Veer Savarkar’s grandson Satyaki Savarkar’s retorts in cross-examination foils Rahul Gandhi and his lawyers’ plan

Case regarding disparaging remarks about Veer Savarkar

Pune – The hearing in the defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for making baseless allegations and objectionable remarks about Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar is underway in a special court in Pune. During the proceedings, the cross-examination of Veer Savarkar’s grandson and petitioner, Mr Satyaki Savarkar, was conducted. All attempts by Rahul Gandhi’s lawyers to cast doubt on Savarkar’s patriotism and the title of “Veer” bestowed upon him were effectively rebutted by Mr Satyaki Savarkar through direct and forthright answers. As court hours concluded, the cross-examination of Savarkar was adjourned until 1 July 2026.

Factual position presented by Mr Satyaki Savarkar before the Court

1. Savarkar was ‘Veer’ even before his imprisonment in the Andaman

During the hearing, Rahul Gandhi’s lawyers objected to the use of the title “Veer” for Savarkar. Referring to historical records, Mr Satyaki Savarkar stated, “Even in the literature of the famous Ghadar Movement, Savarkar has been referred to as ‘Veer Savarkar’. This title was not conferred through government patronage, but was the highest public honour bestowed by the people in recognition of his revolutionary work.”

2. The British feared Savarkar

Filing petitions during British rule was a regular and lawful process. All petitions submitted by Savarkar were rejected by the British Government. According to internal British records, officials feared that if Savarkar were released, “he would once again lead revolutionary activities against the British Empire.” (The attempt by Rahul Gandhi and his legal team to make a fuss out of Savarkar’s so-called “mercy petitions” was merely political propaganda motivated by malice. Under the British legal framework of the time, such petitions were part of a judicial process. Failure to understand this reflects the intellectual bankruptcy of Congress leaders! – Editor)

3. A struggle not for his own release, but for all prisoners

Through these petitions, Savarkar did not seek only his own release; he consistently demanded the release of all political prisoners languishing in the hellish conditions of the Andaman. (Those with self-centred mentality in today’s world will never understand a struggle fought for the rights of others rather than for oneself! – Editor)

4. Different honorific titles have been used to recognise the contributions of various revolutionaries

Referring to great revolutionaries such as Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, and Batukeshwar Dutt, Mr Satyaki Savarkar clarified that Indian society has honoured different revolutionaries with different titles in recognition of their contributions. It was the people themselves who called some “Veer,” some “Mahatma,” and others “Netaji.” The central issue in this case is not Savarkar’s mercy petitions, but the defamatory statements made by Rahul Gandhi about Savarkar. All substantial and necessary evidence relating to this defamation has been presented before the Court.