Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the port city of Marseille along with French President Emmanuel Macron, where the two will inaugurate a new Indian consulate general and also pay tribute to the Indian soldiers who died in the World Wars.
PM Modi said Marseille holds special significance as it was here that freedom fighter Veer Savarkar attempted a courageous escape from British authorities and thanked the French activists of the time who demanded that he not be handed over to British custody.
In post on X, the PM said:
“President Macron and I reached Marseille a short while ago. This visit will witness important programmes aimed at further connecting India and France. The Indian consulate which is being inaugurated will deepen people-to-people linkages. I will also pay homage to the Indian soldiers martyred in First and Second World Wars.
“Landed in Marseille. In India’s quest for freedom, this city holds special significance. It was here that the great Veer Savarkar attempted a courageous escape. I also want to thank the people of Marseille and the French activists of that time who demanded that he not be handed over to British custody.
“The bravery of Veer Savarkar continues to inspire generations!”
In July 1910, Veer Savarkar was arrested in London in connection with the Nasik Conspiracy Case and was being taken by ship to India for trial when he jumped into the sea when the ship docked at Marseille and swam to the French coast, braving the firing from the ship.
Savarkar was in the UK for his law studies and had involved himself with organizations such as India House and the Free India Society. He also published books advocating complete Indian independence.
The British government ordered that he be extradited to India for his connections with India House. On the voyage back to India, Savarkar staged an attempt to escape from the steamship SS Morea and seek asylum in France while the ship was docked in the port of Marseille. The French port officials, however, handed him back to the British government.
Savarkar’s attempted escape triggered diplomatic tensions between France and Britain.
France alleged that his return “violated international law”, as proper extradition procedures were not followed.
The case was submitted to the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which ruled in 1911 that while there was an “irregularity” in his arrest, Britain was not obligated to return him to France.
The French government argued that Savarkar being handed over to the British authorities violated international law, as proper extradition procedures were not followed.
