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Savarkar championed 1857 uprising as War of Independence: Modi

  •   Sun, May 27 2018 09:10:42 PM

New Delhi, May 27 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday remembered Hindutva proponent Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, hailing him as a prominent champion of the 1857 uprising as the First War of Independence and not a revolt or mutiny.

"This was the very month (May) in 1857, when Indians had displayed their strength against the British. In many parts of the country, our youth and farmers demonstrated their bravery whilst standing up against the injustice.

"... it was Veer Savarkar who boldly expostulated that whatever happened in 1857 was not a revolt but was indeed the First War of Independence," Modi said in the 44th edition of his monthly radio programme, Mann ki Baat.

Born on May 28, 1883, Savarkar -- who remained President of the Hindu Mahasabha -- coined the term 'Hindutva' to create a collective Hindu identity as an essence of the country.

"It is also an amazing coincidence that the month, which witnessed the first struggle for Independence, was the one in which Veer Savarkar ji was born.

"Savarkar ji's personality was full of special qualities -- he was a worshipper of both weapons or 'shastra' and knowledge or 'shaastras'," the Prime Minister said, adding that Savarkar was also a poet and a social reformer who always emphasised on goodwill and unity.

Savarkar was arrested in 1910 for anti-imperialist activities and sent to cellular jail in Andaman and Nicobar Island for life. He was finally released in 1924. He wrote four mercy petitions in all during his jail term, and once out worked for the consolidation of Hindu identity.

Modi also spoke of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's account about Savarkar, where he had said Savarkar meant brilliance, sacrifice, penance, substance, logic, youth, arrow and a sword.

Even though Modi spoke extensively about Savarkar, he paid tribute in just one sentence to India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, on his 54th death anniversary.

"My dear countrymen, today is May 27, the death anniversary of the first Prime Minister of (independent) India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru ji. I render my 'pranam' to Pandit ji," he said.
  

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Comment on this article

  • Indian Kannadiga, Coastal Karnataka

    Mon, May 28 2018

    Sir, can Savarkar or Nehru or Jinnah bring any development into our Country or the people?? We are helplessly looking at you Sir for the Ache Ache Din.. They did not deliver and thats why we made you as our Leader. Please at least unite India and make it great again for our current and future Indians.

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  • Vincent Rodrigues, Bengaluru/Katapadi

    Mon, May 28 2018

    Modi creates history for his conviniency

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • geoffrey, hat hill

    Mon, May 28 2018

    Groundwork for conferring Bharath Rathna on Savarkar, probably an attempt to mend the fences with Maratha vote bank.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lakshmeesha jaitley, simla

    Mon, May 28 2018

    so who is the producer, director, and actor in the picture now? Savarkar or motabai? too confusing...

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  • El En Tea, Mumbai

    Mon, May 28 2018

    He is learning now for Feku sake see doesnt know the year properly.
    This topic to make happy ShivSena and Maharashtrian for the upcoming election 2019.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Karthik, Konaje

    Mon, May 28 2018

    On Feb 27th 1948 Sardar Patel (Deputy PM) wrote to Pandith Nehu(PM) on Mahathma's assassination:
    'It was a fanatical wing of Hindu Mahasabha directly under Savarkar that hatched the conspiracy and saw through it'

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Mon, May 28 2018

    Narendra Modi rewrites History ...

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Moshu, Mangaluru

    Mon, May 28 2018

    He nothing but a activist with hinditva ideology so he is still remained as a eole model for fringe groups in India. He was accused and arrested for his involvement in Mahatma Gandhi assassination and later he was released. He opposed 'Quit India movement ' . Another activity he started was to reconvert to Hinduism those who had converted to other faiths. He never struggle for collective freedom from Britisher but engaged in communal actovities where he was jailed.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Declan, Mumbai

    Mon, May 28 2018

    He was just a traitor, anti Muslim and sided with the British. Modi is good at making up his own bed time stories.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Raj, Mangalore

    Mon, May 28 2018

    A futile attempt to rehabilitate the reputation of the mastermind of Gandhi's assasination.

