Iqbal Jakati
Pune: Savarkar’s Grandson Confirms Mercy Petitions, Clarifies His Views in Court
In a significant development, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s grandson, Satyaki Savarkar, told a special MP/MLA court in Pune that it is true Savarkar had filed five mercy petitions to the British while imprisoned during colonial rule, according to a report by LiveLaw.
The statement came during the hearing of a criminal defamation case filed against Rahul Gandhi, who is accused of making defamatory remarks about Savarkar in a speech delivered in London.
During cross-examination, Satyaki stated that Savarkar indeed submitted five mercy petitions while in jail, adding that many political prisoners had made similar appeals to the British authorities.
On Savarkar’s views about cows, Satyaki clarified that Savarkar never described the cow as a deity. Instead, he considered it a useful animal and not a divine entity.
Responding to claims by some historians that Savarkar proposed the two-nation theory, Satyaki said this was not entirely accurate. He stated that while Savarkar made observations about the issue, the original concept was proposed by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.
Satyaki also acknowledged that Savarkar had called upon Indian youth to join the British Army. However, he clarified that the intent was not to support the British, but to ensure that Indian youth received military and weapons training, which would be useful for defending the country after independence.
He further noted that Savarkar had been acquitted in the assassination case of Mahatma Gandhi.
When asked whether Savarkar is glorified more than revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt, Satyaki declined to comment, stating that such matters are subjective and decisions regarding national recognition are taken by the Government of India.
On whether Savarkar serves as an ideological inspiration for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and related political parties, Satyaki said he was not aware of whom they consider their ideological guide.
Regarding Savarkar’s portrait in Parliament and demands to confer the Bharat Ratna on him, he stated that such decisions fall within the jurisdiction of the Government of India.
He also emphasized that critics should first read Savarkar’s writings in full before forming opinions and added that comparing revolutionaries is not appropriate.
The cross-examination of Satyaki Savarkar is scheduled to continue on June 1.
Source: VARTHA BHARATHI ( translated in english)
