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| Savarkar with some co-workers in the Social Reforms Movement at Ratnagiri |
Savarkar’s zeal for social reform stemmed from his abiding faith in humanism. He considered his deeds in the social sphere to be even more important than his spectacular escape from the ship into the ocean. Here are some of his thoughts and words on the subject:
(1)
"Just
as I feel that I should rebel against foreign rule over Hindustan, I feel I
should rebel against caste discrimination and untouchability."
(2)
“He
who wants to truly serve the nation should champion that which is in the
interests of the people irrespective of whether it is popular or not.”
(3)
“working
in the social field is like walking on a bed of thorns. It is not for the
faint-hearted!”
(4)
“To
regard our 70 million co-religionists as ‘untouchables’ and worse than animals
is an insult not only to humanity but also to the sanctity of our soul. . . . eradication
of untouchability is the foremost and absolute dharma."
·
As always, Savarkar advocated swadeshi in
Ratnagiri too. He pushed a cart of swadeshi goods and ran an operation to see
that swadeshi goods were being sold (and bought) in stores. A staunch advocate
of dignity of all labor, he even fluffed mattresses.
· He had extensive discussions with RSS founder
Dr. Hedgewar regarding his proposed organization.
·
While in Ratnagiri Savarkar carried out his work for the freedom struggle
secretly. He also opposed the separation of Sind from the Bombay Presidency and
exhorted Hindus to enroll themselves as Hindus in the successive Census.
·
The police had had a sharp eye on him; his
house was frequently searched. On January 10, 1925, a new weekly Shraddhanand
was started in which he voiced his views on the politics of India and social
reforms with a pseudonym. Most people were unaware it was Savarkar.
·
May
10, 1937: by the efforts of Barrister Jamnalal Mehta, Savarkar was
released unconditionally from his internment at Ratnagiri.
- Anurupa
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