Economic Dimension of Hindutva, Part 7; Savarkar’s Economic Principles (3/13)
India’s economic foundation has long been rooted in agriculture, with rural communities playing a pivotal role in the nation’s progress. Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar, a visionary thinker and nationalist, recognized the indispensable contribution of the peasantry and the working class. He believed that empowering these groups was not only a matter of economic policy but also a crucial step toward national integration and strength.
A Balanced Approach to Economic Growth
Savarkar’s 12 principles laid out a framework aimed at strengthening both urban and rural labor forces. Like Giuseppe Mazzini, he understood that garnering the support of workers was essential for national progress. However, he also foresaw the growing influence of industrial labor and stressed the need for a balanced economic model that accounted for both sectors. In his view, any viable economic strategy had to include policies that supported both agricultural workers and industrial laborers.
Savarkar advocated for an economic approach that harmonized labor-intensive and capital-intensive industries. He recognized the necessity of technical modernization but emphasized that progress should not come at the expense of the rural workforce. Instead, he promoted a model that safeguarded and uplifted both the peasantry and industrial workers, viewing them as the primary sources of national wealth, health, and strength.
Economic Empowerment and Military Potential
For Savarkar, the peasantry and working class were not just economic contributors but also vital human resources for national security. He saw these communities as a significant recruitment pool for the military, further underscoring their importance to India’s stability and growth. Consequently, he called for deliberate efforts to rejuvenate their economic standing.
Villages, the heartlands of the peasantry, required focused economic policies to ensure sustainable development. Savarkar stressed that farmers and laborers must receive a fair share of national wealth, enabling them to move beyond subsistence living and enjoy a dignified standard of life. This was not merely an act of economic justice but a necessity for national progress.
Rights and Responsibilities: A Two-Way Commitment
While Savarkar championed the protection and upliftment of the working class, he also underscored their responsibilities. He believed that these groups must be prepared to take on national duties, as they formed the backbone of the country. Economic rights, in his perspective, should be aligned with responsibilities—those who contribute to national prosperity should rightfully share in its rewards.
Thus, achieving a balance between rights and responsibilities became, in Savarkar’s vision, a core task for India’s future economic policies. A nation that ensures economic justice for its workers while fostering a sense of duty among them would be well-positioned for sustainable growth and security.
Final Thoughts
Savarkar’s economic vision remains highly relevant today, as India continues to balance rural development with industrial expansion. His insights into the interplay between agriculture, industry, and national strength highlight the need for inclusive economic policies that empower all segments of society. By recognizing and supporting the peasantry and working class, India can continue to build a resilient and prosperous future, just as Savarkar envisioned.
Do you think India today has achieved the balance between rural development and industrial growth that Savarkar envisioned? Savarkar linked economic empowerment of peasants and workers to national security. Do you agree that economic strength directly enhances military strength? Why or why not? If you had to choose, which deserves greater focus in India’s development right now—rural upliftment or industrial expansion? Do you see echoes of Savarkar’s principles in today’s government policies on agriculture and labor? In your view, what is the single biggest challenge India’s peasantry faces today—and how would Savarkar address it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Sources:
DESHPANDE, Sudhakar. 1999. Savarkar. The Prophetic Voice. Dastane Ramchandra & Co.: Pune.
KRÜGER, Horst. 1985. Anfänge sozialistischen Denkens in Indien. Der Beginn der Rezeption sozialistischer Ideen vor 1914. Band II. Akademie-Verlag: Berlin.
PATWARDHAN, V. S. 1989. „Savarkar’s Economic Thinking“, in PHAKE, Sudhir/PURANDARE, B. M. and Bindumadhav JOSHI. (Eds.). 1989. Savarkar. Savarkar Darshan Pratishtnah (Trust): Bombai (Mumbai), 118-122.
PHADTARE, T. C. 1975. Social and Political Thought of Shri V.D. Savarkar. A Thesis submitted to the Marathwada University for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Unpublished: Aurangabad.
ROTHERMUND, Dietmar. 1985. Indiens wirtschaftliche Entwicklung. Von der Kolonialherrschaft bis zur Gegenwart. Schöningh (UTB): Paderborn.
ROTHERMUND, Dietmar. 1983. The Indian Economy under British Rule and other Essays. Manohar: New Delhi.
SAVARKAR, Vinayak Damodar .2007. Hindu Rashtra Darshan. Bharat Bhushan. Abhishek Publications: New Delhi.
SAVARKAR, Vinayak Damodar. 1945. Hindu Rashtravad. Being an Exposition of the Ideology & Immediate Programme of Hindu Rashtra as outlined by Swatantrayaveer V.D. Savarkar. Rohtas Printing Press: Rohtak. (Collected & Edited by Satya Prakash).
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