The first-ever biography of legendary freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in Tamil, “Veer Savarkar: Oru Kalaga Kaaranin Kadhai (The Story Of Rebel),” written by BJP Tamil Nadu State Secretary Dr SG Suryah, was released on 4 January 2024 at a grand book launch event organized by Chennai Citizens’ Forum in Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai.

The book was launched by BJP National General Secretary (Organization) BL Santhosh with the copies being received by BJP Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai, Coimbatore South BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan, journalists Rangaraj Pandey of Chanakyaa and Kolahala Srinivas.

The biography-cum-tribute by Dr. Suryah sheds light on Savarkar’s early days, his sacrifices, his work as a revolutionary, his contributions as a social reformer, his vision for a free India, and the ideas that has shaped India’s destiny.

Addressing a packed hall, senior BJP leader BL Santhosh said that Dr. Suryah has filled the biggest gap in Tamil historical nationalist movement literature.

“Earlier also he had written a book on Veer Savarkar but that was more of a translation but this time he has written an elaborate book that gives a 360° view on Veer Savarkar’s legacy.” said BL Santhosh congratulating SG Suryah’s efforts.

The senior BJP leader further added “It is an irony that in the 75th year of Indian independence, we’ve to write a book on Veer Savarkar to show what he contributed to the freedom struggle. Everything in post-independent India was seen through a coloured glass. It is a trick played with history by the authors and sponsors of ‘tryst with destiny’. So, you’ve to search for Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s photo in Chennai or Subash Salai or Subash Bus Stand, etc where as every second road is named after Nehru and Indira, every third road is named after Rajiv Gandhi, every fourth road is supposedly named after Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi. You’ve to search for Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Savarkar, Sardar Patel, name. This is the irony of independent India. Names like Madan Lal Dhingra, Chandrasekhar Azad, Neelakanta Brahmachari are made to feel alien to us. We were made to believe that we got freedom only because a particular kind of movement, particular set of leaders. That movement is also respectable, those leaders should also be remembered but that doesn’t mean that Veer Savarkar can be relegated to the margins of freedom struggle history. Veer Savarkar can never be relegated to the margins when you’ve people like Suryah.”

BL Santhosh further went on to enumerate the many firsts of Veer Savarkar saying “He was the first person to start burning foreign clothes. He was the first person whose book was banned in 2 foreign countries – Britain and France – before it got published. He was the first person whose book The India War Of Independence 1857 written in England was banned in India. You cannot find anyone whose 3 big works would’ve been banned. Many people got degree but he lost the degree he got. He discarded the barrister degree he got. When the British court sentenced him to life, he was the first political prisoner who stated that he will not accept British court at all. He was the first political prisoner to argue his case in International Court of Justice, Hague. He was the first person to be given 2 life sentences by a government which did not believe in rebirth. He was the first person whose name doesn’t even figure in school textbooks when we read about Indian freedom struggle.”

He further narrated how Savarkar’s sister-in-law had written a letter to Savarkar about how all his brothers have been taken to jail and that he should atleast take care of himself. Savarkar is said to have responded saying that just like how only the best lotuses in the pond are offered to the God, so has his mother given birth to sons to be offered as sacrifice for Bharat Mata.

BL Santhosh also took jibes at those who tarnish Veer Savarkar for his clemency petitions saying there are many political leaders who fearing three days of arrest will apologize in court silently but comment on Savarkar who spent 27 years in the most difficult jail conditions.

“Savarkar was put in a jail near the gallows so that he could hear the cries of the death-sentenced prisoners daily“, said BL Santhosh describing him as a man of steel.

Calling him the greatest magnet, the senior BJP leader said “Just as a magnet transforms any iron it touches into another magnet, Savarkar inspired and transformed everyone who came into contact with him into revolutionaries.“, narrating the episode of Madan Lal Dhingra who shot Curzon Wyllie to death.

“Savarkar motivated people to join the Indian armed forces. While critics argued that this would only serve British interests during the Second World War, his strategic foresight ensured that the Indian army, navy, and air force became strong and well-staffed with Indians. This significant presence played a crucial role when India finally achieved independence“, BL Santhosh remarked.

