Karnataka: Former CM BS Yediyurappa launches Savarkar Rath Yatra in Mysuru

MYSURU: Former Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Tuesday launched Savarkar Rath Yatra at North Gate of the Mysuru Palace. The Rath Yatra is aimed at spreading awareness among people on Savarkar’s life and struggles.Speaking on the occasion Yediyurappa said that former PM Indira Gandhi had hailed Hindu Mahasabha spearhead Vinayak Damodar Savarkar as a remarkable son of India."Indira had addressed the nationalist leader as ‘Veer Savarkar’. But today there are attempts in Karnataka to sully his image," he said without taking any names.Opposition leader Siddaramaiah had disputed Savarkar’s contribution to India's freedom struggle and accused him of propagating an ideology that will divide the nation.The Rath Yatra was launched within days after activists had objected to the display of his portrait during Independence Day event hosted by the Shivamogga City Corporation at a hyper mall leading to tension in the Malnad city of Shivamogga, 300km from Bengaluru. It snowballed into a controversy with activists displaying the portrait at Ameer Ahmad Circle abutting a mosque which was opposed by a group of youths who wanted to display a portrait of Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan leading to clashes last week.Three persons were stabbed after the incident, forcing the authorities to clamp prohibitory orders in Shivamogga and Bhadravathi for a week.The Savarkar Prathistan has organised the Rath Yatra in Mysuru region for a week. Yediyurappa described Savarkar as a leader who fought for the protection of Hindu religion.India is looking to become a world leader while there are attempts to degrade leaders who fought for Indian values, he said, adding that former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee had stressed the need to carry Savarkar’s life message to the community. But those who are seeking to downplay his contributions to the freedom movement are doing him a disservice, he said. Yediyurappa stressed that Savarkar’s ideals are the guiding force for the nation. Ahead of launching the Rath Yatra, Yediyurappa told reporters that Savarkar is a nationalist. He downplayed Siddaramaiah's opposition to Savarkar. People will teach him a lesson if he continues to speak lightly against Savarkar, the BJP leader said.