Subhas Chandra Bose and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar

Adapted from Banhiman Netaji - Subhas Chandra Bose met Savarkar in June 1940 after he met Mahatma Gandhi and Jinnah. Vinayak Savarkar was a dangerous enemy for the British Government. After spending twenty six years in prison, of which around thirteen years in notorious Cellular jail, Savarkar, who was originally sentenced to fifty years in prison, was released conditionally in 1937. Savarkar had a vision, of preparing the Hindus militarily by enabling them to get military training by joining Indian army. It is to be noted that Rashbehari Bose was intimately linked with Savarkar and also formed a branch of Hindu Mahasabha in Japan. According to Dr. N.B Khare, who was a witness, Savarkar in the meeting wanted to know about the plan of Subhas Chandra Bose. Savarkar himself had planned an uprising among the army during the first world war, along with Rashbehari Bose. That was why he was too dangerous to the British Government. In their discussion Savarkar had mentioned about Rashbehari Bose's plan and activities - Indian Independence League and its purpose, and opined that the only way to drive the British out of India was to attack British India with the help of its enemies abroad, using an army comprised of Indians. He said, "This is the only way to drive out the British, by taking advantage of their difficulties. A daring and enterprising young man like you should slip away from India, secure help from the enemies of British and invade India to drive away the British by an armed conflict." (Mani Bagchi - Veer Savarkar)