Thread by @sankrant

The issue of Savarkar's "mercy petitions" is so overblown. While Gandhi/Nehru got cushy jails, since they were no real threat, Savarkar got Kaala Paani, hard labor and torture, because he had rattled the Empire

What one writes after years of torture to get out is immaterial.

Meanwhile, there is immense record of Gandhi's active subservience to and collaboration with the British Empire, from his time in South Africa to recruitment of Indians to fight for the British in World War I (and later).

Here he pledges "unconditional service" to the Empire.

In the time period when Savarkar was forming revolutionary societies to fight for complete independence, Gandhi was pledging "unflinching devotion to duty and extreme eagerness to serve our
Sovereign" to "prove Indian Loyalty" to the British.

gandhiashramsevagram.org/gandhi-literat… (Vol II)

While "Ahimsa" was preached to prevent any attacks on the British Empire to whom he was loyal, and to undermine the revolutionary movement in India, he was fully in favor of bearing arms in *aid* of the Empire, actively recruiting soldiers for WW I.

mkgandhi.org/articles/gandh…

His moral gymnastics justified that "serving in the (British) army would develop courageousness in the ordinary Indian"... while undermining Indian revolutionaries who were exhibiting that courage *against* the Empire. Even those who took his "ahimsa" seriously questioned this BS

Even in World War II, India was declared at War by the Viceroy without consulting any Indians. While some in the Congress objected to this, Gandhi and Nehru were the prime collaborators with the British position. And thus rewarded.

"Ahimsa" was not a fraud. It was the best way to aid the Empire. The role was to keep Indians pacified, to completely stop the revolutionary activities which were troubling the British, and to turn Indian suffering into a "high moral principle."

Good article on the relationship and respect that Subhash Chandra Bose had for Savarkar and also Savarkar's influence on Bhagat Singh, who distributed copies of his book and quoted from them.

standpointindia.in/articles/the-f…

British Colonial power were not dumb. They knew Gandhi was useful to them and Savarkar a threat:

"those willing to play the game under the devious rules set by the colonists were rewarded for their cooperation and those who tried to scuttle the game were brutally punished..."

"The 'Mahatma' enjoyed his 'rest periods' in jail...in addition to special servants his prison suite consisted of three rooms with a garden... he betrayed the cause of the people by calling off the Civil Disobedience Movement" (using "ahimsa" excuse 🙄).

nation.com.pk/28-Aug-2009/ho…

The palace for Gandhi’s “jail.”

google.com/amp/s/indianex…