Just Respect Not Enough, Uddhav Thackeray Should Make Rahul Gandhi Apologise: Savarkar's Grandson

The grandson of VD Savarkar has asked Uddhav Thackeray to make the disqualified Congress leader Rahul Gandhi apologise for his remarks on Savarkar.

The grandson of VD Savarkar has come heavily on Rahul Gandhi's 'Savarkar apologise' remark and asked Uddhav Thackeray to make the disqualified Congress leader apologise for the same. He said it was really sad to see how his grandfather's name was begin 'defamed' by Rahul Gandhi.

Talking to the news agency ANI, Savarka's grandson Ranjit Savarkar said, "Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut have a lot of respect for Savarkar personally but just respect is not enough... they should go ahead and ask Rahul Gandhi to apologise for his statements on Savarkar."

"It is really sad to see how Savarkar's name is being defamed by Rahul Gandhi for politics. It seems they are polarising Muslims also. In Maharashtra also, politics is being done in Savarkar's name. I request not to use the name of Savarkar for their own benefit," he further said.

Recalling an old comment of Uddhav Thackeray, he said, "Uddhav Thackeray in 2018 said that he will hit Rahul Gandhi with shoes if the latter makes any kind of statement like this. I am asking him to do so but at least he can make Rahul Gandhi apologise for his comments on Savarkar."

The Opposition leaders, including representatives of Congress and 17 other parties, have decided not to comment on sensitive topics like Veer Savarkar after Rahul Gandhi’s remarks irked Uddhav Thackeray and his faction of the Shiv Sena. During a press conference on Saturday last week, Rahul Gandhi denied apologising for his London speech saying “I am not Savarkar”. 

Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, upset with the remark, skipped the dinner meet at Mallikarjun Kharge’s home on Monday evening and had earlier warned of a “rift” in the Opposition alliance in Maharashtra if Rahul Gandhi did not “stop insulting our God”.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also said that they have spoken to Kharge and will speak to Rahul Gandhi also over the issue. 

"...Veer Savarkar was a revolutionary, freedom fighter, social reformer. We have always respected Veer Savarkar...He should not be insulted...We have spoken to Mallikarjun Kharge & we'll speak to Rahul Gandhi," he said.