Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, commonly known as Veer Savarkar, was an Indian independence activist, politician, lawyer, writer, and social reformer. He is credited with coining the term 'Hindutva' and is considered one of the most influential leaders of the Hindutva movement.

Savarkar was born in Maharashtra to a family of Brahmins. He studied at Fergusson College in Pune and later at Elphinstone College in Mumbai. He became involved in the Indian independence movement while studying in England and was arrested and imprisoned several times by the British authorities.

Savarkar returned to India in 1909 and founded the Abhinav Bharat Society, a secret society that advocated armed revolution against the British. He also wrote a number of books, including Hindutva: Who Is a Hindu?, which advocated Hindu supremacy.

Savarkar was arrested again in 1910 for his involvement in the murder of a British official in India. He was sentenced to two life terms in prison but was pardoned in 1924. He was later elected to the Indian Legislative Assembly and served as President of the Hindu Mahasabha, a right-wing Hindu nationalist political party.

Savarkar continued to advocate for Hindu supremacy and the use of violence against minorities, especially Muslims. He was also a vocal critic of Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress. Savarkar became the leader of the Hindu Mahasabha and advocated the establishment of a Hindu Rashtra or Hindu Nation. 

He also called for the boycott of British goods, and the use of Swadeshi products. Savarkar was a strong critic of the Congress party and advocated complete independence from Britain. He also opposed the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan. Savarkar was arrested again in 1948, for his involvement in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. He was tried and acquitted but was banned from holding any public office. Savarkar died in 1966. Even though he was a controversial figure, he was respected by many for his contribution to the Indian independence movement.

Savarkar was arrested again in 1948 for his involvement in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. He was acquitted of all charges but was banned from holding any public office. He died in 1966.

Savarkar was a controversial figure and his legacy is still debated in India. Some consider him a hero of the Hindutva movement, while others view him as a Hindu nationalist and a proponent of violence.