Tag: PoliticalStruggle
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Political Dimension of Hindutva, Part 13 Introduction – A Justification of “Relative Violence” Violence and non-violence have long been central themes in Indian philosophical and political thought. Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar, a key proponent of Hindutva, presented a unique discourse on the subject, arguing for a pragmatic approach to violence—what he termed “just, relative violence.”…
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Savarkar’s Philosophy & Worldview, Part 14 The Relationship Between Nation and Religion: Understanding Savarkar’s Perspective on Religious Conversions Religion and nationality have long been intertwined in the fabric of human societies, shaping identities, cultures, and political landscapes. Few thinkers have explored this relationship as provocatively as Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar who presented a unique perspective…
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The 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’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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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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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…
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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…
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Every year, on 28 September, India remembers the birth of Bhagat Singh (1907–1931), one of the most iconic revolutionaries of the freedom movement. His fiery courage, intellectual depth, and ultimate sacrifice at the age of just 23 continue to inspire generations. On such an occasion, it is worth revisiting not only Bhagat Singh’s own ideas…
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When Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar arrived in London in 1906, he stepped into a diverse Indian student community. Some of them were already politically conscious but not yet revolutionary. Another major part of the Indian students, which were actually the majority, prided themselves on being more English in their make-up and mind than Englishmen themselves.…
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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…