He also noted how Savarkar ushered in social reforms to break casteism by building Patit Pavan Mandir where members of the discriminated caste were allowed to worship and perform rituals, leading temple entry movements, organizing Samapanthi Bhojan (community meal), having a Scheduled Caste member serve drinking water to all those who visit his house – all of which were way ahead of his time when orthodoxy prevailed.

BL Santhosh also noted how the then powers at be tried to implicate Savarkar for Gandhi’s murder though the only link between Savarkar and Nathuram Godse was Hindu Mahasabha. “If that would’ve been the case, then many others in Tamil Nadu would’ve also been implicated because of their many links. However the ecosystem never say that he was released by an order of court absolving him of all the allegations in Gandhi’s murder.”

The senior BJP leader also emphasized that it is the duty and responsibility of all Indians in taking the history and legacy of Veer Savarkar to future young generations.

BJP Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai who has written foreword for the book praised Suryah as an intellectual politician who is destined for greater roles in public life.

“At such a young age, 34 years old, he has undergone a lot of personal struggles which no young person should go through. He is a man who is always seeking. He’s always in search of something, seeking something. Be it a press meet or representing BJP on stage, he’s always a well-prepared individual and thorough. So, him writing a book is not a surprise to me. Only a person who has seen ups and downs in life will have that strength in writing. This isn’t his first book. He’s written about how BJP won the north-east states, a biography on social worker Palam Kalyanasundaram titled ‘Man of the Millenium’, Veer Savarkar’s ‘My Transportation for Life’ has been translated into Tamil, and the latest book on Savarkar is Suryah’s original thoughts.” Annamalai said.

“People write many books in Tamil Nadu. But Suryah has taken an unpopular leader and has placed the real persona of Savarkar in front of Tamil people. It’s no ordinary feat. He didn’t write it for the book to see some sales. Imagine the ideological conviction he has.“, Annamalai further added.

Annamalai then took to draw parallels between Veer Savarkar and Gandhi noting how the latter’s life was uneventful till the Pietermaritzburg incident where Gandhi was allegedly thrown off the train by the British for travelling in first class carriage.

He said that on the other hand, Savarkar’s life was on fire from the very beginning. “He removed his poonool (sacred thread janeu) to stand against caste discrimination. He broke barriers and made people of all caste to watch plays. He organized community meal samapanthi bojanam making people of all castes sit together and eat. He started an eatery in which he made a Brahmin and a Scheduled Caste as the owners giving them 50:50 share. All this he did before independence.”

Annamalai then spoke about the revolutionary side of Savarkar saying England is such a land which turns people into rebels and urged people to read the book to know how India House changed the destiny of many.

“He was given double life imprisonment – for killing Nashik Collector and for rising against the King of England at his prime years.“, Annamalai said urging people of all parties and ideologies to approach Savarkar with an open mind instead of engaging in mindless social media trolling.

“You should visit the Cellular Jail when you visit Andaman. All these people fought for India not for a political party. You should look at the kind of punishments given to prisoners there. They had to bathe nude in front of everyone. This man had studied in prestigious colleges and lived in London. The jail system is designed to crush your soul. He was given the punishment of ‘standing in the stock’ where both your hands and legs are tied from the morning to evening daily for 10 hours. You can’t even attend to nature’s call that time.” Annamalai said.

Speaking about clemency petitions, Annamalai noted how not just Savarkar but also Communist leaders like SA Dange too made use of the available remedy to political prisoners who had spent some time in jail.

Annamalai also questioned whether Veer Savarkar was being tarnished because of his Chitpavan Brahmin identity adding that with this book Suryah has brought historical accuracy to a rainbow life of Savarkar.

Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan noted Suryah’s rise from a young enthusiastic student who visited her home eager to join the BJP to work for her to gradually rising in the party and inviting one of the most powerful person in the BJP to the book launch.

“At a time when BJP’s organizational elections are happening across the country, Shri. BL Santhosh ji has given his time to this event which is a great thing”, she said.

Vanathi Srinivasan noted that Veer Savarkar whose history and legacy has been wronged by a particular ecosystem is being corrected by Suryah through this book. She said that this book will counter the false campaign against Savarkar in Tamil Nadu and give a blow to Dravidian Model sympathizers who still harbour separatist ambitions.

The book is available for sale on Amazon.

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