as Muslims. It would have been surprising if those fanatical
Muslims had not developed a sense of respect and gratitude for us.”
“ Every one has
right to propagate their religion by preaching. But Muslims always resort to
gangsterism, violence, murder, kidnapping and rape to spread Islam. That will
not be tolerated. Muslims must accept that we Hindus too have right to preach
our religion and convert Muslims to our religion.”
He wrote “I
always maintained that Shuddhi (re-conversion) and Sanghatan (organisation of
Hindus) are essential for achieving Hindu Muslim unit. That is why I first took
a case of forcible conversion to Islam in 1913 and have been fighting for the
same cause ever since. I must stress that I never hated or despised Muslims,
Christians or even the tribal people. I only denounce the tendency of Muslims
to impose their religion on others by barbarous means.”
With persistent
efforts the tide of Muslim aggression turned. By 1920, Savarkar wrote, “ Those
Muslims who had terrorised us Hindus in the past feared that Hindus will now
seek revenge. That was reflection of their behaviour. It had never been in the
blood of Hindus to behave rudely towards others. I must emphasise that we
always treated fairly any ordinary Muslims and those who were free from
religious fanaticism. I taught many of them to read and write. I wrote
applications of many Muslim prisoners. I always did things to improve their
life with whatever little influence I had in prison. I am sure they will
testify to that.”
Note -
Unfortunately Savarkar’s book ‘My transportation for life’ was published
in Marathi only in 1927. It was vital that English version should have been
published for wider publicity but that did not happen and when Gujarati
translation was published in 1934 the book was banned by British Authorities in
Bombay Province. The English version was not published till 1950.
1929
* Bhagatsingh and
Rajguru, two well-known revolutionaries secretly met Savarkar.
1931
* Mr Y B Chavan,
a youth of 16 made his way to Savarkar by begging for a lift and food from his
home place of Karad. He later became the Chief Minister of Maharashtra state in
1960 and Indian Defence Minister in 1962. Under his direction, Government of
India started to compile ‘ Who’s Who of Indian Matryrs’. It was published in 3
volumes, in 1969, 1972 and 1973.
* On 22 February,
The famous Hindu temple ‘Patit Pavan Mandir’ was consecrated and declared open
by Savarkar to Hindus of all castes including the untouchables. There was no
other similar temple throughout India.
* On 25th
sixth annual conference of the Bombay Province Association for Removal of
Untouchability of was held in Ratnagiri. Savarkar was in chair. Delegates from
outside Ratnagiri could not believe the enormous social changes brought about
by Savarkar.
* In March, the
untouchables carried a Satyagraha for allowing entry into the Rama Temple in
Nasik. As Savarkar was interned in Ratnagiri, he could not go to Nasik. He
therefore sent a letter to High Caste Hindu residents of Nasik and appealed to
them to allow the untouchables in the temple. The Times (of London) published
the letter on 20 March 1931 and remarked “ A touching letter to Hindus”
* April 26
Somavanshi Mahars
(a former untouchable caste) held their conference in Patit Pavan Mandir.
Savarkar was in chair. Some 700 Mahars participated. They could not believe
that there was a Temple open to all Hindus including untouchables.
During the
conference some Mahars from Mumbai objected to the slogan “Hindu Dharma ki jai”
or Glory to the Hindu Dharma. After discussion with Savarkar they changed their
minds and shouted, “Hindu Dharma ki jai.”
July
Savarkar’s
younger brother Dr Narayanrao had started a magazine called Shraddhanand in
which Savarkar’s articles were regularly published. During Gandhi’s Salt
Satyagraha of 1930, Government of India banned Shraddhanand. Dr Narayanrao
therefore started a new magazine called Hutatma Shraddhanand in July 1931. It
started to publish Savarkar’s autobiography. After publication of two parts
Governor of Bombay province warned, “ Mr Savarkar, by writing your
autobiography you are breaking the conditions of your release on internment.
You MUST NOT WRITE your memoirs.” Savarkar’s residence was searched by the
police but no further parts of the autobiography were found.
1932
April 9
Somavanshi Mahars
of Ratnagiri District held their conference in Ratnagiri. Savarkar was the
chief guest. At the end, the participants resolved that they will remain Hindus
and will NOT change their religion.
November 6
Savarkar declared
open, a Khadi Bhandar in Rajapur
December 10
Savarkar went to
Chiplun to attend performance of his drama – Sanyasta Khadga (abandoned sword).
