Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat are expected to arrive in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Thursday to participate in a series of events honouring the legacy of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. According to a senior official, their visit will include the unveiling of a new statue of Savarkar and the release of a commemorative song, both forming part of a larger programme marking a significant milestone associated with the revolutionary leader’s life and work.

The administration has heightened security measures in anticipation of the high-profile visits. Officials indicated that traffic regulations may be imposed in certain parts of the islands to facilitate smooth movement and ensure public safety. The events are expected to attract substantial attention given the stature of the leaders involved and the historical significance of the commemoration.

Mohan Bhagwat is likely to hold a brief interaction with RSS workers at Dollygunj in Sri Vijaya Puram. This marks his first visit to the archipelago in his capacity as the sarsanghchalak of the RSS. His previous visit to the islands took place nearly twenty years ago when he served as the sarkaryavah, the organisation’s general secretary. Amit Shah, meanwhile, will be making his second visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands; he had earlier travelled to the region in January 2023 on the occasion of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s 126th birth anniversary.

The key event of their current visit is scheduled for December 12, when both leaders will jointly unveil a statue of Savarkar at Beodnabad in South Andaman at around 9:30 a.m. Later that evening, they will take part in another ceremony at the Dr B. R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology, where a song dedicated to Savarkar will be officially released. This cultural element adds depth to the commemorative programme, highlighting Savarkar not only as a political figure and revolutionary but also as a poet and literary contributor.

The following day, December 13, Bhagwat is expected to address a public gathering at the ITF Ground in Sri Vijaya Puram during the evening hours. His address is anticipated to draw significant attendance, particularly from local residents, RSS members, and individuals connected to cultural and historical organisations. Bhagwat is scheduled to depart from the islands on December 14.

Amit Shah may conclude his visit earlier, departing either late on December 12 or on the morning of December 13, depending on schedule finalisation and security assessments.

The events are being organised by a Maharashtra-based business group to mark the 116th anniversary of Savarkar’s celebrated poem Sagara Pran Talamala, written in 1909. The poem holds a distinguished place in Savarkar’s literary repertoire and resonates deeply with his ideological and emotional relationship with the Indian freedom struggle. The occasion serves not only as a remembrance of his poetic contributions but also as a tribute to his enduring legacy in India’s nationalist narrative.

Savarkar’s association with the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is central to his historical identity. In 1911, he was imprisoned by the British colonial administration in the infamous Cellular Jail in Port Blair—a site that continues to stand as a symbol of the sacrifices made by Indian freedom fighters. His incarceration at the Cellular Jail remains one of the most well-known episodes of his life and underscores the relevance of the islands as a location for commemorative events in his honour.

The upcoming visit of Shah and Bhagwat thus represents a continuation of the ongoing efforts to preserve and highlight the historical legacy of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Through statues, cultural programmes, public gatherings, and literary tributes, these events aim to foster public understanding of Savarkar’s contributions and reaffirm his place in the broader context of India’s freedom movement.