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Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday launched an unusually harsh attack on the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi over remarks about the late Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar. Addressing a "Savarkar Gaurav Yatra" event in the metropolis, Mr. Fadnavis used a swear word while referring to Congress leaders' comments on Savarkar. These leaders were not telling the public that Savarkar had written to the British authorities from prison not for himself but for his fellow prisoners.
Rahul Gandhi often accused Savarkar of "apologizing" to the British for his release from jail, and regularly responded to the Bharatiya Janata Party's demands for an apology by saying he was a Gandhi and not Savarkar for pleading for mercy.
“It was Savarkar who, after returning to Ratnagiri from his prison in the Andamans, initiated various activities to achieve social reforms. Savarkar had said that if we don't abolish untouchability, we will never become a great nation.
“But those who are born with a golden spoon call it mafiero (mercy seeker),” Fadnavis said, criticizing congressional leaders.
Party leader Bharatiya Janata further claimed that a congratulatory motion on Savarkar's independence was moved by a member from West Bengal in Parliament, and the Congress was opposed except by one person's party.
"His name was Feroze Gandhi, the grandfather of Rahul Gandhi," Fadnavis said at the rally.
Further attacking Rahul Gandhi, Mr Fadnavis said that the former had taken a 'false surname' and that 'you are neither Savarkar nor Gandhi'.
Does he (Rahul Gandhi) even know the history of the country? questioned Mr. Fadnavis.
“Some people's party is run with money provided by the Chinese government. But they call Savarkar a mobster,” he said in a sweep to Congress.
“Savarkar endured harsh suffering, poor quality food and all kinds of harassment from the British in the Andamans prison,” the CM MP said.
He also attacked Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray over his alliance with Congress, which regularly "insults" Savarkar.
"I want to ask Uddhav Thackeray if Rahul Gandhi deleted one of his tweets insulting Savarkar. Thackeray even offered flowers to the photo of Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister and Rahul Gandhi's father. But have Sonia or Rahul ever made a gesture like this? Gandhi towards the late Balasaheb Thackeray," he asked.
The BJP-Shiv Sena seized on the comments against Savarkar to attack the Congress and also blamed Uddhav Thackeray for the undivided Sena under Balasaheb Thackeray regularly demanding Bharat Ratna for the late Hindutva ideologue.
The ruling alliance plans to carry out such yatras in the 288-seat Maharashtra Assembly.
The Eknath Shinde government is also planning to hold a 'Veerbhoomi Parikrama' in Nashik, Ratnagiri, Sangli, Pune and Mumbai from May 21-28 to mark Savarkar's birthday.
The state government has announced that it will build a museum dedicated to Savarkar at Bhagur in Nashik.
