The unveiling of the portrait of VD Savarkar at the Legislative Assembly hall of Suvarna Vidhan Soudha, Belagavi has triggered a controversy.

Congress leaders headed by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and KPCC President D K Shivakumar staged a protest at the entrance of the Soudha before the start of the 10-day winter session of the state legislature on Monday in protest.

The Congress leaders stated that Savarkar was in no way connected to Karnataka and that the BJP leadership raked up the Savarkar issue only to divert people’s attention from core issues like the 40 percent commission in public works, rampant corruption, failure of law and order situation, and more in the state.

A group of top Congress leaders displayed portraits of icons including Kuvempu, Shishunal Sharief, and several others, demanding the government to also display their photos in the Legislative Assembly as well.

Addressing media persons during the protest, Shivakumar said, “Savarkar was a controversial person which all the people are aware of. The BJP leadership is trying to disturb the winter session by launching his portrait.

“Bommai and Kageri had informed us that the portraits of Gandhiji, Ambedkar, and other personalities will be installed at the Soudha, but we came to know about the installation of Savarkar’s portrait only through media today,” he said.

Calling Bommai as a `King of liars,’ Shivakumar said Bommai had lied to him and that he was not aware of the issue of the display of portraits at the Suvarna Vidhan Soudha. “The CM is a King of liars. Savarkar had joined hands with the Britishers and he had written a clemency petition to the British, admitting his mistakes,” said Shivakumar.

Siddaramaiah also objected to the display of Savarkar’s portrait and said the portraits of many other personalities who actually played a great role in history should be displayed at the Soudha instead.

Congress backs Tukde Tukde gang but doesn’t respect national icons like Veer Savarkar

The same Congress, which was backing the Tukde Tukde gang and, more dangerously, the terrorists who are trying to break the country, are now have objections when a veteran freedom fighter is being honoured.

It is worth mentioning here that Karnataka Congress chief D.K. Shivakumar had objected to calling the main accused in the Mangaluru blast case, Mohammed Shariq, a terrorist. Shariq was apparently influenced by videos of fugitive Zakir Naik, whose sessions were being addressed by top Congress leaders like Digvijay Singh eulogising the Islamic preacher.

"Who are these terrorists? What action has been taken? Without investigation how can they just call someone a terrorist? If they had gone into detail, we would know. Was it a terrorist act like something that happened in Mumbai, Delhi and Pulwama?" Shivakumar had questioned. The grand old party had come out in support of the so-called 'student activists' Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and terrorist Afzal Guru. Kanhaiya Kumar later joined the party.

Congress' sworn hatred for Savarkar

Party leader Rahul Gandhi has displayed his hatred towards Savarkar time and again. Only recently during his 'yatra', Gandhi said Savarkar might be an icon for the BJP and RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) but not for him. "He was jailed in Andaman for two-three years. He started writing mercy petitions," the Congress MP said, belittling the Hindutva icon. The former Congress president is known for making such derogatory comments. He claimed that Savarkar wrote a book on himself with a different name and highlighted how brave he was. "He used to take pensions from the British, work for them and work against the Congress," Gandhi further claimed.

Congress must study its own past

But before opposing, the Congress party must introspect itself and see what Indira Gandhi had written in the praise of Veer Savarkar. Her letter dated 20th May 1980 was in response to a letter written by Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak secretary Pandit Bakhle wherein he had spoken about the plans to celebrate Savarkar's birth centenary.

"I have received your letter of 8th May 1980. Veer Savarkar's daring defiance of the British Government has its own importance in the annals of our Freedom Movement. I wish success to the plans to celebrate the birth centenary of the remarkable son of India," Gandhi had written in her return reply. The fact has been confirmed by none other than eminent historian and well-known author Vaibhav Purandare, who has written a book on Savarkar, "The true story of the father of Hindutva".

He said in his book that the letter written by Indira Gandhi was authentic. Not just the letter, Indira Gandhi also condoled the death of Savarkar in 1966.

She also released a statement praising Savarkar as a revolutionary who had inspired many in the country, Purandare said. No doubt, even Indira Gandhi recognized the valiant efforts of the freedom fighter in getting independence for the country. So, it is time that Congress should look back and recognize the sacrifices of Veer Savarkar before it's too late.