“Can’t ignore Savarkar’s sacrifice, but…”: Sharad Pawar amid Rahul Gandhi’s comment row


PTI, Apr 2, 2023, 11:44 AM IST

 

Nagpur: Nobody can ignore late Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar’s sacrifice for the country’s independence struggle but disagreements over him cannot be made a national issue today as there are many pressing matters to focus on, said Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday.

Defending Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is being targeted by the Bharatiya Janata Party for speaking about issues in India on foreign soil, he said this is not the first time an Indian has spoken about issues in the country while abroad.

Pawar was speaking at the Press Club in Nagpur, where he also visited Union minister Nitin Gadkari’s home.

To a query on whether he spoke to Rahul Gandhi about Savarkar and if the Congress leader would slow down in his criticism of the late Hindutva ideologue, Pawar said leaders of 18-20 political parties recently sat and discussed major issues before the country.

The BJP has accused Gandhi of repeatedly “insulting” Savarkar. It is also organising Savarkar Gaurav Yatra in his honour.

“I suggested that there is a need for us to deliberate on the way the country is being run by those in power,” he said.

Pawar said, “Today, Savarkar is not a national issue, it is an old thing. We had said a few things about Savarkar but it was not personal. It was against Hindu Maha Sabha. But there is another side to it as well. We cannot ignore the sacrifice made by Savarkar ji for the independence of the country.”

About 32 years ago, Pawar said, he had spoken in Parliament about Savarkar’s progressive views. He said Savarkar built a house in Ratnagiri and also constructed a small temple in front of it. “He deputed a person from the Valmiki community to perform puja in the temple. I think this was a very progressive thing,” said Pawar.

The NCP leader said there is no need to thrust Savarkar into the national narrative especially because there many other major issues concerning the common public.

On the BJP’s criticism of Gandhi, Pawar said the Congress leader also has the freedom to put his opinion like everyone else.

As if it is proper for a leader to speak about issues concerning India on foreign soil, Pawar said one should not give much importance to it as this has not been done for the first time.

The NCP leader leaders criticised the government in the past as well. “Only now such issues are being brought up repeatedly. If people feel agitated over something in the country and if an Indian talks about it, then I think those issues should be addressed.” To a query if he thinks Lok Sabha and state elections will be held together in 2024, Pawar said they won’t happen at the same time.

During his Nagpur visit, Pawar also visited Union minister Nitin Gadkari at the latter’s home and called it a courtesy visit. On the request of Gadkari to Pawar, a sub-centre of Vasantdada Sugar Institute, Pune, is coming up in Nagpur. Pawar is the president of this institute.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Non-performance of batters is worrying, we will strive to do something special in Australia: Rohit

K-Rail can be implemented if technical issues in design addressed, says Centre

Naxalism will be wiped out from country by March 2026: Home Minister Amit Shah

How biscuits played an unconventional yet key role in anti-terror operation in Srinagar

Koderma stone industry to be revived with Rs 500 cr special package: Shah

Journalists facing atrocities under BJP regime: SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav

UP: Villagers hold 2 policemen hostage, accuse them of extortion

Related Articles More

K-Rail can be implemented if technical issues in design addressed, says Centre

Naxalism will be wiped out from country by March 2026: Home Minister Amit Shah

India wants to grow with world: EAM Jaishankar

How biscuits played an unconventional yet key role in anti-terror operation in Srinagar

Delhi: Teen shot dead in Shahdara, 3 minors apprehended

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

Non-performance of batters is worrying, we will strive to do something special in Australia: Rohit

K-Rail can be implemented if technical issues in design addressed, says Centre

Naxalism will be wiped out from country by March 2026: Home Minister Amit Shah

India wants to grow with world: EAM Jaishankar

How biscuits played an unconventional yet key role in anti-terror operation in Srinagar

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.