A century of an 'out of the world' gallantry

Ashadh Amavasya / Shravan Shuddha Pratipada, 5111

By Dr. Sacchidanand Shevade

The incident of Swatantryaveer Savarkar jumping in the sea at Marseilles has completed 99 years on 8th July 2009. Reverberations of this incident have been felt even in world politics. It has been a golden leaf in history and every Indian is proud of the same.

Presently, there is a dispute about naming of the sea-link constructed in Mumbai between Bandra and Worli. The name of Savarkar is firmly associated with the Sea. As one utters the name of Savarkar, one immediately remembers ‘Saagara ……’ a poem written by him and the jump at Marseilles. The 100th year of that famous jump has now started. It would have been very much apt if his name was given to the bridge when it was inaugurated, but it makes no difference to the politicians.

Savarkar had thought about this escape at Marseilles even before he was being sent to India from Brixton. A message to that effect was also sent to V. V. S. Aiyar who had, in turn, conveyed it to Madam Kama. Had the plan been successful, he would have definitely escaped and the oppression and atrocities of the foreign rule could have been taken to the international level.

From the prison, Savarkar wrote a poetic letter titled ‘Maze Mrutyupatra’ (My will) to his sister-in-law, Yesu vahini. In the first stanza itself, the purpose of his life is made very clear.

‘Hey Matrubhumi, …………..

…………………………………

…………………………………’

On 1st July 1910, he was put on a ship called ‘Moria’ and on 7th July, the ship reached Marseilles. He measured the width of the port-hole in the latrine with his ‘janava’ (sacred thread). The diameter of the window was 12 inches and Savarkar’s chest circumference was 32 inches. After checking all these things, in the morning of 8th July, he pretended to go to the latrine. As soon as he entered it, he removed his shirt and spread it on the glass of the door. He leaped into the port-hole and somehow squeezed his body through it. The guards on the ship broke open the door of the latrine, but Savarkar, despite his pared skin, had jumped into the sea. The quarter-master standing on the gangway saw this and raised an alarm. It was an out of the world bravery to jump into the unknown sea to escape imprisonment. What if his head would have banged against a rock ? This jump, therefore, was an epitome of bravery, courage and incomparable grit. The quay was of 9 feet height that had gathered a lot of moss; therefore, Savarkar slipped twice in water; still he climbed the quay. He, however, did not find any of his associates and so he started to run. At some distance, he saw a French policeman. Savarkar told him, “Take me into your custody. Assist me. Take me before a Magistrate !” But the policeman did not know English and Savarkar did not know French. By then, the guards from the ship reached there, bribed the policeman and took Savarkar back into custody.

Their beating on the ship stopped only when he warned them that, he would kill one of them. The English tried to suppress the matter, but due to Madam Kama, the news was published in French newspaper ‘Le Tan’ on 9th July and in ‘Daily Mail’ on 11th July. Now an inner cabin was selected for Savarkar and there was round the clock patrol. He used to be taken for walks on the deck of the ship with two guards in tow who used to hold his hands while walking. The lights in that cabin were always kept on and arrangements were made to always focus the light on his face. He could not get a sound sleep because of those lights. Even in such a situation, he wrote down some verses like ‘Anaadi mi, Anant mi (I have no beginning and no end) ……..’ Later, the Moria ship sailed to Eden, where Savarkar was disembarked, in a cordon of armed soldiers and was put on a steamer named ‘Salset’. On 22nd July, the steamer reached Mumbai under tight security. Acharya Atre, a renowned litterateur had described the incident as “When this ‘lion-man’ was put behind bars by the British, even the brave British officers would be afraid of his spirited vehemence and roaring.”

The news published in newspapers brought pressure on the French Government. The Government raised the point of right in accordance with international constraints and the British diplomats had a tough time answering such queries. Even the British newspapers like ‘Daily Mail’ took the Government to task. Barrister Baptista was the advocate of Savarkar. He discussed the whole issue of Marseilles with Savarkar, noted it down and later, sent it to his friends in Paris. Articles were written in the newspapers like ‘Le Humanite’ and ‘Le Tan’. ‘Daily News’ did the same thing in England. It became very difficult for the British Government to answer everyone. Finally, the French Government suggested that the opinion of the international court at Hague should be sought on the issue. Britain agreed for the same, but dismissed the demand to put a stay on the prosecution till the verdict of the court. All the confusion was created to decide whether Savarkar should be handed over to the French Government or not. Savarkar was sentenced to two life imprisonments on 30th January 1911 even before the judgment of international court could be obtained. The hearing was done ‘In camera’ in Hague and the verdict was given in favour of England. This stirred up a hornet’s nestfor the French Government, resulting in the resignation of the French Prime Minster.

This one act of Savarkar, however, drew the attention of the whole world towards him !

(This article is published in Daily Loksatta)