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • SMR, Karkala

    Mon, May 28 2018

    Does Savarkar’s portrait deserve to be hanged and eulogized in the Parliament?
    (3) When the majority of the casemen were sent outside I requested for my release. But, although I had been cased (caned?) hardly twice or thrice and some of those who were released, for a dozen and more
    times, still I was not released with them because I was their casemen. But when after all, the order for my release was given and when just then some of the political prisoners outside were brought into the troubles I was locked in with them because I was their casemen.

    (4) If I was in Indian jails I would have by this time earned much remission, could have sent more letters home, got visits. If I was a transportee pure and simple I would have by this time been released, from this jail and would have been looking forward for ticket-leave, etc. But as it is, I have neither the advantages of the Indian jail nor of this convict colony regulation; though had to undergo the disadvanatges of both.
    I beg to remain,

    SIR,
    Your most obedient servant,
    (Sd.) V.D. Savarkar,
    Convict no. 32778.

    [Available in the National Archives of India]

    This is the same Savarkar whose portrait was placed in parliament under the stewardship of the BJP and whom Modi referred to as ‘a true patriot.' who sided with British to break free from 'Kalapani' in Andaman jail. Savarkar call for rape as a political weapon still finds open resonance among communal fanatics.
    Jai Hind

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • SMR, Karkala

    Mon, May 28 2018

    Does Savarkar’s portrait deserve to be hanged and eulogized in the Parliament?
    On May 28, 2014 Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and his ministers turned up to pay tributes to ‘Veer’ Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. It is astonishing. This ‘Veer’ submitted not one but five (in 1911, 1913, 1914, 1918 & 1920) mercy petitions to the British rulers.
    MERCY PETITION 1
    Petition from V D Savarkar (Convict No. 32778) to the Home Member of the Government of India, dated the 14th November, 1913.

    I beg to submit the following points for your kind consideration:

    (1) When I came here in 1911 June, I was along with the rest of the convicts of my party taken to the office of the Chief Commissioner.

    There I was classed as “D” meaning dangerous prisoner; the rest of the convicts were not classed as “D”. Then I had to pass full 6 months in solitary confinement. The other convicts had not. During that time I was put on the coir pounding though my hands were bleeding. Then I was put on the oil-mill – the hardest labour in the jail. Although my conduct during all the time was exceptionally good still at the end of these six months I was not sent out of the jail; though the other convicts who came with me were. From that time to this day I have tried to keep my behaviour as good as possible.

    (2) When I petitioned for promotion I was told I was a special class prisoner and so could not be promoted. When any of us asked for better food or any special treatment we were told “You are only
    ordinary convicts and must eat what the rest do”. Thus Sir, Your Honour would see that only for special disadvantages we are classed as special prisoners.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • SANTOSH, MANGALORE

    Mon, May 28 2018

    Now I see where the habit of BJP comparing with Congress and invoking sympathy comes from. "Veer" has compared himself to every other prisoner and asks sympathy from the British here.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • SMR, Karkala

    Mon, May 28 2018

    Let me unfold some hidden truths, Savarkar was the first who gave the concept of “two nations” theory during a Hindu Maha Sabha, he discussed the idea of Hindus and Muslims should be two separate nations 16 years before Jinnah did.

    On May 28, 2014 Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and his ministers turned up to pay tributes to ‘Veer’ Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. It is astonishing. This ‘Veer’ submitted not one but five (in 1911, 1913, 1914, 1918 & 1920) mercy petitions to the British rulers. The two comprehensive one of 1914 and 1920 are being reproduced so that real character of ‘Veer’ Savarkar is known by all.

    Sardar Patel, the first home minister of India, held Savarkar responsible for murder of the Father of Nation. In a letter to Jawaharlal Nehru dated February 27, 1948 he wrote, “It was a fanatical wing of the Hindu Mahasabha directly under Savarkar that hatched the conspiracy (to kill Mahatma) and saw it through”.

