Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (1883-1966)

Why in the News? : Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Veer Savarkar on his birth anniversary on 29,2025.
Introduction : Veer Savarkar was a prominent freedom fighter, revolutionary and writer. He established Abhinav Bharat Society and Free India Society.
Revolutionary Life : In 1910, he was arrested for the murder of a British magistrate. He was sentenced to two life terms and sent to the Cellular Jail (Kala Pani) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. After his release from prison in 1921, he was placed under house arrest in Ratnagiri. During this time, he wrote the book ‘Hindutva : Who is a Hindu ?’, in which he defined the ideology of Hindutva. He also worked against untouchability. In 1937, he became President of the Hindu Mahasabha.
Significance : Veer Savarkar made significant contributions to India’s freedom struggle. His autobiography, ‘My Lifelong Imprisonment’, is his significant work.