After the performance he praised the actors, especially Deenanath Mangeshakar,
father of the famous singer Lata Mangeshakar. Deenanath and his wife were life
long devotees of Savarkar.
1933
Since December
1932 Savarkar had been in touch with Mr Gopalrao Deodhar of the All India
Anti-untouchability League (Maharashtra branch). Seth Ghanashyamdas Birla was
President of the League. He was prepared to spend 25,000 rupees for benefit of
untouchanbles of Maharashtra. Savarkar collected Rs 500 in Ratnagiri District
and Birla added Rs 1,000. The fund was utilised for housing, education,
building wells and other social benefits.
With incessant
efforts Savarkar managed to abolish the observance of untouchability in
Ratnagiri and on 22 February 1933, an effigy of untouchability was publicly
burned in that town.
* A Café for
all Hindus
Savarkar opened a
café for all Hindus in Ratnagiri on 1 May 1933. Tea, snacks and food were
served by an untouchable. Such a café was unthinkable at that time even in
industrial city like Mumbai.
1934
On 24 January,
Tarkathirtha Laxmanshastri Joshi, a left wing intellectual, delivered a lecture
in the famous Patit Pavan Mandir in Ratnagiri. He spoke on Sanatan Dharma and
ever surviving and growing Hindu Society. Savarkar was in the chair.
In January,
Savarkar visited Malvan to attend launching of the paper Kokan Samachar. Two
days after launching the paper Savarkar organised a ‘dining together of all
Hindus’ in Cinema House called Manohar. Muslims and Christians also attended
the ‘dining together’
1935
January
Yusuf Meher Ali,
a Muslim leader of Congress party from Mumbai called on Savarkar and visited
the café in Ratnagiri – open to all Hindus including untouchables. Mr Ali said
that he had not seen such a Café in the whole of India.
Prof Patwardhan
was one of those who opposed Savarkar’s views on purification of Marathi
language. He wrote, “ I was asked by editor of Vividh Dnyanvistar to write an
article criticising Savarkar. But I thought that before critising him I must
read his articles. The surprise was that when I studied his articles on
purification of Marathi language I became thoroughly convinced of his arguments
and became his staunch supporter.”
That has been the
tragedy of Savarkar. Our history would have changed substantially if only his
opponents had at least read his views. A well known follower of Gandhi made
such a confession in 1983.
1937
On 10 May 1937
Savarkar was released from internment unconditionally.
26 June
The daily paper
Lokamanya on page one published various comments from prominent Indian leaders.
Rajaji (Rajagopalachari) openly stated that he was inspired by the sacrifices
by Veer Savarkar. Rajaji had published a book a few years earlier entitled
‘Life of Barrister Savarkar.’ In 1947, Rajaji the became first Indian Governor
General of India after partition
* His biography
of Mazzini (in Marathi) was banned in 1908.
* The Drama
‘Usshyap’ was banned. in 1927.
* The magazine
Shrddhanand run by Savarkar’s brother and which carried Savarkar’s articles was banned on 10 May
1930.
* In July1931,
his biography in Urdu was banned by Punjab Govt followed by bans on biographies
in Tamil, Kannad, and Marathi. (R Era
pp248/9)
* My
Transportation for Life (in Marathi) was banned in 1934.
* November 1943
biography by S.L.Karandikar (in Marathi) was banned.
1938
April 6
Savarkar was
honoured by Lucknow City Corporation. He was welcomed by the mayor, Mr
Chaudhari of Muslim League.
July 7
Mumbai –
Sunderdas Medical College.
Savarkar
delivered a lecture on Indian War of Independence 1857. Programme was
arranged by Dr Jivraj Mehta of Congress Party. Mehta became Chief Minister of
Gujrat in 1960.
September 3-7
Savarkar visited
the city of Karachi ( now in Pakistan ) It was a majority Hindu city and as
such was governed by the Congress Party. Its members refused to honour
Savarkar, though the Muslim corporators were in favour of such a function.
December
Dwarakaprasad Mishra,
one of the ministers in the Congress Govt in Central Provinces, openly said
that he took inspiration from Savarkar.
1939
5 June
Savarkar was
publicly honoured by Jabalpur Municipality, which was controlled by Congress
Party.
July
Bose had to
resign as the President of the Congress Party due to the intrigues of Gandhi.
He toured India and was publicly honoured in Mumbai. Savarkar was in the chair.
