Tag: Superstition
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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,…
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Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar, a revolutionary thinker and social reformer, played a crucial role in challenging the rigid traditions of Hindu society. During his time in Ratnagiri, he maintained close contact with people from all sections of society and received widespread support—except from one particular group: the Hindu orthodox traditionalists. His relationship with them was…
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When we think of the modern Ganesh Chaturthi festival (Ganeshotsava), one name inevitably comes to mind: Bal Gangadhar (Lokmanya) Tilak, who in the 1890s transformed it from a private household ritual into a public celebration of unity and resistance against colonial rule. But what about Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar? Despite organizing a Pan-Hindu Ganesh Utsav…
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Economic Dimension of Hindutva, Part 6; Savarkar’s Economic Principles (2/13) Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar was not just a political thinker and revolutionary; he was also a strong advocate for technological progress. At a time when Indian society was grappling with the impact of modernization, Savarkar made a passionate appeal to his compatriots to welcome the…
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Social-Reformist Dimension of Hindutva, Part 8 The caste system has long been a subject of intense debate. While some have seen it as a stabilizing force in Indian society, others have condemned it as an oppressive and regressive institution. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, a prominent Indian nationalist, falls squarely into the latter camp. His critique of…
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Social-Reformist Dimension of Hindutva, Part 6; Savarkar’s Scientific Worldview Against Superstition (3/3) Savarkar’s Vision: Embracing the Machine Age and the Religion of Science In the concluding part of our series exploring the “Savarkar’s Scientific Worldview Against Superstition”, we delve deeper into his profound advocacy for a scientific worldview, particularly his enthusiastic embrace of the machine…
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Social-Reformist Dimension of Hindutva, Part 4, Savarkar’s Scientific Worldview Against Superstition (1/3) Savarkar’s Vision: Science Over Superstition, Machines Over Mysticism Vinayak Damodar Savarkar presented a compelling vision for India’s modernization. His intellectual journey, marked by a deep engagement with diverse ideologies, led him to a stark conclusion: India’s progress hinged on a decisive shift from…
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Savarkar’s Philosophy & Worldview, Part 5; Savarkar’s Agnosticism (2/4) Vinayak Damodar Savarkar held distinct views on the universe, nature, and humanity’s place within these vast dimensions. His agnosticism shaped his perspective, leading him to challenge conventional religious notions and advocate for a rational, scientific approach to life. The Universe: A Realm of Indifference Savarkar’s outlook…