The Karnataka Congress government’s recent decision to remove the portrait of the iconic freedom fighter Veer Savarkar from the Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi has triggered a fierce backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and people across the state. Many congress leaders of the state government justified the removal, arguing that Savarkar, despite his contributions to India’s freedom movement, had little to no significant influence on Karnataka’s history. This controversial move has ignited a political storm, with the BJP accusing the Congress of attempting to rewrite history and disrespecting a prominent leader who made immense sacrifices for India’s independence.
The portrait of Savarkar, installed by the previous BJP government under Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in 2022, has become a symbol of this growing political rift. The Congress, which has long expressed its opposition to Savarkar, claims that he did not actively fight against British colonial rule and, instead, sought clemency from the British. However, this view is sharply contested by BJP leaders, historians, and those who revere Savarkar as one of India’s foremost freedom fighters.
Ranjit Savarkar, the grandson of the late freedom fighter, expressed his strong disapproval of the Congress government’s decision. “I can’t expect anything else from the Congress government. They praise Tipu Sultan but insult Savarkar. If they continue to disrespect Savarkar, they will have to pay for it,” he said, emphasizing that such actions could have long-lasting political repercussions. He also raised pertinent questions about the comparative contributions of other historical figures, particularly Jawaharlal Nehru, whose legacy Congress continues to promote over Savarkar’s.
This controversy has only been exacerbated by the remarks of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has consistently targeted Savarkar’s legacy. On one occasion, Gandhi labeled Savarkar a “coward,” a statement that has further fueled anger within the BJP. The BJP has already called for an open apology from Gandhi, challenging him to publicly praise Savarkar in the Maharashtra Assembly during recent elections, though this challenge remains unaddressed. This has only deepened the political divide surrounding the issue.
BJP leaders have voiced their concerns over the possibility that the Congress government will replace Savarkar’s portrait with that of Jawaharlal Nehru, suggesting a preference for dynastic politics and appeasement of a particular political ideology. Senior BJP leader R. Ashoka, who now serves as the Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka, has warned that the removal of Savarkar’s portrait would not be accepted. He pointed out that this move would highlight the Congress’s focus on dynastic politics, rather than celebrating the diversity of India’s freedom struggle.
Ashoka further emphasised the Congress government’s continued support for Tipu Sultan, a historical figure whose legacy is highly divisive. While Tipu Sultan is lauded by some as a fearless freedom fighter, others criticize him for his oppressive policies toward Hindus. Ashoka accused the Congress of aligning with forces that prioritize minority appeasement and undermine the legacy of leaders like Savarkar who embodied the spirit of India’s fight for freedom. “The Congress is determined to push Tipu Sultan’s ideologies and diminish the legacy of leaders like Savarkar,” he said.
The origins of this issue can be traced back to December 2022, when the BJP government, in a symbolic gesture, chose to install Savarkar’s portrait in the legislative assembly on the inaugural day of the winter session. This act immediately sparked protests from Congress, who unveiled portraits of other prominent national figures, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Patel, BR Ambedkar, Swami Vivekananda, and Basavanna, but notably left out Nehru’s image. The omission further illustrates the ideological divide and the Congress party’s insistence on placing Nehru at the forefront of India’s independence narrative.
Tensions reached a boiling point when it was revealed that the Congress government is considering removing the portrait of Savarkar in favour of Nehru. In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, Karnataka Assembly Speaker UT Khader assured the public that no decision regarding the removal had yet been made. “There has been no decision regarding the removal of the photo in the assembly. We will keep the citizens of the state informed about any changes made at the assembly,” he said.
However, the damage to the political atmosphere has already been done. Critics argue that the Congres Party’s stance is part of a broader effort to diminish the contributions of certain leaders who do not fit into their ideological framework. In June 2023, the Congress government also removed references to Savarkar from history textbooks, further intensifying the backlash from opposition leaders.
Maharashtra BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule condemned the Congress government’s move to remove Savarkar’s portrait, calling it a “disrespectful act” that dishonors the legacy of one of India’s most significant freedom fighters. “The removal of Savarkar’s portrait is not just an insult to his contributions but an affront to the nation’s freedom struggle,” Bawankule said. He also criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for remaining silent on the issue, accusing him of betraying the ideals of Savarkar by aligning with the Congress.
कर्नाटकातील काँग्रेस सरकारनं विधानसभा सभागृहातून स्वातंत्र्यवीर सावरकर यांची प्रतिमा काढून टाकण्याचा निर्णय घेतला. हा निर्णय अत्यंत निंदनीय आणि भारतीय स्वातंत्र्य चळवळीचा अपमान करणारा आहे.
स्वातंत्र्यवीर सावरकरांनी भारतमातेच्या स्वातंत्र्यासाठी भोगलेल्या यातना, त्यांचे बलिदान… pic.twitter.com/HAf4TMSC44
— Chandrashekhar Bawankule (@cbawankule) December 9, 2024
Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje also weighed in, voicing her outrage over the Congress government’s actions. “None of us has the right to humiliate Veer Savarkar. Did Siddaramaiah or DK Shivakumar participate in the freedom struggle or endure the black water imprisonment in Andaman like him? No! Then what gives them the right to remove his photos from Suvarna Soudha?” she asked.
None of us has the right to humiliate Veer Savarkar. Did Siddaramaiah or DK Shivakumar participate in the freedom struggle or endure the black water imprisonment in Andaman like him ? No! Then what gives them the right to remove his photos from Suvarna Soudha?
1/2 pic.twitter.com/mgTvz3uND2— Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) December 9, 2024
The Congress Party’s move to remove Savarkar’s portrait from the legislative assembly represents not only a political issue but a cultural and historical dispute over how India’s independence movement should be remembered and celebrated. The BJP has vowed to resist this decision with all means at their disposal, including organizing protests and public demonstrations. Meanwhile, the Congress party maintains its stance, emphasising the importance of promoting the legacy of leaders like Nehru and Tipu Sultan.
As tensions continue to rise in Karnataka, the political landscape remains deeply divided over the removal of Savarkar’s portrait. This controversy highlights the ongoing ideological battle within the state and the country as a whole, where the legacy of historical figures like Savarkar is used as a powerful tool in the political discourse. The fate of Savarkar’s portrait will likely serve as a defining issue in Karnataka politics, with both parties seeking to shape the narrative around India’s freedom struggle for years to come.