1940
22 June
Subhash Chandra
Bose came to see Savarkar. He told Bose, “ Why do you waste time in your movement
to remove the monument to ‘ Blackhole of Calcutta ‘? A person like you should go out of India and
form an army out of our prisoners of war and attack the British from outside
the India. There are only two or three such men who can dare such an attempt.
But I have particularly high hopes about you.”
Bose eventually
did what Savarkar had asked by forming the Indian National Army (I.N.A) out of
the prisoners of war held by the Japanese.
1942
March
At the insistence
of the Americans, the British Government sent Sir Stafford Cripps Mission to
India. His scheme was far more dangerous than the partition being demanded by
Muslims. Savarkar openly challenged Cripps. And even Nehru showered praise on
Savarkar at that time in his paper, the National Herald (Keer 304/5)
August
On the 14th,
Governor Sir Henry Twickenham as Chancellor of Nagpur University conferred the
honorary degree of D Litt on Savarkar.
On the 15th
Nagpur City Corporation honoured Savarkar. Muslim corporators also attended.
1943
On 30 December,
I.N A of Subhashchandra Bose liberated Andaman Islands and flew the flag of
Free India. He paid respects to Savarkar and his compatriots who had suffered
in the Cellular jail.
1947
British were
forced to give independence to India, but at the same time, partitioned the
country.
Many leaders of
the Congress Party then were members of Savarkar’s secret society, The Abhinav
Bharat. They included Balasaheb Kher, the Chief Minister of Bombay Province,
Ravishankar Shukla, the Chief Minister of the Central Provinces, Sir Sikandar
Hyat Khan, the Chief Minister of Punjab and even Acharya J B Krupalani, the
President of the Congress Party!!
1952
10/11 May
In Pune, Savarkar
disbanded his revolutionary society – The Abhinav Bharat.
Tributes were
paid to those who died in armed conflicts against the English. from 1857 to
1947
On 10 May, an
exhibition of past revolutionaries was held in Tilak Smarak Mandir, Pune.
Keshavrao Jedhe, a Congress leader was in the chair. Savarkar delivered his
first lecture and explained why only the dead revolutionaries were being
remembered.
In the evening,
there was another public function in front of the Peshave Park, Pune. A huge
portrait of Subhash Chandra Bose was in place as Chairman. The meeting was
conducted by Senapati Bapat, a veteran Congress leader. Savarkar explained how
the revolutionaries forced the British to grant independence to India.
11 May
On the second
day, Savarkar expanded on the theme on the role of the revolutionaries.
12 May
Savarkar was
given a civic reception by Baburao Sanas, Congress Party Mayor on behalf of
Pune Municipal Corporation. Mr S G Barve, Commissioner of Pune City Corporation
was present. Barve became Finance Minister in The Government of Maharashtra in
1961.
1952/3
Savarkar delivered
his famous lectures ‘Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History’
On 8 February
1953, when the 5th lecture was delivered, Mr Bhaurao Heere, Revenue
minister in the Congress Govt of Bombay Province was in chair.
1954
Rajendra Prasad,
first President of India visited Andaman Islands. He saw the prison cell where
Veer Savarkar was imprisoned and bowed in respect.
1956
Birth centenary
of Lokamanya Tilak
All parties
formed a reception committee at Pune and invited Savarkar to deliver the main
speech. The celebrations were held in front of the famous historical place
Shaniwar Wada. [I was present at the function.] It was chaired by Lokanayak M S
Ane, a well-known Congress leader from Nagpur and attended by Baburao Sanas,
the former Mayor of Pune and a leader of Congress Party. Members of all other
parties were present on stage.
1957
12 May
Citizens of Delhi
celebrated the centenary of the 1857 war of independence against the rule of
the English East India Company. Main speaker and chief guest was Savarkar.
In the evening,
Savarkar was honoured in Maharashtra Samaj. Mr Narahari Vishnu (commonly called
Kaka or uncle) Gadgil, the former minister in Nehru’s cabinet was in the chair.
Gadgil became the Governor of Punjab a few months later
1958
In Mumbai, Savarkar
was publicly honoured on the occasion of his 75th birthday. The
Mayor of Mumbai, Comrade Mirajkar, presented a purse of Rs 11,001 to Savarkar.
Representatives of all political parties attended the function.
1960 / 61
In 1910, Savarkar
was sentenced to Transportation for Life, twice. Had it been his misfortune to
serve the lengths of these two sentences, he would have been released on 23
December 1960. There were celebrations throughout India, as Savarkar was still
alive. Savarkar’s health was poor, so he attended only one function, in Pune on
14 January 1961. Senapati Bapat, the veteran Congress leader, was in the chair.
Mr S.M Joshi, the well-known Socialist leader was also present.
