After Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slammed Maharashtra Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray, for his silence on Congress’ criticism of respected freedom fighter, Veer Savarkar, Shiv Sena struck back, on Monday, Oct 26, and questioned the saffron leaders why had they not yet conferred V D Savarkar, a former Hindutva Ideologue and freedom fighter, with a Bharat Ratna, a highest civilian award in the country.
Sena’s Chief Spokesperson and Member of Parliament (MP), Sanjay Raut, while talking to reporters, stated that India’s Highest Civilian Award be given to Veer Savarkar, a great and Hindutvavadi Leader. In the latest Lok Sabha sitting, BJP MP Gopal Shetty, asked about the progress of conferring the Bharat Ratna to the freedom fighter, Veer Savarkar. The Ministry of Home Affairs, in response, said, ”Recommendations for Bharat Ratna are received regularly from various quarters, but no formal recommendation for this award is necessary. The decisions regarding Bharat Ratna are taken from time to time. This is the decision that the government would take on its own.”
During the Sena’s annual Dussehra Rally, Maharashtra CM delivered his speech at the Savarkar Hall in Dadar, Mumbai on Sunday, Oct 25. The State BJP Spokesperson, Keshav Upadhye, pointed out, “Uddhav Thackeray did not say a word about the Congress criticising Savarkar and now he had to address the Dussehra rally from the Savarkar auditorium. This is poetic justice.” In continuation to the accusation, both the parties spoke equally diligently, and established that Shiv Sena had never been quiet on issues relating to Savarkar and will never do so.
The BJP then accused Shiv Sena of discarding their stand and belief on Hindutva for power. Raut asked those who oppose the idea of Bharat Ratna to Veer Savarkar must spend at least two days in Andaman’s cellular jail and that only then they will realize the sacrifices made by Veer Savarkar.
“We have always been demanding respect for Veer Savarkar. Those who oppose Bharat Ratna for Veer Savarkar should be put for at least two days in Andaman’s cellular jail where Savarkar was lodged. It is only then that they will realize his sacrifice and contribution to the nation.” Raut said. He also clarified that his party never changed its stand on Veer Savarkar, and that the late Balasaheb Thackeray founded Shiv Sena stood against those who criticized Veer Savarkar. “Shiv Sena never changed its stand on Veer Savarkar. Whenever an inappropriate comment was made to insult him, we stood by him,” Raut said. “Those who are criticising us must answer why they didn’t give him Bharat Ratna.” concluded Raut while addressing the media.
