Maha Speaker turns down BJP demand for resolution honouring Savarkar

MUMBAI: Maharashtra assembly Speaker Nana Patole on Wednesday rejected the BJP’S demand for a state government resolution honouring Hindutva i con Vinayak Damodar Savarkar for his contribution to the Independence struggle, triggering protest from the Opposition party.

Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis also demanded that the government ban “Shidori”, the in-house magazine of the Maharashtra Congress for publishing “objectionable” references to Savarkar. He tore a copy of the magazine.

Speaking in the Assembly, Fadnavis demanded that the government move a resolution on the death anniversary of Savarkar for his sacrifices and contribution to the freedom struggle. To this, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said that Fadnavis, a former chief minister, had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 20, 2018 and January 17, 2019 urging the Centre to honour Savarkar with Bharat Ratna. “I wonder why there had been a delay when the BJP was in power in Maharashtra and also at the Centre,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pawar said that everyone has respect for Savarkar and his contribution to the freedom struggle, but not everyone agreed with some of his views. At this point, Patole rejected the BJP’S demand for the government resolution on honouring Savarkar and continued with the rest of the agenda, which angered the MLAS of the BJP.

Some MLAS of the BJP entered the Well of the House, holding placards and shouted slogans.

MEANWHILE, PAWAR SAID THAT EVERYONE HAS RESPECT FOR SAVARKAR AND HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE, BUT NOT EVERYONE AGREED WITH SOME OF HIS VIEWS