Savarkar started
to speak in low voice. He said,” You have gathered in such large number to
honour me. But I am weak. I cannot speak for a long time. If I do, I get pain
in my stomach….” However, astonishingly enough, the tone of his speech changed
just after two minutes. He said, “ I don’t know from where, but I have got energy.”
In his speech, he emphasised that nobody cares for a country without strong
armed forces.
The audiotape is
worth listening. Even if you cannot understand Marathi the change in tone of
Savarkar was remarkable.
1962
Shree
Shreeprakash, Governor of Maharashtra called on Savarkar.
1964
Nehru died in
May. Within months, the Congress Party repented the years of neglect of
Savarkar and in October the Government of India sanctioned him a pension,
acknowledging his part in the Indian freedom struggle against the British rule.
1966
Self-immolation
of Savarkar. As soon as his death was announced, K M Munshi, founder President
of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, rushed to Savarkar’s house and paid his respects
(Bhavan’s journal June 2001, p19)
Munshi was Home
Minister in the first Congress Government of Bombay Province during 1937-39.
1970
Mrs Indira
Gandhi’s government issued a postal stamp in honour of Savarkar
1971
1972
Balarao Savarkar,
the private secretary to Veer Savarkar started to publish Savarkar’s biography
in four volumes. First part – Ratnagiri Era was published on 23 July. At the
publication ceremony, Mr Balasaheb Desai, a well-known Congress leader was
present. Desai was formerly the Home Minister of Bombay Province and later of
Maharashtra province. Justice Bhole of the Scheduled caste was also present at
the ceremony.
Documentary on
Savarkar.
Janata Government
was in power in Delhi from April 1977 to January 1980.
One Dr Kishor of
Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) sent a letter to Minister for Information and
Broadcasting requesting that a documentary be made on Veer Savarkar.
Accordingly, a note landed on table of one Prem Vaidya of Films Division of
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It asked him to prepare a research
paper and submit a proposal. But there were some delays afterwards.
1978
Prem Vaidya was
selected to go for a training at the BBC, London. He decided to do his search
on Savarkar in London and therefore asked Mr S M Joshi, a well-known Socialist
leader from Pune for an introduction to Mr N G Gore, the then Indian High
Commissioner in London. Gore was also a Socialist. Joshi gladly obliged.
In London, Vaidya
met Mr Sonapatki, an Architect working for the Greater London council. They
visited all the important places and Vaidya took pictures with his camera.
1980
In February India
Gandhi came back to power in Delhi.
1982
1983
February 25 –
Prem Vaidya starts his shooting of documentary on Savarkar to cover the period
of Savarkar’s imprisonment on the Andaman Islands.
26th February was
death anniversary of Veer Savarkar. Well-known Marathi writer Purushottam
Laxman Deshpande was on Andaman Islands. He visited the cell where Savarkar was
kept and was overwhelmed by emotions. The cell was only 13 by 7 foot. Deshpande
then addressed the Maharashtrians who had gathered outside the cell and made a
powerful speech. It was astonishing that a Socialist and admirer of Gandhi and
Nehru all his life could make such a speech and pay tributes to Savarkar.
Deshpande made
following points –
* The punishments
suffered by Savarkar are described in his book ‘My Transportation for Life’ However,
it is my conviction that he has not described even 10% of what he actually
suffered, because he did not want pity or sympathy. He wanted the youth to come
forward and say – ‘I too am prepared to suffer like Savarkar for our nation.’
* Persons like
Savarkar can never die by any vicious attacks, or neglect or propaganda against
them. They are self-made. They live like the great Banyan trees providing
comforts to others in their hour of need.
* We need to
think how his thoughts could be spread in all the Indian languages.
* So much has
happened here that every Indian should come here in bow in respect of freedom
fighters like Savarkar.
Deshpande
concluded his speech by saying, “ To remind our people every year, there should
be a day of celebrations, right here in the Cellular Jail on national level.
And it should be presided by the highest authority of the country.”
May
Government of
India documentary on Veer Savarkar was passed by the Board of Censor for
release in English and 15 Indian languages
29th
The Indian
Express commented
“ Despite its
shortcomings Prem Vaidya’s VEER SAVARKAR is easily the most interesting and
significant of May’s Films Division documentaries. Beginning with his death on
February 26, 1966 the film traces the origin and stormy life of this militant
freedom-fighter who among other things thought that World War II was a blessing
for Indians to get military training for their way of independence….”
