BJP Minister defends 'Bharat Ratna for Savarkar' pitch, slams Congress

Agriculture Minister in Mahar Lal Khattar-led government in Haryana, OP Dhankar, has responded to Congress' objection over BJP's promise to award Bharat Ratna to Veer Savarkar. He said, "t even a single Congressman has gone to 'kala pani'. I want to ask Manmohan Singh Ji did he kw any Congressman given kala pani punishment? But Gandhiji plate was re. I asked at cellular prison wher Gandhi h been to kala pani? I was told he never came but one of his letters did.

'Congress can't tolerate anyone getting bigger than Gandhis and Nehru'

He ded, "Whereas Savarkar is a man who spent his life in kala pani, saw his bror and colleagues killed by hanging and yet Congress couldn't bear his plate to be put up in that prison. Congress can't tolerate anyone getting bigger than Gandhis and Nehru and so (y) don't want to ackwledge anyone else's contribution in freedom movement," said Dhankar on sidelines of a public meeting he dressed while requesting people to vote for him. He is contesting Assembly elections from Bli seat.

Dhankar, who h been coordinator for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious project of State of Unity, said in Andaman re is a place where death penalty was given to 79 prisoners. "Who are se 79 people? When Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose secured independence for Andaman and Nicobar and hoisted flag re. But y did t let it come out. What if Nehru's flag looks pale in front of his? And it was Manmohan government under whose rule Savarkar's plate was removed," said BJP leer.

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't in favour of Hindutva ideology that Savarkar Ji patronised'

While dressing media in Mumbai, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh h said, "We are t against Savarkar, but question is we are t in favour of Hindutva ideology that Savarkar Ji patronised and stood for." 

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BJP's manifesto promises Bharat Ratna for Veer Savarkar

In BJP's Maharashtra manifesto, saffron party me a pitch for houring Swatantraveer Savarakar with Bharat Ratna - highest civilian hour awarded to Indians. It also pushed for Bharat Ratna for educational reformers Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule. BJP released its poll manifesto ahe of Oct 21 poll date in presence of CM Devendra Fnavis and party working president J P Nda in Mumbai. Manifesto is titled - 'Sampanna, Samruddha, Samarth Maharashtra.' 

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(With ANI inputs)