Savarkar row: Joshi slams Siddaramaiah

Hubballi / Dharwad: Veer Savarkar was in jail for 11 years and faced Kala Pani Saja. No one among the current fake Gandhians has faced or gone through such situations, Union minister Pralhad Joshi said on Friday.
“Despite having differences of opinion on some issues, Mahatma Gandhi never denied Veer Savarkar was a patriot. Congress leaders should understand it,” Joshi said.
The minister said that former chief minister Siddaramaiah was indulging in divisive politics. “Just to please Muslims, Siddaramaiah is busy in making statements against Veer Savarkar. Being a former CM, Siddaramaiah should not indulge in making such statements,” he said.
“Siddaramaiah thinks that by blaming RSS and Veer Savarkar he can get votes. Making statements against Veer Savarkar is equally wrong as throwing eggs. The BJP will not support throwing eggs or any other agitation involving violence,” Joshi said.
Joshi condemns egg attack
Joshi also condemned the hurling of eggs on leader of the opposition Siddaramaiah in Kodagu.
Speaking to reporters after participating in a private function in Dharwad, he told reporters that he was against the culture of waving black flags and hurling eggs on anyone.
“While I will not justify the attack on Siddaramaiah, we should also ponder over what Siddaramaiah said about Veer Savarkar. If he has no respect for Savarkar, there are others who acknowledge the Savarkar’s sacrifice and respect him,” he said.
“Siddaramaiah has hurt their sentiments by insulting Savarkar. Even Mahatma Gandhi and Indira Gandhi had hailed Savarkar’s role in the freedom struggle. Siddaramaiah should know it,” Joshi said.
Pointing out that the erstwhile Congress leaders had respect for Savarkar despite having ideological differences, Joshi said the present Congress is a fake Congress.
“Siddaramaiah had criticised this fake Congress and its leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul. Now, he is trying to woo the fake leaders. Even after joining Congress, many a time Siddaramaiah said the Congress should be thrown out and then tried to correct himself by saying the BJP should be ousted. Still Siddaramaiah has not gelled well with Congress,” Joshi said.
He said there was no lapse by the Kodagu police in providing security to Siddaramaiah and the police had done their job.