Ashutosh on his show ‘Ashutosh ki baat’ on SatyaHindi.com, highlights four important reasons why Savarkar should not be given Bharat Ratna?
Eying Maharashtra election, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra on Tuesday said it will propose the name of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar for Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, if re-elected, along with Savitribai Phule and Jyotiba Phule.
The first reason Ashutosh gives is that when Savarkar was sent to kala paani in Andaman Nicobar, he wrote 5 letters to Britishers in which he apologized to be released from jail. In return, Savarkar offered to serve the “government in any capacity”. He was released later. On the other hand, Bhagat Singh who was barely 23 years old at the time of his martyrdom, refused to seek clemency from the British as some well-wishers and family members wanted him to do. It must, however, be pointed out that Savarkar wasn’t the only person singled out for barbaric punishment. There were nearly 500 other prisoners in Kaala Paani when Savarkar was there. But Savarkar apologised and requested for release while others didn’t. Rather they were angry over Savarkar for bowing down before Britishers.
Second reason Ashutosh gives which makes Savarkar ineligible for the award is that when the freedom fighters were braving the bullets of Britishers, Savarkar didn’t take part in any of the freedom movements and was loyal towards Britishers.
Disclosing the role of Savarkar, during Quit India Movement in 1942, Ashutosh says Savarkar and his party Hindu Mahasabha recruited thousands of people in the British army. He supported the British war effort by helping recruitment in the British Army.
Fourth reason Ashutosh cites why Savarkar is not eligible for Bharat Ratna, is that Savarkar was accused in the killing of Gandhi Ji. He was released on technical grounds while his friends Nathuram Godse and Narayan Aapte were convicted.
Meanwhile, the CPI also attacked the ruling party, saying the day may not be far for the BJP to demand Bharat Ratna for Gandhiji’s assassin Nathuram Godse.
Ashutosh says Bharat Ratna is the highest Indian award and when it is given to someone he should not have a single blot on him. If there is any allegations against one, he is not entitled to it.
The reason behind Sangh Parivar’s love for Savarkar, he says is that Savarkar was the author and originator of the concept of ‘Hindutva’ which RSS adheres to.