Today marks the birth anniversary (4 November 1845) of Vasudev Balwant Phadke, one of the pioneering figures who inaugurated the revolutionary era during British rule in India. Phadke raised a fighting force of about three hundred determined young men and waged a campaign of resistance against the colonial occupiers. At the heart of his struggle…
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…
Political Dimension of Hindutva, Part 10 Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar, a pivotal figure in the Indian independence movement and a proponent of Hindutva, offered a unique and controversial vision of democracy and governance for post-colonial India. His ideas, as encapsulated in his first draft constitution, reflect his belief in an India dominated by a unified…
Since M.K. (Mahatma) Gandhi is called by many of his followers Rashtrapita (“Father of the Nation”), it is fitting that Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar be acknowledged as Hindu Rashtra Pita—the “Father of the Hindu Nation.” This title recognizes not only his seminal contribution to the Indian freedom struggle but also his immense personal sacrifices and…
The dramatic escape of Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar at the port of Marseilles in July 1910 remains one of the most notable episodes of India’s revolutionary struggle. Under strict British custody, Savarkar attempted a daring flight through the porthole of the docked S.S. Morea, swimming through the harbor waters to set foot on French soil.…
In July 1910, Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar attempted one of the most discussed escapes in the history of anti-colonial struggles. After leaping through a porthole of the British steamer S.S. Morea as it docked at Marseilles, he swam ashore and set foot on French soil – intending to claim political asylum. The Irregular Handover of…
Among the circle of revolutionary young men who gathered around Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar at India House in London, one name shines with both tragedy and inspiration – Madan Lal Dhingra (1883–1909). His short life, ending at the gallows in Pentonville Prison, was deeply intertwined with Savarkar’s mentorship, ideas, and revolutionary vision. From Apolitical Student…