Thread by @Rammyyyyy_

Gandhi admired Hindutva icon #Savarkar as ‘lover of truth’, addressed him as bhai!

1) As one looks back at the history of VD Savarkar on his 138th birth anniversary, it is important to note that he was not at loggerheads with Mahatma Gandhi, as the common perception holds.

Both of them enjoyed such a good rapport that Gandhi referred to him as “bhai".

2) Gandhi addressed Savarkar as “bhai” in a letter he wrote from Sevagram, Maha, on 22 March 1945 (Collected Works of Gandhi, e-book, Publication Division, GOI, Volume 86, Page 86)! Here's the text:

3) It all started with the efforts to take the Savarkar brothers out of the Cellular Jail in the Andamans. Gandhi was a vocal votary of getting both the Savarkar brothers released immediately. He was all praise for their sacrifice and spirit of nationalism.

4) Referring to a royal proclamation issued in Dec 1919 that had led to the release of many political prisoners except the Savarkar brothers, Gandhi wrote in Young India on 26th May 1920 (Mahatm Gandhi: Collected Works, e-book, Publication Division, GOI, Volume 20, page 368-371):

5) In another letter to freedom fighter Shankarrao Deo dated 20 July 1937 (Collected Works of Mr Gandhi: Volume 72, Page 50-51), Gandhi wrote, “About Shri Savarkar, I did refuse to sign the memorial for, as I told those who came to me, it was wholly unnecessary as Shri Savarkar..

was bound to be released after the coming into force of the new Act. And that is what has happened. The Savarkar Brothers, at least, know that whatever the differences between us as to certain fundamentals, I could never contemplate with equanimity their incarceration..

"Perhaps, Dr Savarkar will bear me out when I say that I did whatever was in my power after my own way to secure their release. And the barrister (VD Savarkar) will perhaps recall the pleasant relations that existed between us when we met for the first time in London and how,...

and how, when nobody was forthcoming, I presided at the meeting that was held in his honour in London", Gandhi wrote.

6) In a letter to freedom fighter MR Jayakar dated 25 Feb 1933 (Volume 59, page 384), Gandhi wrote, “I wonder if you were able to pass on my letter about the opening ceremony (of two temples in Ratnagiri) to Vinayakrao. He has certainly done very good social work in Ratnagiri."

7) When the Bihar government banned the annual session of the Hindu Mahasabha (Savarkar was the president of the Hindu Mahasabha at the time) from being held between 1 December 1941 and 10 January 1942, Gandhi came out openly in the latter’s defence.

In a press statement Gandhi issued from Bardoli, Gujarat, on 27 December 1941 (Volume 81, page-391-392), he said: “The action of the Bihar Government in banning the meeting of the Hindu Mahasabha has always appeared to me to be inexplicable..

I see that Vir Savarkar had accommodated the Bihar authorities to the extent of postponing the session with a view to coming to an understanding. When all attempts at a settlement failed, civil resistance was the only remedy open to the suppressed Hindu Mahasabha...

He further said, “I congratulate the leaders of the Sabha on their dignified and peaceful protest against the utterly arbitrary action of the Bihar Government. ….I hope that there will be only one end to this Bihar episode, viz., lifting of the ban on the Hindu Mahasabha..

and the men who are imprisoned today holding their session without let or hindrance.

8) Mahadev Desai, an associate of Gandhi, offered an interesting account in his ‘Weekly Letter’ on 17 March 1927, about a meeting between VD Savarkar and Gandhi at Ratnagiri, Maharashtra...

Desai wrote, “… Savarkar asked Gandhiji to clear his attitude about untouchability and shuddhi. Gandhiji cleared some of the misrepresentations and said: ‘We cannot have long talk today, but you know my regard for you as a lover of truth..

and as one who would lay down his life for the sake of truth. Besides, our goal is ultimately one and I would like you to correspond with me as regards all points of difference between us.
(Collected Works of Gandhi: Volume 38, Page 176-180).”

9) This was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, so-called Father of Nation for you. It's very important to expose those who helped in nurturing the Hindutva politics in this country.
#HypocrisyOf70YearsNCounting

10) At last, want to mention a quote by Sharjeel Imam on Gandhi: "We should know that the biggest fascist leader of the 20th century is Gandhi himself. Who brought this communal government, who brought Ram Rajya, who made the congress into a Hindu party, Gandhi did..

Extremist Nationalism is vastly different from moderate nationalism. Extremist nationalism is Hindu nationalism. The foundation for Hindu nationalism was laid in 1890 itself but it bore fruit with the arrival of Gandhi on the scene."

END.