Savarkar Filed 10 Mercy Petitions Before British, Revolutionaries Like Bhagat Singh Refused To Compromise : Grandnephew Tells Pune Court

Right-wing ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar had filed 10 mercy petitions with the then British Government seeking reduction of his sentence, his grandnephew Satyaki Savarkar told a special MP/MLA court in Pune, on Monday (June 15).He further stated that there were other freedom fighters and revolutionaries who refused to file clemency petitions before the British.Satyaki made this disclosure in his cross-examination before Special Judge Amol Shinde, who is presently dealing with the criminal defamation case he has filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for allegedly defaming his grand uncle by delivering a speech in London. Gandhi's counsel Milind Pawar is cross-examining Satyaki in the trial. In his testimony, Satyaki on Monday stated that his granduncle was labelled as a 'Veer' in a periodical run by the Gadar Organisation even before he was sent to the Andaman. "It is true to say that, Savarkar had filed a clemency petition ten times. It is true to say that, he was referred to as a 'Veer' when the clemency petition was filed. It is true to say that, Savarkar was referred to as 'Veer' even when he submitted clemency petitions ten times. It is not true to say that, it is a contradiction to call someone a 'Veer' who has filed a clemency petition ten times. It is true to say that, revolutionists from that same period— Rajguru, Batukeshwar Dutt, and Ashfaqulla Khan— did not file a clemency petition. It is true to say that, Savarkar filed a mercy petition within the first month after being sentenced. I was unaware that Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt had petitioned the British government, demanding to be treated as prisoners of war and refusing any concessions or acts of leniency. It is true to say that, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt remained steadfast in their ideology and principles until the very end. I am aware that revolutionist Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt did not compromise on their principles and ideologies in their dealings with the British right to the end," Satyaki told the court. Further, Satyaki told the court that the records pertaining to the 10 mercy or clemency petitions filed by Savarkar are kept in the official government records. He added that the language in these mercy petitions filed by Savarkar did not indicate his 'loyalty' to the British regime."These clemency petitions used to be forwarded by the prison administration to the British government for approval. It is true to say that the British government had the authority to commute or alter the sentences in any mercy petitions that were submitted. It is true to say that, the authority to reduce or remit a sentence depended on the policy and procedure of the British government. It is true to say that, Savarkar's clemency petitions are available in government records. It is true to say that, these petitions exist and that I have not filed them," the testimony reads. Satyaki has further stated that the British government rejected all of Savarkar's clemency petitions and in their replies, expressed the apprehension that if Savarkar were released, he would once again participate in the revolutionary movement, leading to the end of British rule. "It is true to say that, filing a clemency petition to seek a reduction in the sentence was a standard procedure under the British government. It is true to say that, not only Savarkar but other prisoners also filed clemency petitions. It is true to say that, filing a clemency petition was neither exceptional nor illegal. It is not true to say that the language Savarkar used in that clemency petition was one of humility. It is not true to say that the petitions contained words expressing loyalty to the British government. It is true to say that, in that petition, Savarkar requested a reduction of his sentence," the complainant Satyaki said. In his testimony, Satyaki further stated that the language Savarkar used in the clemency petitions was in keeping with official protocol. He opined that the reason revolutionists took up arms was the injustice perpetrated by the British and that Savarkar had expressed the view that had the British implemented reforms earlier, the revolutionists would not have resorted to arms. Further, the court has recorded the excerpts from one of the mercy petitions filed by Savarkar, stating that others sent to the Andaman jail along with him were released but he was not and instead was classified as a Class D prisoner and was subjected to harsh punishments. "I am not aware that Savarkar signed every petition with the text: 'I beg to remain, Sir, your most obedient servant, V.D. Savarkar.' It is not true to say that the process of Savarkar's release began after these ten petitions were filed. I do not have a report available that makes a comparative study of the mercy petitions filed by Savarkar and those filed by other prisoners, as well as their contents. It is true to say that, filing a mercy petition is an official procedure intended to seek a reduction...

Savarkar Filed 10 Mercy Petitions Before British, Revolutionaries Like Bhagat Singh Refused To Compromise : Grandnephew Tells Pune Court

Narsi Benwal

In the criminal defamation filed against Rahul Gandhi, Satyaki Savarkar deposed that the records of mercy petitions are available with the Government.

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Narsi Benwal

Savarkar Filed 10 Mercy Petitions Before British, Revolutionaries Like Bhagat Singh Refused To Compromise : Grandnephew Tells Pune Court

Narsi Benwal

In the criminal defamation filed against Rahul Gandhi, Satyaki Savarkar deposed that the records of mercy petitions are available with the Government.

This is a premium content Available exclusively to Our subscribers

INR 1099+GST

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Narsi Benwal

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