During cross-examination in his defamation case against Rahul Gandhi, Satyaki also admitted that Savarkar had appealed for Indian recruitment into the British Army for World War II
The court is continuing to examine the historical and ideological legacy of Savarkar as it weighs the defamation charges. Satyaki’s cross-examination is scheduled to continue on June 1.
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Satyaki Savarkar, the grandnephew of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, has testified before a special MP/MLA court in Pune that the Hindutva ideologue had filed five mercy petitions with the British government while imprisoned. During a cross-examination, Satyaki also clarified that Savarkar viewed the cow as a “useful animal” rather than a deity. These admissions, as per LiveLaw occurred during the proceedings of a criminal defamation case lodged by Satyaki against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, whom he accuses of defaming his granduncle during a 2023 speech in London.
Clarification on mercy petitions and military recruitment
Satyaki Savarkar confirmed to the court that his granduncle submitted clemency petitions five times during his incarceration in the Cellular Jail. However, he contextualised this by noting that such petitions were a common practice among many political prisoners of that era.
Furthermore, Satyaki admitted that Savarkar had appealed for Indian recruitment into the British Army during World War II. He defended this action not as a sign of loyalty to the British, but as a strategic move to ensure young Indians received formal military and firearms training, which would be essential for the nation once it achieved independence.
Rationalist views on the cow
In a notable departure from traditional religious narratives often associated with Hindutva, Satyaki stated it was factual to say Savarkar did not consider the cow to be a god. He reiterated that Savarkar’s perspective was rationalist, treating the animal primarily for its utility to society. Satyaki argued that contemporary objections to Savarkar’s views on cows or his military advocacy often stem from a lack of deep engagement with his complete works.
The ongoing defamation battle
The testimony is part of a broader legal conflict triggered by Rahul Gandhi’s remarks, in which the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition allegedly claimed Savarkar had expressed a desire to beat Muslims. Satyaki Savarkar’s legal team has since filed additional applications, including a perjury plea, alleging that Gandhi deliberately misled the court regarding the receipt of key evidence, such as a video of the London speech.
The court is continuing to examine the historical and ideological legacy of Savarkar as it weighs the defamation charges. Satyaki’s cross-examination is scheduled to continue on June 1.
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