BJP unhappy with MP Anant Hegde's shocking 'Mahatma's Satyagraha was drama' spiel: Sources

BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde in a controversial statement described freedom struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi as "drama" and said his "blood boiled" when he read history and "such people came to be called Mahatma". News ncy ANI, quoting BJP sources said that  party's top leadership is unhappy with Anant Hegde's statement and he has been asked to issue an unconditional apology. 

'It was an adjustment freedom struggle'

While addressing a public event in Bengaluru on Saturday, Lok Sabha MP from Uttara Kannada said entire freedom movement was "std with consent and support of British". "ne of se so-called leaders were beaten up by cops even once. ir independence movement was one big drama. It was std by se leaders with approval of British. It was t a genuine fight. It was an adjustment freedom struggle," he said.

'My blood boils when I read history'

senior BJP leader also termed Mahatma Gandhi's hunger strikes and satyagraha a "drama". "People supporting Congress keep saying that India got independence because of fast unto death and satyagraha. This is t true. British did t leave country because of satyagraha," he said. "Britishers gave independence out of frustration. My blood boils when I read history. Such people become Mahatma in our country," Hegde said in his concluding statement.

Karnataka BJP distanced itself from Hegde’s statements, saying it doesn’t approve of what he has said. State BJP spokesperson G Madhusudhan said RSS holds Mahatma Gandhi in high esteem and won’t support such “cheap” remarks.

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Congress attacks BJP

Senior Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi took a swipe at BJP over Hegde's remark and said that PM Narendra Modi's reaction to controversy was awaited. "Awaiting Narendra Modi who invokes Mahatma Gandhi at drop of a hat especially when repackaging his ideas & to gain international credibility to comment on Mr Hegde who is a senior BJP leader," he said in a tweet.

Hegde, who is a six-time Lok Sabha member is t new to controversies. Last year, he sparked a row by calling Congress president Rahul Gandhi a “hybrid product that can be found only in Congress laboratory”. He said Gandhi claims to be a Brahmin “despite being born to a Muslim far and a Christian mor”.

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