V.D Savarkar

POLITICAL IDEAS OF V.
D
SAVARKAR AND ITS
RELEVANCE IN
CONTEMPORARY TIMES
POINTS TO BE DISCUSSED
OINTRODUCTION
ORESEARCH QUESTIONS
OHIS CONTRIBUTION IN
INDIAN FREEDOM
STRUGGLE
OLATER PHASE
OCONCLUSION
O Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was born on May 28, 1883 in the
Marathi Brahmin Hindu family of Damodar and Radhabai
Savarkar in the village of Bhagur near Nasik city.
O Babarao played a significant role in Vinayak’s teenage life.
O Organized a youth group called Mitra Mela and encouraged
revolutionary and nationalist view.
O Enrolled in Fergusson College in Pune.
O There was Partition of Bengal after that the demand rises for a
Poorna Swaraj. In 1902 Indian National Congress got Split into
two Moderates and Extremists.
O V.D Savarkar choose to go with Extremists whose
leader were Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar
Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal [ Lal, Bal, Pal]. They
believe can violence can be used against the
britishers in order to send them back. Savarkar
too believed in such ideologies.
O Participated in Swadeshi Movement. Because of
active participation got expelled from his college.
O Shyamji Krishna Verma helped Vinayak to go to
England to study law.
O His writings notable writings were “THE
INDIAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE” 1857.
O He founded Free Indian Society to help organize
fellow Indian students with the goals of fighting
for complete Independence.
O Savarkar wrote the book “The history of war of
Indian Independence” in 1909.
O But the book was banned throughout the British
Empire. Madam Cama a great revolutionist
obtained its publication in the Netherlands,
France, Germany widely smuggled and circulated
which helped and influenced rising young
Indians .
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
O Critical analysis of his social and political views
Social views –
caste system – Savarkar believed in the caste system and asserted that it
was a typical and essential feature of Indian society. He did believe that
each caste possessed unique characteristics and skills which ought to be
acknowledged and admired. According to Savarkar, the caste system
wasn't a rigid hierarchy, rather a flexible framework that provided for
social mobility on the basis of merit and achievement.
WOMEN’S RIGHTS - On the one hand, he espoused for women's
education and empowerment in society and politics. He also opposed
forced marriages and defended women's right to select their own
husbands. However, Savarkar held traditional opinions regarding gender
roles, believing that women should take priority their responsibilities as
mothers and wives. He was opposition to women's suffrage and the idea of
women being soldiers or participating in politics on equal terms with men.
O NATIONALISM - Savarkar's ideas on nationalism were founded on
the notion that Hinduism was the foundation of India's cultural and
religious identity, and that the country's national identification should
be predicated on this heritage. He believed that Hinduism shaped
India's history, culture, and civilization, and that it is central to the
country's identity. Savarkar also supported the idea of a Hindu Rashtra,
or Hindu nation, which he described as a country in which Hindus
were to become the dominant group and the Hindu way of life will
indeed serve as the foundation of the nation's identity and culture.
O SECULARISM - Savarkar's idea of secularism was impacted by
his faith in Hindutva, which he described as the "essence of Indian-
ness." He believed that India was a Hindu nation and that non-Hindus
who resided there should adopt Hindu cultural norms and customs. In
his view, secularism meant fair opportunities of all religions, but with a
choice for Hindu values and culture. Savarkar was crucial of the Indian
National Congress's strategy to secularism, which he believed was too
open and accepting to non-Hindu minorities.
O MILITARISM - Savarkar believed that external nations had
invaded India in the past, and that the sole way to prevent
prospective invasions was to establish an effective military.
He also believed that military training was essential for young
Indians, and that it ought to be a required part of education.
O VIEWS ON HINDUTVA - Savarkar considered India to be a
Hindu Rashtra (Hindu nation), and Hindutva to be the
essential part of Indian nationalism. He saw Hindus, Sikhs,
Buddhists, and Jains as all sharing the same "Hindu"
civilizational and cultural identity. Savarkar also believed that
Hindutva was a cultural and political identity, not just a
religious or spiritual one. He argued that Hindu culture and
civilization were distinct from other civilizations and cultures,
and that this distinction should be maintained and promoted.
Savarkar advocated "Hindu consolidation.
O POLITICAL THOUGHTS –
NATIONALISM – HE BELIEVED THAT INDIA
WAS A HINDU RASHTRA “HINDU NATION” AND
THAT HINDUISM WAS INDEED THE CORE OF
INDIAN CULTURE. HE CONTENDED THAT
HINDUISM WAS INDEED A LIFESTYLE THAT
HAD SHAPED INDIAN CIVILISATION AND
CULTURE FOR CENTURIES .
ANTICOLONIALISM - HIS ANTICOLONIALIST
VIEWS WERE IMPACTED BY HIS HINDU
NATIONALISM ANS STRONG OPPOSITION TO
BRITISH IMPERIALISM. HE BLAIMED
BRITISHERS FOR INDIA’S SOCIAL, ECONOMIC,
AND POLITICAL DEGRADATION.
HIS RELEVANCE IN CONTEMPORARY TIMES
HINDUTVA IDEOLOGY- The ideology claims that Hindus originated