London
Veer Savarkar
Birth Centenery Celebrations Committee (SBCCC) was formed in London by the
following –
Mr V S Godbole, a
Civil Engineer from Bedford.
Bhaskarrao Gadre,
RSS chief of Pune.
Mr Satyanarayan,
RSS chief of U.K
Mr
The committee was
later joined by the British Labour Party veterans, Lord Fenner Brockway, Rt
Honourable Reginald Freeson, M.P, Mr Richard Walfe; Member of the European
Parliament and Mr P Pendse, former Lord Mayor of London Borough of Brent.
1984
1 March
N T Ramarao, the
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh saw them film VEER SAVARKAR in his own
studio-theatre in Bhagyanagar (Hyderabad). He commented, “ I very much wanted
to meet this great man during my younger days but could not. I am moved by this
film.’
NTR was himself a
filmmaker.
23 March
A reputed
documentary film-maker from Chennai – Shree Ravi Varma wrote Prem Vaidya, “
Yesterday there was a projection of your film ‘Veer Savarkar’ at Max Muller
Bhavan under the auspices of the Savarkar Centenary Committee. It has turned
out to be a great film – Every Indian should be compulsorily shown this film …
A very effective and touching approach to the subject, touches not only the
heart but it makes the viewer think….I hope the films on freedom-fighters which
is on the anvil of Films Division would be a honest as your film and just not end
as propaganda stuff …”
On 4 April, Times
of India described Prem Vaidya’s documentary on Veer Savarkar as the Best
documentary of the year.
On 26 April, Prem
Vaidya’s documentary on Veer Savarkar was given the Filmfare’s award and the
Diploma at the Tashkent Film Festival.
April / May
SBCCC held public
functions in Leicester, Birmingham and Manchester
Mr Godbole
explained Savarkar’s work when he was in London (1906-1910)
SBCCC appealed to
the Greater London Council (GLC) to put up a plaque on 65 Cromwell Avenue,
known as India House, while Savarkar stayed there for three years. As per the
official procedure, the Historical Monuments Committee of the GLC made
enquiries about Savarkar and decided to consider granting the request for a
plaque only after having concluded that Savarkar was indeed a great historical
person who should be honoured.
May 10
Members of Films
Division of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India
formed Films Division Rasik Mandal. They invited Shree P L Deshpande renowned
Maratha Litterateur for inauguration ceremony. To their surprise P L talked
about Film Division’s production on revolutionary Savarkar and the involvement
of the staff-members on this memorable documentary. At the end of his speech,
he presented Shree Prem Vaidya, the producer, a book – Five Stormy Years –
Savarkar in London, written by Dr Hareendra Srivastava of New Delhi.
6 June
Indians paid
homage to Savarkar in Committee Room number 14 of the British Houses of
Parliament.
The meeting began
with Savarkar’s famous song, ‘ jayostute shree mahan mangale shivaspade
shubhade.’
Welcoming the
participants, Rt Honourable Reg Freeson, M.P (Labour) said,
“ We are not just
allowing you to hold a meeting here, we are in fact inviting you to have your celebrations
here.”
Lord Brockway,
97, just four years younger than Savarkar, was unable to attend. His message
was read out by Mr Freeson. It read, “ We are right in celebrating the
centenary of the birth of Veer Savarkar. It is difficult to describe his service
to Indian freedom. First, he gave inspiration by his books, using biography of
Mazzini, as an example to India. He differed from Gandhiji in urging an armed
struggle. About this we may differ, but Savarkar inspired many by his own
sacrifices. He was sentenced to transportation for life. It was characteristic
of him that he asked whether the British Raj would last that long. He not only
opposed the British occupation of India but also took a leading part in seeking
to end the ranks among Indians including the untouchability. Savarkar announced
that he was retiring from public life in 1948, but in fact he carried on. He
was 83 when he died and all of us who have taken any part in India’s struggle
must remember him.”
Richard Balfe,
the Member of European Parliament (Labour) also attended the meeting, despite
his busy schedule with another election campaign for European Parliament just
eight days away. He said, “ It was a great pity that Savarkar had to spend 27
years in jail and internment. If not, Indian politics would have taken a
different direction, adopted a different strategy and philosophy. He faced the
wrath of the British press, but stood up courageously. When you know you are
right, you invariably come out successfully in the end. People respect those
who have firm convictions of justice and righteousness of their cause. Savarkar
was such a man.”
