Expressing “pain” over a section of people questioning Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s patriotism, union home minister Amit Shah asked them to visit Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to understand the sacrifices the freedom fighter along with others made for this country. His remarks came close on the heels of a controversy sparked by defence minister Rajnath Singh’s recent comment that the Hindutva icon had filed mercy petitions before the British on the advice of Mahatma Gandhi.
While addressing a small gathering as part of 75 years of India’s Independence that the government is celebrating as ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, at the Cellular Jail in Port Blair, Shah said, “Mahan (great) Vinayak Savarkar ji didn’t get the title of ‘Veer’ from the government. He earned the title with the love of 130 crore people of our country. It is unfortunate that there is a section of people who question the role of Veer Savarkar despite the atrocities he faced during the freedom struggle. They question his patriotism. I feel very bad. Not the least, they (hinting at the previous government at the Centre) also removed his name from an important installation.”
Shah also laid a wreath at a memorial to the martyrs of the freedom struggle. “I request all those critics of Savarkar to please visit Andaman and all their doubts will be cleared about his sacrifice and his role during the freedom struggle. He gave a message to the entire world that no one can stop him along with other freedom fighters from achieving independence,” he said. “Unki deshbhakti par sawal mujhe bahut dukh pahunchata hai (I feel bad when someone raises questions over his patriotism).”
Shah said Savarkar turned Cellular Jail into a “teerthsthan” (shrine). “He gave a message to the world that no one can stop him from getting his rights despite inhuman torture. He had said that making India independent is his birthright,” the minister said.
Shah also visited the cell of freedom fighter Sachin Sanyal and garlanded his portrait.
“It was an emotional moment for me. Most probably he was the only one among all these freedom fighters who was sent twice to ‘Kala Pani’,” he said.
On West Bengal’s role in India’s independence movement, he said Bengal has made great contributions to the freedom struggle. “When I came here, I respectfully read the list of the names of all the freedom fighters that were kept here until 1938. Bengal and Punjab have the pride of having the highest number of freedom fighters,” he said.
While praising various initiatives taken by the Prime Minister, Shah said the country is progressing fast under the leadership of PM Modi because of his vision and effort. “Today India is at the no. 1 position when it comes to democracy…Through ‘Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, PM Modi wants to make today’s youth understand the importance of freedom. He wants them to shape India with their ideas and thoughts and when we talk about ‘Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, Andaman and Nicobar Islands play an important role,” he said.
After addressing a small gathering in Cellular Jail, the minister went to ‘Flag Point’ near Ramakrishna Mission in Port Blair. This is the exact spot where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the Indian flag for the first time on Indian soil, on December 30, 1943.
On Saturday, Shah will carry out an aerial survey of various projects in the area and around 1.30 pm he will visit Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island to inspect it. In the evening, around 4 pm, he will address a small gathering at Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Sabhaghar in Port Blair.
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