Not with my icon, you don't

Radha Rajadhyaksha and Nina Martyris / TNN / Aug 28, 2004, 03:47 IST

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When nationalists, rationalists, rightists and leftists jostle for space in an eclectic political pantheon, a fractious fall-out between their followers is almost inevitable. Over the years, controversies over icons have sparked brawls and riots.

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">Mahatma Gandhi Brief History: A modern-day prophet of ahimsa who influenced people across the board, from leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and the Dalai Lama to counter-culture totem Joan Baez, labour leader Cesar Chavez and Apple Computers founder Steve Jobs. Following: Millions of ordinary Indians.Roads and institutions everywhere are named after him, and, ironically enough, high-denomination currency notes bear image of the man who believed that poverty was a virtue. Gandhiism is studied in university courses over the world. Controversies: A spurt of revisionism has led to Gandhi''s halo being stripped not only by the right-wing Hindus, but by everybody seeking to prop up more ignored or shadowy figures in the freedom struggle. For instance, films and plays on personalities from Gandhi''s killer Nathuram Godse to Bhagat Singh has reviled/lampooned Gandhi in recent times. Jawaharlal Nehru Brief History: Gandhi''s Cambridge-educated disciple and the first prime minister of independent India whose Fabian socialism set the compass for its political and economic policy. Was instrumental in starting the Non-Aligned Movement. Following: The Indian National Congress, which has virtually been the fiefdom of the Nehru dynasty. But Nehru''s followers include intellectuals and historians who espouse his pluralist, socialist ideology. Controversies: BJP leader Gopinath Munde recently claimed that Nehru had maligned Shivaji in his Discovery Of India, but his ignorance was exposed. In 1995, Congress activists had burnt copies of Salman Rushdie''s The Moor''s Last Sigh in which a dog was called Jawaharlal. V D Savarkar Brief History: Perhaps the most controversial figure in the freedom struggle, Savarkar cannot be seen in black-and-white terms. The sacrifices of his early life have been negated by his trial in the Gandhi assassination case, As a member of the right-wing Hindu Mahasabha, Savarkar''s militant slogan was: ''Hinduise politics, Militarise Hindus''. Following: The BJP brought Savarkar out of the shadows during its stint in power. However, certain historians claim that Savarkar has been hijacked even by the RSS for political expediency. Controversies: Mani Shankar Aiyar''s demanding the removal of Savarkar''s quotes from the Swatantrya Jyot in the Cellular Jail at Andaman is currently exercising political parties. B R Ambedkar Brief History: Emerged as one of the greatest minds in modern India. Was the architect of the Indian Constitution, rated as one of the finest in the world. His consistent struggle for the upliftment of the Dalits was unfortunately cut short by his untimely death. Following: His own Republican Party of India (in splinters today) and other backward-class parties like the BSP. While Hindutva parties have also tried to appropriate Ambedkar for their own ends, his true worshippers are millions of ordinary Dalits. Controversies: The Shiv Sena opposed the renaming of Marathwada University after Ambedkar, triggering riots. In 1988, the party demanded a ban on his Riddles Of Hinduism in which he had criticised Hindu gods. Vallabhbhai Patel Brief History: Best known as Gandhi''s second lieutenant who lost out to Nehru in the prime ministerial sweepstakes, the Iron Man''s biggest achievement was getting 565 princely states to join the newly independent Indian state. Following: Revered in Gujarat and by votaries of a rightist economy. In the last few years, this staunch Congressman has been appropriated by the BJP, the most abhorrent manifestation of this being the party''s sobriquet of ''Chhote Sardar'' for Gujarat CM Narendra Modi. Controversies: During L K Advani''s rath yatra in 1990, Patel''s support of the reconstruction of the Somnath temple was cited. Opponents later said the reconstruction of a temple ravaged in the 11th century was very different from destroying a mosque and building a temple on the site. Subhas Chandra Bose Brief History: Founder of the Indian National Army, he collaborated with the Axis powers during World War II in an attempt to take on the British Empire. In the Gandhi-led atmosphere of pacifism, Bose was one of the few who advocated and led a militant movement after he split from Congress. Following: A hero in Bengal, Bose was regarded with reservation by communists, who felt the British war effort against fascism needed to be supported. However today, the communists also treat him as a hero. Controversies: The biggest controversy remains the one surrounding his death-many Bengalis never accepted that Bose died in a plane crash in 1945.</div> </div>

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