The Whirlwind

(4/5) Understanding Savarkar’s Vision

Portrait of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar juxtaposed with symbolic imagery of India’s political and ideological history, including maps, figures, and press clippings, representing the dualities of unity and conflict in the Hindutva narrative.

Decoding a Complex Political Legacy

Category 3: Political Statements

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, one of the most polarizing figures in Indian history, remains a subject of intense debate and analysis. His political ideology, writings, and leadership of the Hindu Mahasabha (HMS) have left an indelible mark on India’s socio-political landscape. This section explores Savarkar’s political journey, his key works, and the ideological foundations that shaped his vision for India.

Early Influences and Political Beginnings

Savarkar’s political consciousness was shaped by his early exposure to nationalist ideas through newspapers like Lokmanya Tilak’s Kesari and other Marathi publications. During his college years in Pune, he began articulating his thoughts on India’s social and political conditions through his self-published handwritten weekly, Aryan Weekly. His writings during this period laid the groundwork for his later political philosophy.

After the ban on his political activities was lifted, Savarkar emerged as a prominent leader of the HMS. His political thought, initially expressed through historical and socio-critical writings, evolved into a more programmatic approach, primarily articulated through his Presidential Addresses, statements, and interviews.

Key Works and Ideological Foundations

Savarkar’s political writings can be categorized into several key works, each contributing to his vision of a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu Nation).

  1. Hindutva – Who is a Hindu?
    Published in 1923, Hindutva is Savarkar’s most influential work, often regarded as the cornerstone of his political thought. Written during his imprisonment and house arrest in Ratnagiri, this treatise defines a Hindu as someone who considers India their fatherland (pitribhumi) and holy land (punyabhumi). Savarkar’s concept of Hindutva was a direct challenge to Gandhi’s inclusive nationalism, emphasizing a cultural and religious identity rooted in Hinduism.
    While Hindutva is central to understanding Savarkar’s ideology, it is only one part of a larger system of thought. To fully grasp his vision, one must also study his other works, such as Hindu-Pad-Padashahi, Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History, and The Indian War of Independence of 1857.
  2. Hindu-Rashtravad and Hindu-Rashtra Darshan
    These works outline Savarkar’s political program for establishing a Hindu Rashtra. Hindu-Rashtravad serves as a compact guide for the Hindu Sangathan Movement, advocating for Hindu unity and strength. Hindu-Rashtra Darshan, a compilation of his Presidential Addresses, provides a strategic roadmap for the HMS, emphasizing the need for a centralized Hindu state.
  3. Whirlwind Propaganda and Historic Statements
    These compilations document Savarkar’s efforts to mobilize Hindus and promote his political agenda. The Whirlwind Propaganda Tour chronicles his nationwide travels, during which he advocated for Hindu militarization, social reform, and the preservation of India’s territorial integrity. Historic Statements captures his later political activities, focusing on his opposition to the partition of India and his critique of the Indian National Congress (INC).

Savarkar’s Presidential Addresses: A Glimpse into His Political Strategy

Savarkar’s annual Presidential Addresses to the HMS provide valuable insights into his evolving political strategy and his responses to contemporary challenges.

  • 19th Session (1937, Karnavati): Savarkar expressed growing distrust of the Muslim community, accusing them of prioritizing allegiance to co-religionists outside India over building a shared state. He rejected minority protections that disadvantaged the Hindu majority, arguing that minorities should approach the majority for cooperation.
  • 20th Session (1938, Nagpur): While critical of Gandhi and the INC, Savarkar acknowledged Gandhi’s contributions to India’s political unification. However, he accused Muslims of undermining Hindu solidarity and blamed British policies for exacerbating communal divisions.
  • 21st Session (1939, Calcutta): Savarkar outlined a seven-point program for Hindu mobilization, emphasizing the need for territorial integrity, friendly relations with neighboring countries, and a Hindu-Buddhist alliance. He also called for unity among Hindus and non-Muslim minorities.
  • 22nd Session (1940, Madura): Savarkar highlighted the HMS’s growing influence, positioning it as a legitimate representative of Hindu interests. He accused the INC of hypocrisy and violence, while advocating for India’s militarization and industrialization.
  • 23rd Session (1941, Bhagalpur): This address reiterated Savarkar’s familiar themes, including his critique of Muslim “fanaticism” and his call for Hindu unity. However, it lacked new ideas, reflecting Savarkar’s declining health and the HMS’s stagnant political momentum.
  • 24th Session (1942, Cawnpore): Savarkar vehemently opposed the Cripps Mission’s proposal for provincial self-determination, fearing it would lead to India’s fragmentation. He outlined conditions for cooperation with the INC, emphasizing the need for a centralized state and proportional representation.

