Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during 'Savarkar Gaurav Yatra' [File Photo]
On April 11, Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra Government announced that it will celebrate Veer Savarkar’s birth anniversary on May 28 as ‘Swatantrya Veer Gaurav Din.’ Furthermore, the government will organise various programmes to propagate Veer Savarkar’s ideas.
CMO Maharashtra tweeted in Marathi, “The Chief Minister @mieknathshinde announced that the birth anniversary of Swatantrya Veer Savarkar on May 28 will be celebrated as ‘Swatantrya Veer Gaurav Din’ by the state government. On the day, various programs will be organized for the propagation of the ideas of Swatantra Veer Savarkar.”
“Swatantra Veer Savarkar has made a great contribution for the country’s independence and national development. Industries Minister Uday Samant had demanded to celebrate ‘Swatantryaveer Gaurav Din’ to salute his patriotism, courage and progressive thoughts,” CMO Maharashtra added.
Maharashtra Government’s plan to propagate Veer Savarkar’s ideas comes after Congress leader and former MP Rahul Gandhi insulted the freedom fighter on March 25. Rahul Gandhi replied, “My name is not Savarkar, my name is Gandhi. Gandhi does not apologise to anyone,” while answering a question during his press conference after being disqualified from Lok Sabha following his conviction in the ‘Modi’ surname defamation case.
In response to Rahul Gandhi’s comments against Veer Savarkar, Maharashtra’s ruling Shiv Sena-BJP alliance organised Savarkar Gaurav Yatra. Mumbai BJP President Ashish Shelar said, “Our demand is clear, Rahul Gandhi has been insulting Savarkar again and again. If Thackeray believes in Savarkar; who was a Marathi manoos (son of the soil) and freedom fighter then he should force Gandhi to apologise for his remarks.”
CM Eknath Shinde asked Rahul Gandhi, “Do you have the courage to spend a day in the cellular jail in Andaman?” during the Yatra. He added, “Savarkar’s insult is the insult of the country. Savarkar was an ardent Hindutva follower and patriot, he also faced torture in jail. We will not tolerate his insult and thus the ‘Gaurav Yatra’ has been started.”
Rahul Gandhi’s statement drew flak from his rivals and allies alike. Congress ally and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said “I want to tell Rahul Gandhi that we walked with you in your ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ as it was for the fight to save democracy. But I want to openly tell Rahul Gandhi that Savarkar is a God-like figure for us and we will not tolerate his insult,” warning Rahul Gandhi on his comments against Veer Savarkar.
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