BJP govt nominates Savarkar for India’s highest civil award

• In its manifesto of 2019 elections, the BJP promised it will urge the centre to award ‘Bharat Ratna’ to Veer Savarkar over his contribution to Hindutva movement.
• The Indian govt says recommendations for the award are received from various quarters and no formal recommendation for the award is necessary.
• Veer Savarkar was a part of Hindutva movement in the sub-continent between 1910 and 1920.

(Karachi) India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has nominated its freedom fighter Veer Savarkar for the country’s highest civil award ‘Bharat Ratna’, Indian media reported.

In this regard, the Lok Sabha has asked the ministry of home affairs to explain whether the government received any recommendations regarding the matter and the progress made do far. The Indian government responded that recommendations for the award are received from various quarters, however, no formal recommendation for the award is necessary and the decision is taken from time to time.

In its manifesto of 2019 elections, the BJP promised it will urge the centre to award ‘Bharat Ratna’ to Veer Savarkar over his contribution to Hindutva movement. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi considers Veer as his idol and admires him for his role in independence movement.

Veer Savarkar, was a part of Hindutva movement in the sub-continent between 1910 and 1920. However, he was also an accused in the murder of Mahatma Gandhi and has also served imprisonment during the British rule over various charges. He was awarded 50 years imprisonment and was jailed in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He was later released in 1921.

The BJP is convinced that all the charges against him are part of a long-term plan and to defame the Hindutva movement.

However, many political figures and opposition parties agree that the BJP’s move will hardly earn them votes in Maharashtra elections and that the initiative is politically driven.