‘Savarkar’s portrait at UP Legislative Council gallery insults freedom fighters’: Congress demands its removal

Calling the installation of Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar’s portrait in the gallery of UP Legislative Council “an insult to freedom fighters”, the Congress has demanded its removal from the gallery.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had on Tuesday dedicated the renovated and beautified Legislative Council to the public. He had also inaugurated the picture gallery consisting of portraits of freedom fighters, chairpersons of the Council and name plates of the current members.

Congress MLC Deepak Singh has written a letter to the Council’s Chairman seeking the immediate removal of the portrait.

“The installation of the picture of Savarkarji along with that of great freedom fighters who withstood atrocities of the British and yet did not bow before them is an insult to all those who continued to bear all kind of tortures and kept fighting for independence,” Singh said in his letter to Chairman Ramesh Yadav on Tuesday.

Talking to National Herald over the phone, Deepak Singh said that the Chairman has ordered an inquiry into the matter and directed the principal secretary of the Council to take necessary action.

When asked why he objected to the installation of Savarkar’s portrait, he said, “Savarkar was the only one during the time of freedom struggle to beg for mercy. Not only this, but he also demanded a monthly pension of Rs 60 that time, which the Britishers accepted.”

“Savarkar’s actions reflected opportunism. BJP does the same,” he added.

Following objections raised by the Congress, Samajwadi Party has also opposed the installation of Savarkar’s portrait at the gallery.

“All those who contributed to the freedom struggle should be honoured, but there are different kinds of allegations, documents and stories that raise question marks on his role in the freedom struggle,” the party’s national president and former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav said.

Meanwhile, BJP defended the installation of the portrait. The spokesperson of the party’s state unit Chandramohan said, “The life and struggle of Savarkar is an inspiration for the people across the country. The Congress and Samajwadi Party leaders are indulging in politics to serve their vested political interests.”