Savarkar’s lawyers wanted the case to be tried in England but his petition was dismissed and the Judge gave a verdict transferring the case to Indian courts.
Now Savarkar knew that he would be transported to India. He prepared himself for the departure. He spoke bidding farewell to his friends based in England and France—‘My dear friends! This may be our last meeting. We might not meet again. I don’t go of my own will. The British are transferring my case to India. Perhaps God wills it. His will has to be obeyed. Friends, I see you sad. Why the sadness? Whoever comes must go. As the dew freshens up the flowers every morning similarly every tomorrow will give new life to our friendship. So, friends accept my last greeting.”
On 29th the June, 1910 Savarkar was put on the ship named Maria bound for India. The friends bade him good bye tearfully and watched the ship recede into horizon.
Savarkar was being escorted by ten guards who were keeping a strict watch on him. As the French coast came into sight all the passengers went on the deck to watch the scene including Savarkar and his guards. All were lost in viewing the pretty French port.
Suddenly, Savarkar broke away and jumped into the water. One of the guards saw him splashing into the water. He screamed, “The prisoner is in the sea. Get him!”
His scream created commotion among the passengers and the guards. Everyone leaned on the railing to see the fallen prisoner. They saw a small figure trying to swim on the waves. Savarkar swam to the port wall and tried to scale it but he slipped and fell down. He tried again bravely and succeeded in climbing the wall. He ran away from the coast. The guards kept screaming “Thief! Thief!! Catch him!!”
Savarkar kept running as the ship docked and the guards began to disembark.
Running Savarkar saw a French policeman. He ran to him and pleaded, “Please take me to some judge.”
He had spoken in English. The French policeman didn’t understand English. Savarkar tried to talk to him in his broken French. Just then, the English guards arrived there and they grabbed Savarkar. He was dragged back to the ship.
It was against the international laws but there was no one to come to his rescue. The British were able to capture him on a neutral soil.
The guards brought him back on the ship where the commander of the guards raised his hand to strike Savarkar. Savarkar grabbed his raised hand and warned, “Don’t you try to strike me!” I am a political prisoner and not your slave. First of all you had no right to imprison me on a neutral soil. I won’t tolerate any ill treatment. If you do I will avenge it even if it is the last thing I do in this life.”
The commander backed out.
The news of his escape bid was printed by several newspaper world over.
On 22nd July, 1910 the ship docked at Bombay port. When he landed both his hands were handcuffed and he was surrounded by armed policemen. He was transported to the railway station and then taken to Nasik by train.
After a few days he was transferred to Yerwada Jail.
There secretary of the central government wrote to the governor of Bombay to try Savarkar. Accordingly special protection was provided to Savarkar. A special court, special judge and vehicle was appointed. Savarkar was granted no right to appeal in the court.
The trial continued.
Then, he was shifted to Dongri Jail where he saw his younger brother Narayan serving the sentence with other prisoners.
One day, the prosecution asked Savarkar to make his statement. Savarkar said, “I won’t make any statement because English judges of India are a blot in the name of justice.”
The prosecution produced three hundred approvers and witnesses against Savarkar. Savarkar was asked to defend his case.
Savarkar said, “I consider you outside the jurisdiction of Indian law and justice. I won’t produce any witness.”
The chief justice gave his verdict, “This court sentences Vinayak Savarkar to life imprisonment and his property to be confiscated.”
That was not all.
He was ‘again’ tried for instigating the killers of Nasik collector. The trial was speeded up and within a week Savarkar was awarded another life sentence.
But the news of the second life sentence was not given to the newspapers. Even the jail officials were not aware of the second life sentence. They were informed later on.
One day, Jail superintendent came to Savarkar and informed, “You have got second life sentence. You will get food and jail uniform like other prisoner. Wear the uniform and display your badge.”
Savarkar received the uniform and the token he was to wear. ‘D’ was inscribed on the token. It stood for ‘Dangerous’. That meant he would never again see the outside world in his life.
He sent a message to the judge through the Jail Superintendent which read—‘You have faithfully served the government by awarding me two life sentences. I will again take birth on this very land. Now no one can deny India the freedom.’
Serving his sentences Savarkar kept sending out messages to his followers asking them not to lose courage and continue to serve the cause of the country. In next birth we surely well liberate Mother India, he assured.
Savarkar was then shifted to Byculla jail from Dongri. It was at a deserted place. He was no more served milk and provided books. He applied for the same but was told that the milk was not necessary.
For reading he was provided ‘Bible’ only. Savarkar studied the Bible and decided to write verses on it. Here he was very lonely. Reading and writing were only activities he engaged in. The authorities were somewhat confused about Savarkar. He was once again shifted, this time to Thane Jail.
When he was brought out of Byculla Jail a crowd was waiting outside to catch a glimpse of Savarkar. But the police dispersed them. In Thane Jail authorities wanted to mentally torture him. So, outside his cell fierce looking Muslim prisoners were posted on guard.
He was served millet rotis and pickle to eat. The rotis used to be half baked. Mostly Savarkar had to live on water.
A jail warden was admirer of Savarkar. He had heard all the stories of Savarkar’s deeds against the British. When Savarkar was brought to Thane Jail the warden could see his hero in flesh and blood. It excited him.
On the very first day he managed to meet Savarkar. He said, “I am your devotee. I have heard about your daring acts against firangi. I wan’t to serve in secrecy and privately.”
“Good. Know about my brother Narayan?” Savarkar asked.
“Yes, he is here in this jail. He has even given me note for you.” The warden gave Savarkar a note. Narayan had written—‘You are avowed to the freedom of the country. Please don’t lose courage even if you have to do more sacrifices.’
Savarkar was proud of his brother for his fortitude and resolve. He gave a chit to the warden to be passed on to Narayan.
The warden did his job but Narayan was shifted to another prison for some season.
