Part 1, A Historical Perspective Introduction In the late 19th century, the question of sea travel—particularly the ban on crossing the seas—became a significant social issue in India. This prohibition, known as Attock Bandi or Sindhu Bandi, was not only a religious and social restriction but also one that severely hindered the political, economic, and…
Savarkar’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,…
The caste system has long been a defining yet contentious element of Hindu society. Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar, a fierce nationalist and reformist, saw this system not just as a social hierarchy but as a significant barrier to Hindu unity and nation-building. His critique of caste-based social ostracism stemmed from his conviction that it weakened…
