Vijayapura: Taking exception to the decision of the BJP to take out Rath Yatra in the State by carrying the photo of controversial person, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, KPCC Campaign Committee Chairman M. B. Patil has asked the BJP to replace the picture with the freedom fighter of Karnataka if the party has real respect for them.
Addressing media persons on Thursday August 25, he advised Former Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa to give respect to freedom fighters of Karnataka instead of carrying pictures of controversial persons such as Savarkar.
“The BJP must carry pictures of Kittur Rani Channamma, Sangolli Rayanna, Nayaks of Surupura and Bedas of Halagali. They are freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the country and there is not an iota of controversy attached with them. On the other hand, Savarkar is the controversial person who sought mercy from British rule and wrote five letters to the then British Government to release him from jail. Do we need persons such as Savarkar or Rani Channamma or Rayanna,” he said.
He hoped that Yediyurappa would agree with him and replace the pictures. Patil also appealed to the BJP supporters to place the pictures of these freedom fighters next to Ganesha idol during Ganesh Chaturthi festival instead of the picture of Savarkar.
To a question, he said that if the BJP fails to give respect to freedom fighters of Karnataka, then the Congress will launch a Yatra to respect them. “We will consult the Congress leaders and plan to take out rallies to give respect to our freedom fighters,” Patil said.