in India and possess a distinctive culture and civilization that differentiates
them from other religious and cultural groups. It is debatable whether
Savarkar's Hindutva ideology still is relevant today. On the one hand, some
contend that ideology has contributed to the preservation and promotion of
Hindu traditions and values and is a significant component of India's
cultural and historical identity.
NATIONALISM - Savarkar's theories on nationalism and Hindutva are
still relevant in modern political science, especially in light of the rise of
right-wing nationalist movements in India and other countries. Political
scientists often debate the interplay between nationalism, identity, and
democracy, and Savarkar's theories provide a distinctive viewpoint on these
issues. Savarkar, however, has also come under fire for his exclusionary
views on nationalism and Hindutva, as well as for advocating a limited and
sectarian view of Indian identity that is hostile to other religions and
cultures.
O HISTORICAL LEGACY - Savarkar is best known for
his support of Hindu nationalism and his involvement in
the Indian independence movement. He played a
significant role in the Hindu Mahasabha, an organization
that promoted the rights of Hindus in India. The Hindu
nationalist movement in India has been influenced by
Savarkar's Hindutva philosophy, which placed emphasis
on the cultural and religious identity of Hindus.
However, Savarkar's controversial beliefs and deeds
have also tarnished his legacy. Despite being cleared of
the charges, he was charged with taking part in the
murder of Mahatma Gandhi. His attitudes toward ethnic
minorities, especially Muslims, have drawn criticism for
encouraging communalism and intolerance.
WHY HE IS BEING CRITICISED
O SUPPORT FOR HINDUTVA
O CONNECTION TO THE
ASSASINATION OF MAHATMA
GANDHI
O ADVOCACY FOR
AUTHORITARINIASM
O OPPOSITION TO NONVIOLENT
RESISTANCE
O VIEWS ON MUSLIMS AND OTHER
MINORITIES.
LATER PHASE
O .Hewas indeed a fervent supporter of Hindutva and held the
idea of a Hindu Rashtra to be true (Hindu Nation). He
persisted in being a strident opponent of the Nehru
administration's policies and the Indian National Congress.
Savarkar established the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha in
1951 and presided over it until his getting passed.
Additionally, he established the Abhinav Bharat Society to
advance Hindu social and cultural values. Savarkar's health
began to decline in his later years, and he developed a number
of illnesses. He passed away at Mumbai, India. Savarkar
continues to be a highly revered and respected figure among
many in India, especially those who adhere to the Hindutva
ideology, despite his contentious views and actions.
CONCLUSION
O ALTHOUGH HE WAS A GREAT
REVOLUTIONIST HIS IDEA ON NATIONALISM
HAD HELPED TO SPREAD NATIONALIST
VIEWS AMONGST ALL CITIZENS WHICH
HELPED IN UNITING PEOPLE FOR INDIA’S
INDEPENDENCE. BUT HIS EXTREMEISTS
IDEA ON HINDUTVA, CASTE AND OTHER
MINORITY COMMUNITIES AND SOME
POINTS RELATED TO WOMEN RIGHTS IS
DEBATABLE.
THANKYOU

V.D Savarkar

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POLITICAL IDEAS OF V.

HINDUTVA IDEOLOGY- The ideology claims that Hindus originated

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