Naturals Salons Owner CK Kumaravel Calls Freedom Fighter Veer Savarkar A “Coward” And Peddles Lies About His Role In Gandhi’s Assassination
CK Kumaravel, the CEO and Co-founder of “Naturals” salons and former executive of Makkal Needhi Maiam and a current vocal supporter of the Congress party, has come under heavy criticism for making disparaging comments and malicious allegations against the nationalist freedom fighter Veer Savarkar. Many have accused Kumaravel of spreading ill-willed and false allegations against Savarkar.
This grudge to tarnish the image of the respected Indian freedom fighter and social activist comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s challenge to the I.N.D.I alliance leaders at a recent rally in Kalyan, Maharashtra. Modi urged them to speak five sentences highlighting the greatness of Veer Savarkar. Following this, the PTI news agency posted about the event on its official handle, to which Kumaravel responded with his controversial remarks.
CK Kumaravel in response to PM Narendra Modi’s call for to speak five sentences highlighting the greatness of Veer Savarkar, he stated, “ 1. #VeerSavarkar is a coward 2. He is a co-conspirator in Gandhi’s assassination 3. He is an expert in writing #MercyPetitions 4. He brainwashed the mentally ill #Godse in killing #Gandhi 5. There is nothing veer in him except his name 6. A #Hindutva Maniac #RSS – #BJP mafia”
1. #VeerSavarkar is a coward
2. He is a co-conspirator in Gandhi’s assassination
3. He is an expert in writing #MercyPetitions
4. He brainwashed the mentally ill #Godse in killing #Gandhi
5. There is nothing veer in him except his name
6. A #Hindutva Maniac #RSS – #BJP mafia https://t.co/780Z1wTnmu— CK Kumaravel (@ckknaturals) May 16, 2024
CK Kumaravel’s attempt to narrate half baked story about Veer Savarkar reflects a common yet regrettable trend often seen among historians influenced by the Nehruvian perspective. This mindset is not exclusive to Kumaravel, as even Congress scion Rahul Gandhi, have resorted to insult Savarkar. Consequently, Rahul Gandhi attracted a defamation case; interestingly, has also previously issued two unconditional apologies to the Supreme Court for his derogatory remarks about the leader.
Gandhi’s Assassination Conspiracy
There is clear evidence of a systematic campaign to malign Vinayak Damodar Savarkar regarding Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, despite evidence proving his innocence. This evidence indicates that Savarkar opposed the anarchist methods of Nathuram Godse and Narayan Apte, Gandhi’s assassins, and their followers in the Hindu Mahasabha. Despite Savarkar’s acquittal in the case, he has been tarnished by Congress, Leftists and Dravidianists accusing him of a crime he didn’t commit.
Before Partition, Godse, a Hindu Mahasabha member, frequently criticized Savarkar and senior leaders like Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee, B.S. Munje, and L.N. Bhopatkar for their passive stance against the Congress and Gandhi, highlighting internal conflicts rather than collusion.
Savarkar consistently advocated for legal and political avenues over anarchist methods in his speeches and writings. B.R. Ambedkar privately supported Savarkar during the trial, believing the case against him was weak. Despite ideological differences, Savarkar showed personal respect for Gandhi, addressing him as “Mahatmaji” and acknowledging his contributions. Historical interactions between Savarkar and Gandhi were marked by mutual respect. When Gandhi went on a fast in 1943, Savarkar recognized the national significance of his life and praised his release in 1944. Prominent political rivals like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi never accused Savarkar of conspiracy; in fact, Indira praised him and issued a commemorative stamp in his honor. After the 1962 Sino-Indian War, Nehru invited the RSS to participate in the Republic Day parade, indirectly supporting nationalist organizations linked to Savarkar. Additionally, the 1923 Congress session sought Savarkar’s release from prison, indicating respect for his sacrifices. The vilification campaign against Savarkar, particularly from 2003 onwards, appears politically motivated rather than based on historical evidence. These points collectively undermine the narrative of Savarkar’s involvement in Gandhi’s assassination.
Mercy Petitions Controversy
The claims that Savarkar “wrote mercy petitions to the British and accepted a pension,” initially made by Rahul Gandhi in 2022, have been discredited by historians and experts. Vaibhav Purandare, author of ‘Savarkar: The True Story of the Father of Hindutva‘, clarified to the BBC in 2019 that “both allegations are untrue. Savarkar did write petitions for clemency and never denied doing so.”
