‘He took on the Mahatma’ so Modi goes to get ashes

The handout seeks to provide biographical information on Varma on the occasion of Modi’s visit to Geneva to bring back the freedom-fighter’s ashes. It’s effusive in its praise of Varma: ‘‘Our Shyamji declared his support to the Boer freedom fighters, and condemned the act of Gandhiji for supporting the British. That was Shyamji Krishna Varma — determined in his thoughts, fearless and candid.’’

Describing Varma as a fearless journalist, it recalls how he had once told one Virchand Gandhi who had gone to Chicago to participate in a world religion conference that ‘‘the Jain religion may be great, but its preaching of non-violence is not acceptable to me at present.’’

The official statement also describes Varma as a most revered and respected figure among Indian revolutionaries, next only to Subhash Chandra Bose.

‘‘Shyamji was like a burning torch among other freedom fighters such as Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Madanlal Dhingra, Sardarsinh Rana, Gyanchandra Sharma, Hardayal, V.V.S. Aiyar, and Madame Cama,’’ it says.

The relase also says Shyamji was the source of inspiration for other revolutionaries, being the first to set up a centre for armed revolution activity on foreign soil.

Varma is also described as a visionary ‘‘who charted a seven-point agenda’’ explaining the real meaning of ‘non-cooperation’ to seek freedom from British rule, which included non-participation in any British activity, not joining the (British) army, not accepting gifts or rewards from Englishmen, not following British law, discarding British education and boycotting the courts.