Rajasthan BJP president and Member of Parliament Madan Rathore on Monday strongly defended freedom fighter Veer Savarkar, stating that his contributions to India’s independence movement merit the country’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna.
Reacting to recent remarks by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Savarkar, Rathore said that Savarkar was a great patriot who made immense sacrifices for the nation. He highlighted that Savarkar was sentenced to Kala Pani at the Cellular Jail and endured severe punishment during British rule, yet never lost hope or commitment to India’s freedom struggle.
“Despite facing immense suffering, he continued to fight for the country. Such a great man undoubtedly deserves the Bharat Ratna,” Rathore said, adding that opposition to honouring Savarkar stems from an incomplete understanding of history.
The BJP leader emphasised that Savarkar’s role in shaping nationalist thought and inspiring generations of freedom fighters must be viewed in totality, rather than through selective narratives. He said that acknowledging Savarkar’s contribution is essential to presenting a balanced and factual account of India’s freedom movement.
Rathore’s remarks come amid renewed political debate over Savarkar’s legacy and calls from BJP leaders to formally recognise his contributions at the national level. The issue continues to draw sharp reactions across the political spectrum, reflecting differing interpretations of historical events.
The BJP has consistently maintained that Savarkar’s sacrifices and ideological influence deserve greater recognition in India’s national discourse.
