Death Anniversary of VD Savarkar | 27 Feb 2026

Source: PIB

The Prime Minister paid tributes to Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (Veer Savarkar) on his 60th death anniversary (26th February, 2026). He passed away in Mumbai on 26th February, 1966.

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar

• About: He was a revolutionary nationalist, political ideologue, and social reformer, and influenced by leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal. He was also known as Swatantryaveer Savarkar.
• Revolutionary Nationalism: Founded the Mitra Mela in 1899, which later evolved into the Abhinav Bharat Society in 1904. He also established the Free India Society in London (1906). He was closely associated with India House (founded by Shyamji Krishna Varma in London), a hub for revolutionary activities.
• Trial and Kala Pani: He was arrested for conspiring to murder the Nashik collector (Nasik Conspiracy Case, 1910). He famously attempted to escape the British while being transported via Marseilles (France) but was recaptured. 
  • After trial, he was sentenced to 50 years' imprisonment and deported to the infamous Cellular Jail (Kala Pani) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1911. He was eventually released in 1924 after writing multiple mercy petitions (1911–1920).
• Political Career: Served as the President of the Hindu Mahasabha (1937–1943). He opposed the Quit India Movement (1942), calling it impractical. He also engaged in discussions on the Cripps Mission (1942) and Wavell Plan (1945).
• Social Reform: He fought caste discrimination by promoting inter-caste marriage, establishing the Patit-Pavan Mandir in Ratnagiri in 1931 for Dalit temple entry, and supporting the right of sea-crossing.
• Literary Contributions: He authored the influential book The History of the First War of Indian Independence (1909), which redefined the 1857 uprising as a unified nationalist struggle, and he sometimes used the pen-name "Mahratta" for his writings (e.g., book Essentials of Hindutva).
  • In 1923, while interned in Ratnagiri, he wrote "Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?", defining India as a Hindu Rashtra based on cultural and civilizational identity.
• Legacy: In a symbolic recognition, Port Blair Airport was renamed Veer Savarkar International Airport (2002).