Sena responds to BJP criticisms, questions delay in awarding Bharat Ratna to Savarkar

BJP had called out Sena for failing to rein in ruling partner Congress’ criticism of VD Savarkar.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut

A day after the BJP slammed Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray for being silent on the Congress’s criticism of V D Savarkar, the Shiv Sena on Monday hit back and asked why the BJP has not yet given Bharat Ratna to the late Hindutva ideologue.

The Congress is Shiv Sena’s ally in the State’s ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi, which also includes the NCP as a partner.

Talking to reporters in Mumbai, Shiv Sena’s chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut reiterated that Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award, be given to the “great and Hindutvavadi leader” Savarkar.

During the Shiv Sena’s annual Dussehra rally on Sunday, party president Thackeray delivered his speech at the Savarkar hall in Dadar area in Mumbai due to COVID-19 norms instead of the usual venue, the sprawling Shivaji Park.

Later, State BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye accused the ruling party of compromising on Hindutva for power.

“Uddhav Thackeray did not say a word about the Congress criticising Savarkar and now he had to address the Dussehra rally from the Savarkar auditorium. This is poetic justice,” Mr.Updhaye further said.

Reacting to the comments, Mr. Raut on Monday said the Shiv Sena has “never kept quiet on the issues relating to Savarkar and it will never do so“.

Without naming the BJP, Mr. Raut said the party should browse through history to know the Shiv Sena’s stand on issues involving Savarkar.

“Veer Savarkar has always been the mentor of the Shiv Sena and Hindutva. Those who are raising questions on us...why are they not giving the Bharat Ratna to Veer Savarkar?” the Rajya Sabha member asked.

“You have given it to many people during the past six- seven years. What is the difficulty in giving the Bharat Ratna to Veer Savarkar?” Mr. Raut sought to know.

The Shiv Sena parted ways with long-term ally BJP after the Maharashtra Assembly elections last year following differences over the issue of sharing of the Chief Ministerial post on a rotational basis.

The Thackeray-led party later formed the government in the State in alliance with the ideologically different NCP and the Congress, which has been a bitter critic of Savarkar.