May 30 2023, Mumbai: Randeep Hooda’s directorial debut film, “Swatantrya Veer Savarkar,” has found itself mired in controversy due to allegations of distorting historical facts surrounding the freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Hooda’s claim that Savarkar was the inspiration behind iconic freedom fighters such as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, and Khudiram Bose has been strongly condemned by Subhas Chandra Bose’s grandnephew and renowned political figure, Chandra Kumar Bose. In response to the film’s portrayal, Chandra Kumar Bose has criticised the alleged historical inaccuracies and urged respect for preserving the integrity of historical events.
Chandra Kumar Bose took to Twitter, cautioning Hooda to refrain from distorting history if he truly respects Veer Savarkar. In subsequent interviews with news channels, he emphasised that his famous grand-uncle, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, was inspired primarily by Swami Vivekananda and Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das. To substantiate his claim, Chandra Kumar Bose shared an excerpt from a speech delivered by Netaji on May 12, 1940, in Jhargram, West Bengal. In that speech, Netaji condemned the Hindu Mahasabha’s entry into politics by exploiting religion and urged all Hindus to denounce them as traitors.
Contrary to Hooda’s assertions, Bhagat Singh, an influential figure in India’s struggle for independence, held Marxist ideologies and was well-versed in the works of Mikhail Bakunin, the founder of Anarchism. At the young age of 23, Bhagat Singh, moments before his execution, was engrossed in Clara Zetkin’s “Reminiscences of Lenin,” a German Marxist literature. He founded the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army and left behind a manifesto titled “Why I Am an Atheist.” Additionally, during his trial for bombing the Central Legislative Assembly, Bhagat Singh even requested the magistrate to send a telegram drafted by him to the Third International, addressed to Lenin, expressing support for the Russian experiment and international working-class movement.
Khudiram Bose, the youngest martyr of the Indian freedom struggle, was executed at the age of 18. His association with Veer Savarkar, as claimed by Hooda, is refuted by historical records. Bose’s early exposure to the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and Sister Nivedita, through their speeches during their visit to Medinipur, greatly influenced him. He later joined the revolutionary group Anushilan Samiti and was inspired by its leader, Barindra Kumar Ghosh, who was also Sri Aurobindo’s younger brother. Savarkar’s role in the lives of these three freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Khudiram Bose remains unsubstantiated and contradicts the narrative presented in Hooda’s film.
The controversy surrounding “Swatantrya Veer Savarkar” has raised concerns about the distortion of historical events for artistic purposes. Historical accuracy plays a crucial role in preserving the integrity of India’s freedom struggle and the sacrifices made by its heroes. Chandra Kumar Bose’s criticism reflects a broader sentiment shared by those who believe that history should be presented faithfully, free from any distortions that might compromise the understanding of our nation’s past. It serves as a reminder that the responsibility of filmmakers and storytellers lies in ensuring that their narratives align with the documented accounts and recognized historical sources, respecting the legacy of those who fought for India’s independence.
Article By Tanya Chantola