New Delhi, October 25: Tushar Gandhi, great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, on Friday hit out the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Sawayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for demanding Bharat Ratna for Hindutva Ideologue Vinayak Savarkar. Tushar called Savarkar "a patron of Bapu's murder". He said that Savarkar was acquitted by a court because of the absence of proof and not because the court found him innocent. Congress, AIMIM Hit Back at BJP For Demanding Bharat Ratna For Vinayak Savarkar in Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2019 Manifesto.

Tushar said, “I think it is important that we understand the real objective and conspiracy behind Bapu's murder, at a time when the patron of Bapu's murder is considered to be given Bharat Ratna.” He further stated that the RSS should remember the fact that Savarkar may have been acquitted in the case, but Court did not pronounce him innocent. Adding more, Tushar said, “The court only said that we've not had enough evidence presented to us to prove his guilt beyond doubt.”

Tushar Gandhi's Statement:

Last week, Savarkar’s grandson Ranjeet Savarkar slammed All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi for opposing to the demand of conferring Bharat Ratna on Savarkar. He also called Savarkar a secular man and asked Owaisi to follow his belief. He also told the AIMIM chief to keep aside religion before entering Parliament.

The BJP in its election manifesto for the assembly elections promised that it would demand Bharat Ratna for the RSS ideologue along with social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule. However, the BJP’s announcement drew flak from various opposition parties, including the Congress. Senior Congress leader Debabrata Saikia even said that the demand to give Bharat Ratna to Savarkar is an insult to Mahatma Gandhi.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 25, 2019 05:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).