A complex hero

It seems to me that he8217;s ignorant of India8217;s history as well and hasn8217;t even bothered to read Mahatma Gandhi8217;s writings on Savarkar. He should close the chapter for once and all by tendering an apology.

A word of caution for political parties and individuals involved in the row: They are insulting an ardent nationalist and patriot who was appreciated by Gandhi for his bravery and courage.

I have extensively researched official secret documents and have come to the conclusion that Savarkar was a legendary freedom fighter and a litterateur, who stirred pre-independent India8217;s consciousness with his fiery writings, patriotic poems and inspiring speeches.

Savarkar never collaborated with the British

There are no evidences to prove that Savarkar collaborated with the British for his release from jail. In fact, his appeal for release was a ruse. He was well aware of political developments outside and wanted to be a part of it. So he kept requesting for his release. But the British authorities did not trust him a bit.

Ex-superintendent of Cellular jail, J H Murray, had observed Savarkar very closely for over seven year. Hence authorities sought his opinion wherein he recommended not to release Savarkar unconditionally. He wrote, 8216;8216;But we can8217;t be sure about his mind. Don8217;t release him unconditionally.8217;8217;

Another British jailer wrote, 8216;8216;His assurance for cooperation is largely illusionary. Revolutionaries never learn and change.8217;8217;

Leaders like Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar too had appealed to the British to lift restriction on Savarkar, who was put under house arrest in Ratnagiri for 13 years. Elected members from various parties 8212; Dr M B Velkar and R D Pradhan had also forwarded resolutions demanding his release.

Even Mahatma Gandhi had urged the British in his article in Young India May 1920 to release Savarkar.

Why Savarkar, a secularist, turned Hindu fundamentalist

I am extremely critical of his Hindutva philosophy that he had adopted only after his release from jail. Most of us are unaware of this.

The inhuman treatment meted out to him by the Pathans at the cellular jail forced seachange in Savarkar8217;s thinking. There are harrowing accounts of physical and mental torture in his autobiography 8216;Majhi Janmathep8217; My Lifer. Many Hindus were converted forcefully by these pathans.

However, the young Savarkar was a rationalist Hindu he remined one till he died, who wrote in his articles that cow was just an useful animal and ridiculed rituals like yagya. Orthodox Hindus hated him.

Savarkar even ridiculed the RSS for its motto 8216;organisation for the sake of organisation8217;. Obviously they didn8217;t like his criticism, rationalism and efforts of abolishing untouchability.

Savarkar built Patit Pawan Madir in Ratnagiri exclusively for lower castes. Even Muslims were allowed to visit the temple.

Savarkar never hated Gandhi

Gandhi and Savarkar held opposite views. But regardless of their ideological differences both respected each other for their patriotism. Savarkar helped Gandhi8217;s campaigns in South Africa through secret operations from London Abhinav Bharat moment.

Gandhi had also accepted Savarkar8217;s invitation to the Vijayadashmi programme in London Oct 1909.

In his speech, Savarkar said, 8216;8216;India, which is like a rainbow, will prosper only if it aquires support from all 8212; Muslims, Parsis and Jews.8217;8217;

8216;8216;I8217;m proud to have sat next to Savarkar. India will continue to have sweet fruits of his patriotism,8217;8217; Gandhi spoke from the same dais, adding, 8216;8216;Savarkar8217;s was the fine example of inspiring oratory.8217;8217;

BJP/RSS/Sena are very conveniently exploiting Savarkar8217;s Hindutva.

It8217;s sad that Savarkar had to face trial in Gandhi assassination. He was opposed to Gandhi8217;s idea of non-violence and India8217;s partition. The assassin, Nathuram Godse, himself had testified that Savarkar had no role to play in his heinous act.

Don8217;t deny Savarkar a place in history

Savarkar fought for independence in his own way. He didn8217;t believe in Gandhi8217;s 8216;purity of means8217; theory. Instead he adopted ways of tackling tyrant enemy in a ruthless manner 8212; putting his own life at stake.

Even Lokmanya Tilak, also had ideologiocal differenced with the Mahatma, had written in a letter to Gandhi, 8216;8216;Politics is not a game of sadhus.8217;8217;

The writer is a veteran historian of Maharashtra. He spoke to Dharmendra Jore