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The Whirlwind’s Archive
This section contains the complete archive of The Whirlwind is a blog dedicated to the life, thought, and influence of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Each entry explores aspects of his political action, philosophical thinking, social reform efforts, historical interpretations, and cultural legacy. The blog aims to offer critical insights into Savarkar’s role in shaping modern Indian political and ideological discourse.
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Savarkar’s Vitthal Temple Entry Movement
Read more: Savarkar’s Vitthal Temple Entry MovementThe Vitthal Temple in Ratnagiri, located in Maharashtra’s Konkan region, became one of the most symbolically charged sites in early 20th-century Hindu social reform. Dedicated to Lord Vitthal (‘Vithoba’) – a form of Vishnu-Krishna revered as the deity of the common people – the temple held both religious and social significance for the local Hindu…
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Savarkar: Shivaji as Archetype of the Savior
Read more: Savarkar: Shivaji as Archetype of the SaviorSavarkar’s Coding of Hindutva; Metacode Rashtra, Part 10; Code Myth (3/20); Codeelement Shivaji and Pan-Hinduism (1/15) Myth and Nation The German cultural theorist Andreas Dörner once argued that the most powerful idea modern societies use to hold themselves together is the concept of the nation. Without it, no state can sustain a sense of unity.…
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When Savarkar Opened the Temple Doors
Read more: When Savarkar Opened the Temple DoorsSavarkar’s Struggle Against Untouchability, Part III In pre-colonial India, the caste system established a deeply entrenched hierarchy that confined individuals to rigid social categories. Among its harshest expressions was the exclusion of the so-called Untouchables from Hindu temples. The larger and wealthier the temple, the more uncompromising the restrictions. For centuries, such practices persisted unchallenged,…
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Savarkar’s Struggle for Mixed Schools
Read more: Savarkar’s Struggle for Mixed SchoolsSavarkar’s Struggle Against Untouchability, Part II Among the many aspects of Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar’s reformist thought, his campaign against untouchability stands out as a crucial yet often neglected chapter. During his confinement in Ratnagiri, Savarkar directed his intellectual and organisational energy toward addressing what he regarded as one of the gravest internal weaknesses of…
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Savarkar’s notion on Holy, Righteous War
Read more: Savarkar’s notion on Holy, Righteous WarPolitical Dimension of Hindutva, Part 11 The idea of a “holy war,” known as Dharma Yuddha, against the enemies of Hindutva – particularly non-Hindu occupiers of the land – was a fundamental principle shaping Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar from his early youth. He derived this concept from the Bhagavad Gita, which speaks of the divine…
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Savarkar & the Battle Against Untouchability
Read more: Savarkar & the Battle Against UntouchabilitySavarkar’s Struggle Against Untouchability, Part I Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar is often celebrated as one of India’s most fearless revolutionaries and intellectual architects of national liberation. Yet, beyond his political vision and militant struggle for independence, there lies another profound dimension of his legacy – his fight against untouchability. During his years of confinement in…
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Would Savarkar Celebrate Gandhi Jayanti?
Read more: Would Savarkar Celebrate Gandhi Jayanti?Every year on October 2, India observes Gandhi Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi—revered as the Mahatma and remembered worldwide as an apostle of non-violence. Yet this day also invites a provocative question: if Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar were alive today, would he have commemorated Gandhi Jayanti? Respect Without Reverence It is conceivable…
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Savarkar as Speaker: Conviction and Strategy
Read more: Savarkar as Speaker: Conviction and StrategyAmong the many facets of Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar’s personality – the revolutionary freedom fighter, the writer, the social reformer – one that stands out powerfully is that of the orator. Savarkar’s speeches were not mere acts of persuasion; they were performances of conviction, intellect, and strategic foresight. His voice carried both moral authority and…
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Savarkar’s Radical Vision for Social Reform
Read more: Savarkar’s Radical Vision for Social ReformSavarkar’s Philosophy & Worldview, Part 13, Savarkar’s Five Philosophical Dimensions (6/6) In the sixth installment of our exploration of Veer Savarkar’s philosophical foundations, we delve into the core principles that shaped his vision for a reformed and progressive society. Savarkar’s philosophy was a unique blend of classical Indian thought, Western political and social ideas, and…
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When Gandhi Met Savarkar in Ratnagiri (1927)
Read more: When Gandhi Met Savarkar in Ratnagiri (1927)The meeting between M.K. (Mahatma) Gandhi and Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar in Ratnagiri in 1927 was one of those rare encounters in Indian history where two towering, yet ideologically opposed, figures came face to face. Though often overlooked, this event offers a unique window into the clash of philosophies that would shape the future of…