Opposition To Steer Clear From Commenting On Savarkar After Uddhav Skips Meet

Uddhav Thackeray, 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 in Mahrashtra

Uddhav Thackeray, upset with Rahul Gandhi's Savarkar remarks, skipped Opposition meet on Monday.

Source : PTI File Photo

New Delhi: 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. 

#BreakingNews: अब सावरकर पर हमला नहीं बोलेंगे राहुल गांधी!

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During a press conference on Saturday last week following his disqualification as Lok Sabha MP following conviction in the 2019 defamation case, Rahul Gandhi said “My name is not Savarkar” and denied to apologise when asked about his London speech. 

Rahul Gandhi  had said that democracy was under pressure in India during his lecture at Cambridge University which drew flak from the Bharatiya Janata Party who demanded an apology from the Congress leader. 

But Gandhi’s remark on the right-wing icon did not go well with Thackeray who asked not to make any statements that will create “fissures” within the Opposition. 

"I want to tell Rahul Gandhi that we have come together, that's right, we have come together to save democracy and constitution in this country. But do not make any statements that will create fissures," he had said.