Vinayak Damodar Savarkar is without a doubt one of the most divisive political philosophers and politicians of the twentieth century. He is the intellectual founder of the Hindutva ideology, which is currently in political ascendancy in India. His turbulent and adventurous life has been described in a variety of ways, from eulogising hagiographies to scathing demonization. The truth, as always, lies somewhere in the middle and, regrettably, has never been made public. Gandhi, his peaceful philosophy, and the Indian National Congress were all fierce opponents, but Savarkar and his ideology stood out as one of the most formidable. Savarkar was allegedly an atheist and a devout rationalist who challenged traditional Hindu beliefs, supported inter-caste dating and dining, and saw cow worship as simple superstition.