Savarkar row: Grandson claims "Indira Gandhi was Savarkar's follower"

Talking to the media, Ranjeet Savarkar claimed that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was the follower of his grandfather Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (also known as 'Veer' Savarkar). Citing her actions such as carrying out nuclear tests and defeating Pakistan, he alleged that everything she did was “against Nehru and Gandhi’s philosophy”. Furthermore, he highlighted the secular credentials of Veer Savarkar. His remarks came in the light of BJP proposing Veer Savarkar’s name for Bharat Ratna in its manifesto for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections.  

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He said, "Indira Gandhi honoured Veer Savarkar, I strongly feel she was his follower because she brought Pakistan to its knees, strengthened army, and foreign relations, she also did nuclear tests. All this is against Nehru and Gandhi's philosophy.” 

‘This issue should be over’ 

Ranjeet Savarkar also rubbished the notion that Veer Savarkar was indicted by the Kapur Commission, stressing that even former PM Jawaharlal Nehru did not go into appeal after the court acquitted him.   

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He remarked, “Even the government, Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister at that time, he didn't go on appeal. Secondly, the propaganda that the Kapur Commission had indicted him is totally false. It had not indicted him, there was no new evidence against Savarkar as it is alleged. He has the complete report of Kapur Commission with him. Supreme Court last year has clarified that the Kapur Commission in its findings has nowhere indicted Savarkar. So, I think this issue should be over. And if you are still talking about it, then it means you don't believe in the judiciary.” 

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‘Come for an open debate’ 

Furthermore, Ranjeet Savarkar invited people for an open debate on the several allegations levelled against his grandfather.  

“We have got documents, facts, and everything. We can prove that every allegation against Savarkar is false. And I challenge those, who think they are right, to come for an open debate. You chose your place and time,” he opined.  

(With ANI inputs)

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