According to Savarkar’s biographers, these petitions were written due to the harsh conditions in prison. However, Vikram Sampath, who authored a two-part biography of Savarkar titled ‘Echoes from a Forgotten Past, 1883-1924’ and ‘A Contested Legacy, 1924-1966′, explained to India Today in October 2021 that Savarkar’s petitions were requests for better prison conditions and early release, not “mercy” petitions.
“All political prisoners had the opportunity to file these petitions,” Sampath noted, pointing out that others like Barindra Kumar Ghosh and Sachindra Nath Sanyal also filed similar petitions. He compared these petitions to modern-day bail applications, emphasizing they were not pleas for mercy but rather legal requests. Additionally, Sampath mentioned that it was Savarkar’s younger brother who sought Gandhi’s advice in 1920 regarding a petition for his elder brother’s release. Gandhi suggested framing a “brief petition” highlighting the political nature of Savarkar’s offense, according to BBC reports.
Savarkar’s biographers assert that writing these petitions did not indicate “fear” as critics, including Rahul Gandhi, have claimed. “By writing these petitions, Savarkar was exercising his rights as a political prisoner at that time,” Purandare told the BBC, adding that these actions do not diminish Savarkar’s revolutionary status or make him an apologist for British rule.
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar: The True ‘Veer’
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, known as Veer Savarkar, was a prominent freedom fighter, poet, writer, and political leader who played a significant role in India’s struggle for independence from British rule. His revolutionary activities led to his imprisonment, and his influential works, such as “The First War of Indian Independence” and “Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?” helped shape political discourse in India. Despite controversy surrounding some of his views, Savarkar’s contributions to India’s independence movement and nationalist ideology remain crucial parts of his legacy.
From a young age, Savarkar was highly patriotic and organized a group called “Mitra Mela” with his friends. At just fifteen years old, he pledged to free India from British rule, inspired by his brothers and Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. His mother also played a role in instilling a sense of nationalism and religion in him by narrating stories from the Ramayana and the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the great Maratha ruler.
Savarkar attended Fergusson College in Pune in 1902 and wrote for the publication “Aryan.” One of his notable articles, “Saptapadi,” discussed the seven stages of a nation’s evolution. He was intellectually inclined, reading extensively in Indian and world history as well as literature from both Eastern and Western traditions. In 1904, “Mitra Mela” was renamed “Abhinav Bharat,” a revolutionary group inspired by the Italian leader Mazzini’s Young Italy. This society of 100 members aimed to liberate India and protested British actions such as the 1905 partition of Bengal.
Savarkar’s protest against British goods, influenced by Tilak, included burning foreign goods, a practice later adopted by Gandhi. This activism led to his expulsion from Fergusson College. Aligning with extremist freedom fighters like Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal, he distanced himself from liberals like Gopal Krishna Gokhale. He eventually earned his B.A. degree with the support of Shyamji Krishna Verma.
Under Tilak’s influence, Savarkar went to London to study law with a scholarship from Shyamji Krishna Verma. At Gray’s Inn Law College, he founded the Free India Society, another group of revolutionaries. His book, “Indian War of Independence 1857,” published in 1909, reframed the 1857 revolt as a freedom struggle rather than a mutiny. Bhikhaji Cama helped publish the book in Europe after it was banned in Britain. This work inspired many freedom fighters, including Bhagat Singh.
In 1909, Savarkar’s associate, Madan Lal Dhingra, assassinated British official Curzon Wyllie, an act that led to Dhingra’s execution and deeply affected Savarkar. In 1910, Savarkar was arrested and later sentenced to two life imprisonments, totaling fifty years, in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ Cellular Jail, where he endured severe torture.
In 1921, Savarkar was transferred to Ratnagiri Jail, where he continued to face harsh conditions until his release in 1924 under strict restrictions, including a ban on political activities for five years. Despite these limitations, he organized religious events and conferences, particularly opposing the caste system and untouchability.
Savarkar inspired numerous freedom fighters, such as Madan Lal Dhingra, Chandrasekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Subhas Chandra Bose. His contributions were acknowledged by prominent leaders like Rash Behari Bose and B.R. Ambedkar. He also helped design the first Indian National Flag, which Bhikhaji Cama unfurled at the World Socialist Conference in Stuttgart, Germany.
Though some criticized Savarkar, accusing him of involvement in the murder of Nasik Collector A.T.M. Jackson, his supporters argue that he was a strategic and intelligent leader aware of the British’s cunning and ruthless nature. They believe his radical approach was necessary to achieve India’s independence.
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