Following the categorised Key Themes in His Speeches

  • Minority Rights:
    • Savarkar expressed growing distrust of the Muslim community, emphasizing that minorities should approach the majority, not the other way around. He opposed special privileges or disproportionate political representation for minorities.
  • National Unity:
    • While critical of Gandhi and the Congress, Savarkar acknowledged their contributions to the independence struggle. He also critiqued the British policies that he believed were dividing India. He expressed a strong desire for a unified India.
  • Vision for Hindustan:
    • He advocated for the integration of Portuguese and French territories, friendly relations with neighboring countries, and a strong, independent Hindu state. He viewed Nepal as a crucial Hindu state.
  • Opposition to Partition:
    • Savarkar vehemently opposed the partition of India, viewing it as the division of the “sacred Indian motherland.” He criticized the Congress and the Muslim League for their roles in the partition.
  • Proportional Representation:
    • He strongly advocated for proportional representation, and that seats in government should be allocated based upon the percentage of the population of each group. He opposed any type of reservation, and insisted that all government jobs be based on merit.
  • Critique of Congress:
    • He was highly critical of the Congress, and Gandhi. He accused them of “pseudo-nationalism”, and of appeasing the Muslim minority.

Savarkar’s Vision for India

At the core of Savarkar’s political thought was the idea of a unified, indivisible India rooted in Hindu cultural and religious identity. He rejected the partition of India and opposed any form of minority appeasement that undermined Hindu interests. His vision for India included:

  1. Hindu Unity: Savarkar sought to consolidate Hindus into a cohesive political force, capable of countering external threats and internal divisions.
  2. Militarization and Industrialization: He believed that a strong, independent India required a robust military and industrial base.
  3. Proportional Representation: Savarkar advocated for political representation based on population share, rejecting demands for parity by religious minorities.
  4. Centralized State: He opposed provincial self-determination, fearing it would weaken India’s unity and integrity.

Legacy and Controversies

Savarkar’s legacy is deeply contested. While his supporters view him as a visionary who championed Hindu interests and India’s unity, critics accuse him of fostering divisive communal politics. His association with the HMS and his ideological opposition to Gandhi and the INC have made him a polarizing figure in Indian history.

Final Thoughts

Savarkar’s political thought and writings offer a window into the complexities of India’s struggle for independence and the ideological battles that shaped its future. Whether admired or criticized, his ideas continue to influence contemporary debates about nationalism, identity, and the role of religion in politics. Understanding Savarkar requires engaging with his works, his historical context, and the enduring impact of his vision for India. For those interested in exploring Savarkar’s ideology further, starting with Hindutva – Who is a Hindu? and delving into his historical and political writings is essential. Only by examining the full spectrum of his thought can one appreciate the nuances of his contributions—and controversies—in shaping modern India.

Sources:

SAVARKAR, Vinayak Damodar. 2007. Hindu Rashtra Darshan. Bharat Bhushan. Abhishek Publications: New Delhi.

SAVARKAR, S. S. and G. M. JOSHI. (Eds.). [HS]. 1992. Historic statements (Prophetic Warnings). Statements, Telegrams & Letters. 1941 to 1965 by Veer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Veer Savarkar Prakashan: Bombay (Mumbai).

SAVARKAR, Vinayak Damodar. 1941. Whirlwind propaganda:Statements, messages and Extracts from the President’s Diary of his Propagandistic Tours, Interviews from December 1937 to Oktober 1941, (Ed. by A. S. Bhide, Bombay).

VAIDYA, Prem. 1996. Savarkar: a lifelong crusader. New Age International Publishers: New Delhi.