Vinayak Damodar Savarkar viewed the cow as a “useful animal” and opposed the practice of worshipping it as a deity, his grandnephew Satyaki Savarkar told a special MP/MLA court in Pune during the ongoing criminal defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Satyaki Savarkar made the remarks on Tuesday while being cross-examined by Gandhi’s lawyer, Milind Pawar, in the case related to Gandhi’s alleged comments about Savarkar during a speech in London in 2023.
Satyaki Admits Contents of Savarkar’s Book
During the hearing, Gandhi’s counsel produced Vigyan-Nishtha Nibandha (Essays Based on Scientific Reasoning), a book written by V.D. Savarkar. Satyaki Savarkar acknowledged that the book was authored by his granduncle and accepted its contents.
According to the book, Savarkar believed that a cow should be protected because it is useful to humanity, but should not be treated as a goddess.
He wrote, “The cow is plainly an animal. To regard as a deity an animal… is an insult not merely to humanity but to the very concept of divinity.”
Satyaki also admitted that Savarkar compared the usefulness of cows to that of dogs, horses and donkeys, arguing that all such animals deserve protection but not worship.
Views on Cow Worship and Cow Products
The book also criticises the practice of treating cow dung and cow urine as sacred. Savarkar questioned the religious practice of consuming them, saying they could be used for medicinal or agricultural purposes where appropriate but should not be considered acts of religious merit.
He argued that calling the cow “Gaumata” could be understood symbolically, but should not be taken literally.
Savarkar also criticised popular depictions showing Hindu deities residing inside the body of a cow, calling such beliefs irrational and harmful to religion itself.
Scientific Approach to Cow Protection
In his writings, Savarkar urged people to adopt a scientific approach to cattle welfare instead of religious devotion.
He wrote that organisations should focus on breeding healthier cattle, increasing milk production and improving livestock through modern methods. Referring to the United States, Savarkar said it had better cattle management despite cows not being worshipped there.
He also stated that if a cow ceased to be useful under certain circumstances, its slaughter could become necessary, arguing that practical considerations should guide policy rather than religious sentiment.
Background of the Defamation Case
The criminal defamation case was filed by Satyaki Savarkar after Rahul Gandhi allegedly made defamatory remarks about V.D. Savarkar during an event in London in March 2023.
According to the complaint, Gandhi falsely claimed that Savarkar had written about assaulting a Muslim man in one of his books. Satyaki Savarkar has argued that no such incident or writing exists and has sought action against the Congress leader under criminal defamation provisions.
The cross-examination in the Pune court is continuing.
