Karnataka govt to remove Veer Savarkar's portrait from Belgaum assembly: Report

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka has decided to remove the portrait of Veer Savarkar from the legislative assembly Suvarna Soudha in Belgaum, according to a rport by News18.

The Congress government is taking the decision claiming that the freedom fighter had no contribution to the state, according to the report.

The portrait was installed by the previous Basavaraj Bommai government in 2022.

Savarkar’s grandson slams Congress

Speaking to CNN-News18, Ranjit Savarkar, grandson of the freedom fighter who was lodged in the Cellular Jail by the British government, slammed Congress’ decision warning that the party has to pay for such decisions.

“I can’t expect anything else from the Congress government. They praise Tipu Sultan but they do this to Savarkar. If they continue to insult Savarkar, they will have to pay for it,” he said.

“What is the contribution of Nehru in comparison to Veer Savarkar?” he asked.

Congress’ stance 

Congress has been maintaining its stance that Savarkar did not fight for the freedom of the country and sought “forgiveness” from the British rule.

Rahul Gandhi has led the charge against the freedom fighter, and he has raised the issue time and again on various platforms. He termed Savarkar a “coward” on one of the occasions, drawing the BJP’s ire.

Rahul was dared by the BJP in the Maharashtra Assembly Polls last month to praise Savarkar publicly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had thrown the challenge to the MVA allies to get Rahul Gandhi to praise Savarkar.