    It is further to be noted that he openly helped the British war efforts during the World War II at a time when Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was trying to liberate India militarily from the British rule. Savarkar believed that Manu Code should be law of the land. He remained a diehard believer in Casteism, Racism, and imperialism throughout his life. He called it Hindutva.

    PM Modi Should Remember Rape is Also a Weapon of Ideology, Savarkar Its Proponent.At the end of his life Savarkar wrote a book in Marathi, "Six Glorious Epochs of Hindu History". This is the same Savarkar whose portrait was placed in parliament under the stewardship of the BJP and whom Modi referred to as ‘a true patriot.’ Savarkar’s call for rape as a political weapon still finds open resonance among communal fanatics.
    Jai Hind

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Amith, USA

    Mon, May 28 2018

    Nothing special!!!!! Same, repeatation of Field Marshal Kariappa and Gen. Timayya's Story!!!! Ye FEKU Juumle bare Kahaniyonse, India ka Naak Katwake hee Dum Lega!!!!!!!!

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Raghavendra M K, Mumbai Maharashtra

    Sun, May 27 2018

    I think MODI has taken Biology in B.A. degree. very poor in history of his own country.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Krishna Dasa, Udupi,.

    Sun, May 27 2018

    Our Hindu ancestors were cowards like modern day politicians. Unable to fight very small group of horse back invaders from the North west and very small group of sailers from the Arabian see. Our ancestors divided in the name of cast, region and language. Small group of thousands of Land Lords called themselves Maharajas and made millions of poor, Low cast people work for them free. Practiced untouchability during war and lost our Land to foreigners. We should learn from our true, shameful history of ours and unite in to one people and one Nation with out following the bad examples of our ancestors.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Shahnawaz kukkikatte, Udupi/Dubai

    Sun, May 27 2018

    Ignorant n arrogant..Great liar PM Modi. Vir Savarkar was born i the year 1883.....
    26 years after the sepoy mutiny...

    We are not fools...
    Vir Savarkar was british agent...RSS n Hindu mahasabha supported british Raj

    DisAgree [3] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nash, Mangalore

    Sun, May 27 2018

    Read properly guys....

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • RSRB, Kundapur

    Mon, May 28 2018

    Shahnawaz kukkikatte, Udupi/Dubai

    Ramadan Kareem...
    Read the news properly dear brother at least in the month of your holy month.... and use good language while criticizing others......

    Modi told, the phrase "sipoy mutiny (sipaayi dhange)" coined by British was there till Sawarkar changed it as "first war of independence (Prathama Swaathanthrya Sangraama)"

    Modi deliberately made this statement because he knows you people get trapped in his articulation of words and make it a big issue and whole India goes through google and reads about Sawarkar. After reading about Sawarkar, many Congress voters change to BJP voters for sure.

    he was successful in making Kannadigas to read about Kannada Jewels F.M. Cariappa and G. Thimmiah and ensured many Congress voters turned to BJP. Similarly, now Sawarkar.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Karthik, Konaje

    Mon, May 28 2018

    Yes, after googling Cariappa and Thimmayya, not just Kannadigas, but the entire nation has realized what a liar PM is but still he won 104 seats and no prize for guessing the reason!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ahmed K. C., Mangalore

    Sun, May 27 2018

    Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (28 May 1883 – 26 February 1966) 
    The revolt against British during 1857
    Trying hard to establish a connection.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ahmed, Mangalore

    Sun, May 27 2018

    What Modiji said was that Veer Savarkar called the 1857 uprising as "First War of Independence" and not just a revolt or mutiny.
    He did not say that Veer Savarkar participated in that uprising.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ahmed K. C., Mangalore

    Sun, May 27 2018

    Thanks but, I understand that.
    it like in the year 2064 one Mr. Vikaas ( 20 year old )would be saying that Modi was talking about him.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • MN, Mangalore

    Mon, May 28 2018

    Good one. You made my day

    DisAgree Agree [2] Report Abuse


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