Mr Sonapatki read
a message from John Taylor Caldwell. It said, “ I am pleased to learn that a
plaque and a bust will be erected to perpetuate the memory of Veer Savarkar. My
association with Savarkar was through my senior colleague Guy Aldred.”
“ In 1910, Aldred
and Savarkar shared the same prison; Aldred for printing a banned Indian
Nationalist paper, and Savarkar awaiting deportation to India to face trial for
waging war against His Majesty’s Government.”
“The friendship
between the two lasted over fifty years. They both believed in an ultimate
universal state embracing all mankind, and wherein all men and women would be
equal citizens.”
Mr Sonapatki also
said, “ What a wonderful coincidence that in this Parliament, once the British
Prime Minister Lord Salisbury declared ‘we must bleed India and the lancets
should be applied to those parts where the blood is the thickest.’ And in the
very same Parliament, we are paying respects to Veer Savarkar who played a
great part in the Indian freedom struggle from the British rule.”
Concluding the
ceremony, Mr Godbole thanked all the participants and contributors. He
specially thanked councillor Norman Howard of Greater London Council (GLC) by
whose efforts the council has agreed to put up a plaque on India House in
London where Savarkar lived during 1906-09. Godbole also said that in the
1960s, due to Savarkar’s inspiration, a well-known universal prayer was formalised,
to be sung at such functions. The meeting ended with that prayer sung by Mrs
Barve namely, sarva mangala mangalyam
devi sarvartha sadhikam
June 20
Dr Lakshmi
Sehgal, formerly Captain Lakshmi, of Rani Jhansi Regiment of Subhashchandra
Bose’s Indian National Army – saw Prem Vaidya’s documentary on Savarkar and
commented, “It should be widely shown to children all over the country.”
1985
8 June
A commemorative
plaque of Veer Savarkar was fixed by the GLC on the house, previously known as
‘India House’ where Savarkar had stayed. It was inaugurated by Labour Party
Peer Lord Fenner Brockway aged 97. People in the audience requested him to sit
in chair while addressing the crowd. He refused, stood up and spoke eloquently
for three minutes. He said, “ I am proud to unveil this plaque but this should
have been done your Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.”
Sunil Gavaskar,
the famous Indian cricketer was also present. He considered it a great honour
to witness the ceremony.
BBC broadcast
this news on the programme Nayi Jindgai Naya jeevan.
23 August
Prem Vaidya,
producer of documentary on Savarkar received the following letter from Shri K
Prabhakar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra after screening two documentaries :
Against the current and Veer Savarkar.
“… I greatly
enjoyed seeing these films and felt that both of them have considerable
potential for being used as effective material with a view to acquainting the
younger generation with freedom-struggle and the spirit of adventure.
The technical
quality of the films and the sensitive manner in which the subject has been
dealt with was particularly impressive.
I trust you would
be able to persuade the concerned authorities in the Central and State
Governments to arrange for the exhibition of these films in educational and
other institutions at an increasing scale, both in Maharashtra as well as in
other States of the country.
I would also
suggest that you could undertake a series of films on freedom-fighters and
various episodes in the struggle for independence. Such material will, I am
sure, help to inspire contemporary and future generations of Indians
And also comprise
an excellent historical record. “
( Governor’s
letter ref 796/PS/G/85)
1986
Barrister
Vitthalrao Gadgil was a minister in the cabinets of Indira Gandhi and also
Rajiv Gandhi. He wrote an article about Savarkar’s case at the International
Court of Justice at The Hague in 1911. He said, “I am publishing this judgement
to show my deep respect for Savarkar.” It was published in a Special issue of
Savarkar Pratishthan of Mumbai.
1997
Pune
28 May –
Presentation of the first Veer Savarkar Award for promotion of national
security awareness and strategic thinking. At the award ceremony General Roy
Chaudhuri referred to his visit to the Andaman Cellular jail and the cell where
Savarkar was kept in confinement. General Chaudhuri said that the list of
people, who were banished to the Kala Pani and suffered for their
patriotism is incomplete. Not all names have been traced and inscribed there.
The army chief pleaded for their recognition to all those, who undertook the
armed struggle for India’s independence.
(Ref :- The
Times of India June 2, 1997)
-------
Compiled by Dr V
S Godbole on 10 May 2003, revised 12 August 03,
20 January, 4
July, 19 September, 13 and 16 November, 12 and 26 December 2004, 9 January, 5,
7, 15, 22 and 29 April 2005.