"Lord Buddha and Buddhism remained on the sidelines for over 200 years after Buddha's Nirvana and surfaced when emperor Ashoka embraced Buddhist tenets and donned the role of a missionary to propagate Buddhism in all directions. After remaining on the sidelines for decades, the Savarkar era has also arrived in earnest. "
This last paragraph of Uday Mahurkar and Chirayu Pandit's Book defines what that Book is all about. Despite reading various books about Veer Savarkar, I decided that book to read by founding its headline quite interesting "The Man Who can prevent Partition." In contrast to the writings of Vikram Sampat, Vaibhav Purandare, or Dhananjay Keer, I hope to learn something fresh about him in this book.
This review aims to determine whether the book lived up to its Title or only provided information on Savarkar's historical events that other authors and documentaries have covered over the past four years. We'll also figure out what lesson this book is trying to teach us.
Find the outlines of the subjects we are going to cover in this book review:
Initial Impressions of the Book
285 Pages Book contains 8 Chapters. Before the first one, a subchapter has included, which gives a short outline for the whole storyline of the book. The book is utterly dedicated to the Standards and Vision of Veer Savarkar toward the Nation in the pre-and post-independence era. It Highlights the section of Svarkar's Strategy for National Security. This book also did justice for its readers by mentioning some opposing points for Savarkar.
The Second Part of Veer Savarkar's Life is briefly summarised in that book. (After Andaman's release in 1921). which likewise generates more controversy than his previous revolutionary. The author attempted to tie Savarkar to the present when the Nation needed to give Savarkar's principles new life. They ultimately related him with the Modi government. In the Analysis section, you will get to know how.
Why are Uday Mahurkar and Chirayu Pandit the most fitting choice for writing that Book?
Gujarat is the place that remains a significant role in independence. Not only for the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel but also for the state of Sayajirao Gaekwad III ( Maharaja of Baroda State from 1875 to 1939), who not only gave a pitch to Indian revolutionaries to fight against Britishers but also he was the first Indian ruler to introduce compulsory and free primary education in his state in 1906. But Why am I discussing him in that section?
Because both authors belong to The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, in his book, they mentioned Sayajirao Gaekwad multiple times and his connection with Veer Savarkar, which is also essential for every reader. Just because of their knowledge of this excellent ruler, work becomes possible. Which they most likely acquired through their academic career.
Second, Mr. Uday Mahurkar has worked as an Information Commissioner in the Government of India since 2020. That gives him a close view of the government's policy and agenda. With this help, he closely analyzes how the government rebirths Veer Savarkar's ideology by mentioning current issues.
Analysis of Veer Savarkar: The Man Who Could Have Prevented Partition
What's the most oversized arm of leftists and peaceful community to attack Veer Savarkar after his so-called mercy petitions? That is the "Two-Nation Theory," They project his Ahemadabad Speech in 1937 as the cause behind the Partition. And that is what the first chapter is all about; thanks to the author for highlighting the primary reason behind India's Partition, which was the rise of separatist throughs in Aligarh, started by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.
Following that, Storylines discusses the historical errors made by the Congress, including the Lucknow Pact in 1916, which aided the Muslim League in winning a sizable majority of assembly seats in 1946, the merger of the Khilafat Movement with Non-Corporation Movement, which resulted in the mass murder of Keralite Hindus by Moplah Muslims in 1921.
The most important part was the Quit India movement, when all members of Congress were imprisoned; most leaders left their government positions to join the Movement. But Muslim League leaders who supported the British during World War 2 filled open positions. That ultimately led them to help for "The Great Killing of Hindus in Calcutta and Noakhali," when powerless Hindus were killed without receiving any noticeable backing from their community from the government.
This also helped the Muslim League obtain the top position in the British government and finally helped him with Partition. That is also one reason Veer Savarkar did not support the Quit India movement because of its unfortunate timing.
The third chapter is the Summary of Veer Savarkar's Book "Hindutva." That gives a short overview of what Savarkar's Hindutva is. The main picture starts from chapter four when the story comes at its Title, "The Man Who could have prevented Partition," where the author beautifully defines several significant subjects, such as the Real secular approach of Hindu Mahasabha after Savarkar's presidency and Akhand Bharat Movement.
The Book also shows Savarkar's visionary national security plan and international policy. The author also relates this to Modi Government, Like how they follow the Savarkarian approach to deal with the same, leading the country to a more versatile position.
Three lessons from that Book
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan- Founder of The Muslim Nation
You will be stunned to know that the author of this book does not propagate this subtitle. Instead, Pakistani historian S. Moinul Haque writes it in the official history of Pakistan.
Look at a speech delivered by Sir Syed Ahmed khan in 1887 in Lucknow. (Chapter 1, Page no. 3)
"Suppose that all the Mohammedan electors vote for a Mohammedan member and all Hindu electors for a Hindu member. Now count how many votes the Mohammedan members have and how many the Hindus have. The Hindu members will undoubtedly have four times as many because their population is four times as numerous. Therefore, we can prove by mathematics that there will be four votes for the Hindu to every one vote for Mohammedan."
Savarkar and Zinnah: Not birds of the same feather
"Zinnah and I were not birds of the same feather because I stood for equality and no concessions. At the same time, Zinnah asked for more and more privileges for Muslims."
Savarkar replied to a reporter in May 1938 in Lahore. (Chapter 4, Page No. 100 & 101)
Doing great things is essential, but so is leaving a legacy.
As far as I know about Veer Savarkar and Mahatma Gandhi, Savarkar always had the upper hand over every subject but especially in social reform movements Like- the Foundation of Patit Pawan Mandir, where people from the lower cast were welcomed, Movement for Lower Cast Hindus against the orthodox ones for the entry in temples and get-together with Lower caste Hindus.
Despite all these historical movements, we have only seen the legacy of Gandhi like "Gram Swaraj" & "Mahajan Sankriti."
Suggestions for Authors
When you discuss the incident when Veer Savarkar and Zinnah ultimately decided to meet after the wadhwani's recommendation, it is on Page No. 149. Yet in the meanwhile, their conference was canceled for political reasons, and that notion eventually perished on its own.
It would help if you considered the incident when Savarkar finally decided to meet with him in his home. Still, once he arrived, one person attempted to attack Zinnah. Fortunately, Zinnah survived. Savarkar then expressed his condolences for the cowardly attack, and Zinnah thanked him for doing so. That was their Movement when they decided against trying to meet up again. (Reference: Savarkar (Part 2) A Contested Legacy, 1924-1966 )
Another one is on Page 287; you build a calendar of Veer Savarkar's life events. What was it that turned Tatya Rao into Swatantraveer Savarkar? It was the incident of June 22, 1897, when WC Rand was Assassinated by Damodar Hari Chapekar and after the Hanging of the Chapekar Brothers. Tatya Rao ultimately uses that reason as justification to declare war on the British. However, the most significant thing should be mentioned in Savarkar's life calendar or any part of the Book.
The audience I would recommend this book to
Savarkar is a subject on which there is much to learn. The book provides the Savarkar's pinpoint, which is still valuable today. But that particularly emphasizes the Savarkar's visual component. This book is the finest choice if you want Savarkar's perspective on national security.
Firstly, I advise everyone in the defense industry to read that book because they should take advantage of the opportunity to learn Savarkar's forward-thinking ideas regarding national security.
Apart from this, every person interested in current issues should read this so that in future he does not make a wrong impression about such a person who made maximum sacrifices for the country under the fake narrative of a leftist or a peaceful.
Comments